This year, I chose only to take six classes (instead of the usual seven) so I could take early release. I did this for two reasons. Firstly, I do private tutoring, and as most of my students are elementary and middle school students who get out before high school students in my county, early release allows for a more convenient schedule for these students. Thus, I get to do more lessons (and earn more money!). The second reason is on days I’m not tutoring, I have time to go to the gym after school. Also, no other classes interested me.
Is this worth mentioning in the additional information section? If I do, I’ll probably leave out the gym part. I’m asking because I’m worried that AOs might think I’m not challenging myself with my classes if I don’t say anything. I’m still taking a challenging schedule (AP chem, AP lit, multivar calc, AP gov, AP stats). Then again, I have friends in my school taking all these classes plus another AP. On the other hand, AOs might not even notice I’m only taking six classes (it won’t say early release as one of my blocks on my transcript, so the only way they’ll know is if they count out my classes), so by explicitly pointing out I took one less it might do more harm than good. What are your thoughts?
Also, on a partly unrelated note, how would colleges verify my private tutoring EC? No one employs me, so I wonder how they could verify this ec.
At my daughter’s high school, 6 classes is standard. Students can take 7 if they want, but most students take 6 and that is considered a “full schedule.” I honestly don’t think it matters if you take 6 or 7 classes, as long as they are fairly rigorous ones and you do well in them.
Colleges generally don’t verify ECs. Theoretically they can (and you would need to provide some sort of documentation), but it is pretty rare. They usually take your word for it.
Thanks for all the advice. I’ll definitely make sure to include tutoring as one of my activities.
Even if taking six classes isn’t “normal” in my school, since taking six is normal around the country, its ok? I was under the impression that my course rigor was compared with others in my school/county, so since I’m taking one less class it would look bad. Is this wrong?
This is my opinion also. I do not see a problem with taking 6 classes rather than 7. Also, being a tutor is a good EC. This requires a strong understanding of the material that you are teaching, and shows patience and commitment and the ability to work with others. Also, university admissions understand that some people need to have a job because their family needs (or at least could use) the money.
I doubt that they would. I do wonder however: Does your guidance counselor know that you tutor younger students?
What you are doing is not unusual. Where my kids went to HS, anyone having a first period study hall didn’t have to show up until the start of second. Anyone with a last period study hall could leave early.
My kids never had a study hall until they were HS seniors. Oh…and in addition to only taking six classes, they each took Culinary Arts as one of their courses. They both got accepted to the colleges of their choice (which they well vetted before applying).