Taking a free class period second semester of senior year?

Applying to College
1

<p>How bad does it look if I take a free class period second semester of my senior year? I have to start selecting my senior year courses starting next week and I want to have a relatively easy second semester of senior year. Currently I have 5 AP classes and will have taken 8 AP tests by this year. I will probably take the following courses next year</p>

<p>AP Physics C
AP English Lit
AP Art History (grad req)
AP Stats
AP European History
H US gov
Life Skills (grad req)</p>

<p>Life Skills is semester course so after 1st semester, I will have to take another class or can take a free period. Do colleges look badly at having a free period? I have been taking only honors and AP courses throughout my high school year (with exception of Spanish 1 and 2) and I want to chillax a bit after 1st semester of senior year.</p>

2

<p>I don't think they do. Most seniors at my school have only 4 or 5 classes out of 6 senior year, and they do okay. (Stanford, UCs, other top 25 schools, etc.)</p>

3

<p>I think the actual question is this: what senior in their right mind doesn't have at least one study hall?</p>

<p>Seriously, you'll be fine. The rest of your course load is very rigorous, and that will work in your favor, free period or not. I say you should take it and enjoy it.</p>

4

<p>At my school, it's perfectly normal to have one or even two free periods every day (my school has 8 periods, no block scheduling). Granted, students at my school usually don't apply to top colleges, but it's definitely fine for you to have a free period.</p>

5

<p>At my school, the norm is for seniors to barely even BE in school. Says the girl with a full schedule. </p>

<p>Chillax, it's second semester--and take that free period. I wish I could get a free period that easily!</p>

6

<p>You meen u didnt have a free period before noe? Geez, I have like 2 every year</p>

7

<p>No school -- not even the most selective -- is going to penalize you for having a free period second semester of your senior year when you are still carrying a heavy course load of 5 AP + 1 honors classes.</p>

8

<p>Um...I have three free periods this year. XD And I've gotten into all 3 of the schools I applied to.</p>

<p>I think the point is that if you're taking good classes and have a history of taking a rigorous schedule, colleges aren't going to penalize you for wanting to enjoy your senior year.</p>

9

<p>You'll be ok. 5 solid academic classes is what you need for top schools.</p>

10

<p>I got into Yale with a free period first semester of senior year. I'm auditing another class as well.</p>

11

<p>A lot of people take an out period. It's not a big deal.</p>

12

<p>Yeah, the normal here is 2 free periods senior year. No 5th or 6th. At lunch nearly 3/4 of the senior lot is empty.</p>

13

<p>If you can, try to take one first semester instead of second. Unless you have an extra sport or something in spring, having a free period during college app times is REALLY helpful. It gives you time to meet with your guidance counselor, too. Plus, it's probably better to have more AP classes in the second semester so they're closer to the AP test dates.</p>

14

<p>My school is pretty competitive so not many seniors take a free period. And no juniors, sophomores, and freshmen are allowed any free periods. All our AP classes are year long so I can't start an AP class in 2nd semester.</p>

<p>I prefer having a free period in the first semester and doing life skills on second semester (for college apps and stuff). You guys think that would be okay?</p>

15

<p>I got into several good schools with a free period. Of course, the rest of my schedule is filled with 5 AP's and 1 honors class...but go ahead and take the free period!</p>

16

<p>My guidance counselor told me I can't take a free period next year for senior year. :(</p>

<p>I am taking AP Physics B, AP English Literature, AP Calculus AB, Honors German IV, AP German Language, plus three university courses. She said only people who work real jobs can get a free period. Apparently, those Burger King jobs are exponentially more difficult than my academics.</p>

17

<p>lol...flipping burgers can get pretty grueling after 6 hours...i know one guy whose arm got so tired that it just separated from his body and walked out the door!!! :-p</p>

18

<p>^I feel your pain on the free period thing, I really do, but I used to work in fast food during my junior year (McDonald's, to be specific). Maybe I'm just not a people person, but dealing with the idiots and the jerks who came through that damn drive-thru window was much worse than any AP Calculus exam I took that year. Ugh.</p>

<p>(You should still get a free period, though. That policy your school has really sucks, I'm sorry.)</p>

19

<p>My S had at least 1 free period every year thru HS & got into top tier schools with good merit $. His senior year, he had a free both semesters, as usual, plus marching band & all APs. He's happily completing his 4th semester of college.</p>

<p>Their HS STRONGLY advises all kids to have at least one free every semester thru HS.</p>

20

<p>Most seniors at my school take 4 classes their senior year and can leave school at 12:30. If your fulfilling all the credits you need, what does it matter? I didnt take an open period for 2 years so I have the freedom to take only 4 classes my senior year, 2 of which will be at a university. You earned it, so why not?</p>