<p>I'm currently choosing my schedule for my senior year. So far, I think I'm interested in this:</p>
<p>AP Government
AP Economics
AP Physics
English 4
CADD 2 (3D Animation and drafting on computers)
Elective (I'm thinking about either psychology or architecture)</p>
<p>I basically want to know how important your senior schedule is when applying to colleges. Initially, I was planning to have only 4 classes (with 2 open periods so I could go home early) since I will basically have the credits to graduate after this semester (second semester of junior year). But apparently, I've heard that colleges don't like this since it shows laziness. Is this true? Is it recommended to take a rigorous senior year schedule? Is this schedule rigorous enough?</p>
<p>BTW, this is my schedule right now:</p>
<p>CADD 1
AP Biology
AP Calculus BC
AP Language and Composition
AP US History
Drawing</p>
<p>I have an A in all my classes (except a B+ in Lang.) but I have a lot of work and I don't think I'd be able to handle another year of that much work next year. That's why I'm only taking 3 AP Classes. Also the reason I'm only taking regular English 4 my senior year is because I'm working so hard in AP Lang this year and only getting a B. Will that look bad?</p>
<p>Don’t slack off your senior year – colleges like to know that you are not getting a case of senioritis. </p>
<p>However there’s honestly no need to kill yourself. Mix in some regular/fun/easy classes in with a few challenging ones. I suggest sticking to Reg. English if you don’t like it and then taking the 3 APs you listed (perhaps minus AP Physics unless you’re a fan of the subject) and an elective or two (instead of going home early). Psych’s a pretty interesting class …</p>
<p>From what I’ve read, if you have a blank period senior year, be prepared to explain what you’re doing with the extra time (and no, this doesn’t include filling out college applications.) If you’re doing something extra with an EC, an after school job, more tutoring, working in a lab, etc. you should be fine. Just be prepared to explain it. Your proposed optional schedules look good.</p>
<p>As always, a lot depends on how high up the food chain you’re aiming with those college applications.</p>
<p>Yeah two release periods is definitely not a good idea. Don’t take any release periods without a reason (I’m taking one next year because I’m going to go take college classes).</p>
<p>Your senior schedule should be roughly as rigorous as your junior year. I think 3 APs are fine. Keep in mind that you’ll be spending time working on college apps as well. I guess you guys don’t have honors-level classes? Dropping all the way down from AP English to regular I guess is fine, though you know a B isn’t a bad grade at all :)</p>
<p>Yeah, that’s really odd about our school. We have an Honors program for basically every academic class. I took Honors English in my freshmen and sophomore years when AP wasn’t available. But for senior year (English 4) the only options are regular or AP.</p>
<p>Another reason for that choice is the summer homework. After years of being loaded with summer homework and summer school (I’ve been taking summer school to get extra credits), I’m finally gonna have a summer with no summer homework. This will give me time to relax and get a job and/or do community service/volunteer work.</p>
<p>I have one release period this year, but I’m interning 6 hours a week and taking two community college classes (Public Speaking and Ballet). I assume that’s sufficient explanation?</p>
<p>My Senior Year Schedule (I’m on a block schedule, something I do not recommend. On a ranking of high schools in my area, my school and two others on block schedules make up the bottom three.)</p>
<p>Summer before senior year:
Statistics (community college).</p>
<p>Fall:
AP Environmental Science
AP Government/AP Microeconomics (It’s one class at my school, another problem)
Physics (AP not offered)</p>
<p>Spring:
AP Calculus BC
AP English Lit
Theater History (VPA Requirement)</p>
<p>So taking up a class to be a teachers aid would not be recommended?</p>
<p>I just thought it would be nice to get some hw done or just get some sleep that period. But I mean, I’ll be helping out the teacher occasionally when they need to get papers graded or something. I’ll have 5 other AP classes and SPanish so it’s a pretty rigorous schedule. But…it won’t look as rigorous as my junior year schedule. Is that bad?</p>
<p>Poseur, can you quit posting on every schedule thread about how much you hate schedule threads? Just ignore them if they bother you so much.</p>
<p>OP: your proposed schedule looks good. I’d agree with taking an elective instead of a free period.</p>
<p>Smile: being a teacher’s aide sounds like a good idea, especially if you’re interesting in the teacher/the subject. Just make sure you can defend it well when college interviewers ask you what it is, exactly, that you do for it. And with 5 APs already, don’t worry about your schedule not being rigorous enough.</p>