Which/How Many Classes should I take Senior Year?

Applying to College Admission Stories
1

Okay, so at my school, we have 7 classes that you can take per year. My senior year, I plan on taking 6, even though I take 7 now (my junior year). My question is, does it look better if I take 7 classes, and have no free period, or take 6 and get a free period?

These are the classes I am taking next year:

  1. AP English Literature
  2. AP US History
  3. Pre-Calculus
  4. Honors Physics
  5. Religion IV
  6. American Government
  7. Debating whether to take this class -----> Journalism

With my honors and AP classes, should I take a study hall, or should I take the journalism class (the only other class I’m interested in), and beef up my transcript?

I’m really caught in between with this decision because I want to have the best chance possible getting into the following colleges: Ohio State, University of IL, University of WI, University of TX, University of MA (I live here), University of CA at San Diego, and Northeastern University.

Thanks for any guidance or help you can provide

2

Just so you know, taking a study hall will not hurt you. It’s pretty common place at my high school for certain students (those with a minimum 4 AP classes - don’t be freaked by that because everything at my school is honors or AP, with PE being possibility the only exception) to take a study hall. We also have seven class periods a day. And trust me when I say these kids have had no problem getting into some great schools (including Texas actually if that makes you feel any better).

So really, it’s just whether or not you want to take that journalism class (sounds like it could be fun). But it might be worth it to have some extra time in your day to work on homework and stay up on your other classes. I don’t think you can go wrong either way.

Good luck with everything!!! :slight_smile: