<p>To add: it really depends on where you want to go. If you’re shooting for top schools it’s best not to let up, unless your grades would seriously suffer.</p>
<p>You don’t have to take full load senior year if you are doing something equally rigorous with your free time. For example, I took only 4 classes senior year, and did my EC 25+ hr/wk. I applied to top schools and it didn’t hurt me at all - fact it probably helped because I’m quite sure no one else looked or sounded like I did in my apps. If music is what you love, do something in the music world that will really test your commitment and skills.</p>