what course load would look the best on college apps?

Applying to College
1

im going to be a senior next year, and seniors at my school can take 5, 6 or 7 classes
so i’m wondering how many i should take? right now i’m for sure taking 6:

AP Stats
AP Bio II
AP English IV
Academic Decathlon Honors
Student Leadership Honors
Independent Research Honors

and i’m taking AP US Govt and AP Macro over the summer.

so is that course load already good or should i add another AP class (probably would be AP euro or AP Physics B) ? i dont want to look lazy if i take less than the max possible amount of courses.

for reference, im mostly applying to highly ranked private universities next year , so i want to be as competitive as possible
all help is greatly appreciated !

2

Trust me, 3 APs 3 Honors doesn’t look lazy. It’s far from it. The answer to this question is that it really depends. From the looks of it, this schedule is plenty rigorous. But if other classmates are taking 5 APs or more, you would need to increase the rigor. Speak to your guidance counselor.

3

Agree with the above. Keep in mind that for Fall, you will have that hidden course: College Apps and Essays. Rising seniors always underestimate the work that this will require. What level did you complete in foreign language?

On another subject, designing a schedule that “looks best” for colleges is a flawed strategy.

4

You should take courses that are intellectually stimulating, and of interest to you. The real challenge comes in the Spring when you have all of your acceptances and have committed to a college, but still need to spend an extra two months in a class you have no interest in.

5

@CaliCash i will, thanks!
@skieurope i actually hadn’t considered leaving myself time for apps; thank you for the advice
and to answer your question, im in my fourth year right now (AP spanish language and culture)

6

i hadnt considered spring semester either oops
now im feeling like it’d be best to stick with my current course load

7

You can add AP Euro if you want. No need to add AP Physics B in the picture when you already have AP Stats and AP Bio II on there… however, do keep in mind that you will be a lot busier senior year. If you can handle that extra AP course, that’s fine. Otherwise, you don’t want to overwhelm yourself too much.

8

lol peeps at our school be taking 7 - 8 APs both junior AND senior year. oh and lets not forget those sophomores in calc bc, physics 2, whap (normal), and chem 2