From what I’ve read, it seems that colleges realllly don’t recommend taking an off period. I’m currently a junior and looking to apply for somewhat selective colleges, maybe 30 percent acceptance rates (hopefully lower!). Like in the title, I’ll have 15 ap credits by the time I graduate, and if I take an off period it will be my only non rigorous class next year. Is it still okay to do this? Should I do Study Hall or Student Aide instead? Thanks in advance!!
I am unfamiliar with the term off period. How does that differ from study hall?
Yes, give yourself a break. 15 APs is gracious plenty.
D has rolling block schedule and 7 classes that all don’t meet every day (every other day). They strongly recommend taking an off period, particularly fall senior year so you have time for college apps on top of coursework. Kids got into tippy top schools (Ivies/Stanford) from this high school and yes, they had an off period and likely a similar amount of APs. If the off period is at beginning or end of day they can come in late or leave early. That extra hour & 1/2 every other day makes a big difference in sanity and balance. It sounds like you have been grinding and it is important to keep those first semester grades up. imo it’s a great idea, always good to check with your GC as well, they know where and how kids end up at which schools. Good luck!
What would your schedule actually look like and what is an ‘off period’ vs. A study hall at your school?
When you say 15 AP credits, do you mean 15 classes or 5 class’s worth 3 credits at the college freshman level?
@MYOS1634 My schedule next year:
AP Physics C
Ap Statistics
AP English 4
AP Government and Macroeconomics
AP Psychology
AP Capstone Research (Capstone Diploma)
Anatomy and Physiology (not AP but still college level)
Blank–off period/study hall/ student aide/ AP Mi
Wait a moment…I would have 16, oops 
Oh sorry if I was vague, I meant 16 actual AP classes
Current/Past Ap credits
Ap Chemistry
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Human Geography
AP World History
AP U.S. History
AP Capstone
AP English 3
Study Hall is basically an off period, but you stay in a classroom. Some people skip, some actually study, some just chill. Thanks for answering by the way, I hope my comment cleared up everything!
Oh an off period lets you leave campus
@CADREAMIN Thanks, I’ll be sure to check with my GC about this!
With this schedule, yes take the off period, and I’d also drop AP psychology and take a ‘fun class’ instead, culinary arts or current events or shop or whatever sounds ‘fun’ to you. It’ll have the added benefit of proving you’re not an AP addict who takes any AP under the sun just to have one more.
Note: with this level of rigor, colleges will expect a foreign language up to level 4.
I would take the off period. Colleges won’t not accept you because you took one
@MYOS1634 As nerdy as this sounds, ap psych and anatomy and phys are my fun classes. I think I might do culinary instead of an off period though–that does sound interesting. Also, I am kind of alarmed by the level 4 foreign language–I don’t have an ap spanish 4 credit! How bad is this? I am bilingual in Korean, does that make up for it?
Colleges don’t know or care how many periods you have off. They only care about what courses you take. And no college expects students to take 8 difficult academic courses their senior year.
Top colleges do expect at least 5 rigorous (not necessarily AP) senior courses. A 6th academic course is usually good to have. A 7th one is only good if it fits what you’ve done so far and doesn’t keep you from maintaining your usual grades, or make it harder to do things outside of class. But it’s definitely not required. And an 8th class is REALLY not required or helpful.
If you’ve completed 4 years of Spanish before senior year and done well (even if it’s not AP level), you don’t need to take any more foreign language (although you could if it works in your schedule). If you haven’t taken 4 years, you might consider taking one more class at whatever level is best for you.
Certainly you can take an off period.
Have you reached level 4 in a foreign language – I don’t see it on your schedule? If not consider continuing your foreign language instead of a class like AP Psychology or Anatomy.
If you have an external proof (SAT subject, AP) of your Korean knowledge + some Spanish (level 3?) you’re good. Is that your case?
Our school school only has 6 periods and because my kids are athletes theyou have sports the last period of the day. So you already have more classes than yhem, with an off period!
Oh no, it looks like the consensus is to take Spanish 4. Unfortunately I have not taken the Korean Subject Test, but I could do that next October. Is that soon enough? Or should I just do the class, in which case I’d have to do 8 AP classes, since I am for sure taking Anatomy and pHys and Psych. I had no idea it was that imperative to take a language AP, yikes
Thanks for all the responses by the way!! I really appreciate it
Take it in November (Korean with Listening). No need to take the class.
As for Spanish, if you have Korean AND Spanish (and can take a Spanish subject test to boot), you’re okay.
Let’s say Spanish 4 would be a cherry on the cake, but not necessary, just take what appeals to you.
However if you were to not take the Korean test, then it’d be more of a problem.
I’d only advise the Spanish subject test if you are well versed and fluent in Spanish. Are you confident in your Spanish ability? Take a look at some example tests to get a feel for it and see if you’re up to the challenge.
Taking a fourth year of language would add some strength to your application, but you don’t necessarily need to take it. If you would prefer to take other classes, then go ahead and do so. Go explore your passions and challenge yourself.
I agree with taking a Korean Subject Test- you can take that whenever you want in senior year, but it must be absolutely done latest by January. I would advise against doing that since a lot of colleges will have early deadlines and you may wish to apply early action or early decision. The best strategy would ideally be to take it in October since that’s the first test date available and also the time where you are least likely to be bogged down with classwork. I find that as time progresses, coursework and extracurriculars get more involved. Plus…you’ll have some early applications (potentially) rolling in around November so you want to be finished with testing at least. This way, you can focus solely on applications and schoolwork/other activities.
@MuffinLord1 Yeah I looked at a sample SPanish test and even the “easy” questions were wild guesses on my part. To be honest, I absolutely hated my spanish class, so I only have 3 credits instead of four. Would only taking Korean in November (unfortunately that’s the only available time) be sufficient? SInce I’m already fluent it wouldn’t be too time-consuming. Thanks!
Since you’re on the verge of completing every AP, you should continue with the class schedule for next year
Yeah, the Spanish subject test is hard. I haven’t looked at it again since I’ve started my AP class, but AP passages are difficult too! I am sorry- I didn’t know when Korean with listening was offered. Take the earliest date available next year since you already have AP tests this May. You’ll be fine with the time since you’ll have time in summer to prepare if you need it and in the summer you should get a head start with college process.