<p>I'm a junior, and the time has come to select the classes I plan to take my senior year. The only core classes required at my school for seniors are English IV and US History II, but I've heard that most top schools like to see four years of each core class anyway. I've always struggled in the maths and sciences, and given the opportunity to drop these classes my senior year, I'm unsure as to the most beneficial option for my transcript. I plan on keeping math (not sure which class yet though), but the science options at my school are rather limited. I've already taken Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, and the only other available non-AP course is Anatomy and Physiology.</p>
<p>My Senior Year Course Selection (so far) is as follows:</p>
<p>English IV AP
Phys. Ed.
US History II H
Spanish IV H
Intro to American Law</p>
<p>I still need to decide which math to take, and also whether my time would be better spent in Anatomy and Physiology or in a class of greater interest to me. Should I take Anatomy, or would it be better to take either Psychology or Modern World Honors (a history full-year elective)? What would a college admissions officer say if I dropped science my senior year? My mother is of the belief that I shouldn't take a class just for the sake of having a lab science my senior year, so I'm here for an outside opinion. Thank you so much!</p>
<p>You’ve already taken all 3 main sciences–bio, chem, physics. If you are certain that you won’t want to major in science or a pre-health field, you’d be OK to stop there. Anatomy and physiology isn’t a great class in high school; some people take it if they are considering a nursing program in college. If you are strictly looking at a 4th year of science to improve odds of admission to top 10-type schools, then AP science would be the only option to do that.
That being said, I wouldn’t drop both math and science for senior year–but it sounds that you are willing to at least take math. I’d try to make sure you have 4 years math, 4 English, 4 social studies, 4 foreign languange to give you your best admission chances, especially if you forgo the 4th year of science.</p>
<p>My D had a similar question this time last year - her issue had to do with fitting both AP English 12 and AP Spanish IV into her schedule, and whether or not to take a lab science. . The best advice I got on CC was to check with admissions offices at some of the schools she was considering. She got a variety of helpful responses.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for all the responses! My mom had this to say: if I’m not going to take an AP science, and I’d just be taking Anatomy for the sake of having a fourth year lab science, it’s not worth it. The fact of the matter is, I don’t like science, have no future career plans in the medical field, and I struggle in the class. So I think I’ve decided what to do. I’m not your average CC super teen, so I’ve decided not to take science my senior year. I wouldn’t be able to take an AP science at my school, because I’d need my current teacher’s recommendation for the class, and as I’ve struggled in Physics this year, I know she wouldn’t vouge for me… so, long story short, it would either be Anatomy or nothing in terms of science. In its place, I’ve decided to take Modern World H, an extra full-year history course offered at my school.</p>
<p>My senior year schedule will consist of the following, plus a religious studies course (Catholic school) and Phys. Ed.:</p>
<p>English IV AP
US History IV H
Spanish IV H
Discrete Math
Modern World H
Intro to Business</p>
<p>Again, I’m not your average CC super teen, and I won’t be applying to those unattainable top-tier schools. Thank you so much for your time and for your responses… and if you’re still reading at this point, then I commend you. ;]</p>
<p>I personally took Anatomy and Physiology my sophmore year, and it’s an awesome class. Taking the core academic classes which are required across the nation is a good idea. Even though your school doesn’t require those classes, you will still want to end your senior year with a nice academic work load. </p>
<p>Psychology is also a great subject. If you’re interested in how the human mind works, why we behavior and do the things we do, it’s a great social science to take. Anatomy and Physiology is also an awesome class and great for anyone interested in the medical field who wants to learn about how the human body works.</p>
<p>You’ve already taken Biology, Chemistry, and Physics which is good because you’ve been exposed to some of the main science field. Psychology, or Anatomy would both compliment that. </p>
<p>Good luck with whatever you decide. Remember to make sure that these courses are courses YOU want to take. After all, you’re the one who will be completing the work for them.</p>