I’m trying to decide what I want to take senior year, and almost everyone I know is taking a free period. Meaning you get to leave school early or come to school late every other day. So far I know for sure that I’m taking art, English (obviously) trig, AP environmental, and AP Gov and Econ, which by the way, should I take? I’m sure I’ll do fine in ap gov, but ap economics is kind of scaring me because of the math portion. Anyway, I have one extra slot that and I’m not sure what to do with it. I’m applying to California state universities only, which tend to be competitive down south, (where I want to go). Do schools want to see you push your self as hard as you did junior year? Will a free period make me look lazy or unmotivated? My counselor said the AP classes sort of cancel that out but that taking an “easy” college prep elective could help boost my GPA. How much does it matter? Do schools really care that much about what you do senior year?
If by Cal state schools you mean the UC system, ucla says in its flyer
They also say
You are competing for admission against all the other kids in the state, not just the ones in your HS. Adcoms are going to see the senior year schedule from kids all over, they will see other kids don’t have a free period and you do. So do you want to roll the dice and be like your friends with an hour of free time? Or be the strongest candidate you can?
Your Senior schedule looks fine, although if you are only taking Trig as a Senior, that may be a problem for some of the more competitive Cal States you may be interested in applying. You should be at least at Pre-Calculus level if you plan to apply to CSULB and SDSU. It will also depend upon your major. For STEM majors, a high level of Math and Sciences will definitely help your chances.
Older son TA’ed for his Pre-Calculus teacher Senior year (basically a free period) but he had 4 AP classes. Younger son had a free morning period, but he had 5 AP classes Senior year. Alot will depend upon your school choices. The competitive Cal states do want to see course rigor, which you have with 2 AP classes. Cal States will only look at 10-11th grades, so trying to boast your GPA Senior year will not help in admissions. Your Sophomore/Junior will get you into a college, but Senior year will keep you in. Meaning do not push yourself so hard that there is a potential for D’s or F’s in any courses Senior year.
@mikemac I clearly said California state universities, meaning Fullerton state, San marcos, North ridge, and my reach schools would be San Diego state or Long beach. I’m defintely not prepared to apply to schools like UCLA. i don’t want to “be like my friends” I’ve been stressed this year, worked my ass off to make a 4.0 with two ap classes, so it would be nice next year to have a free period every other day. But yes, you’re right, a college might choose someone with the extra “legal studies” class rather than someone with the free period…unfortunately for me.
@gumbymom I’m horrible with math so I’ll probably even struggle with trig. SDSU and CSLB are defintely my reach schools. But yeah there’s no way I would be in an “advanced” math class. I really want nothing to do with it, as soon as I get general education out of the way I’m done with math forever. And regarding the GPA, once you are accepted they do check on your grades right? If I get accepted somewhere with a 3.8 over all GPA but only keep up a 3.00 or 3.2 senior year will the school care?
- The level of Math will depend upon major. For most colleges, you will be required to take a calculus related Math course, so just be warned.
- You self report your 10-11th grades. Some Cal States will ask for Mid-year Senior grades such as CSUF and SDSU. This is to make sure you are on track. Provisional admission states you need to maintain your GPA (above 3.0 usually sufficient) and NO D’s or F’s.
- Upon enrollment to your choice college, you will need to send in your final transcript at the end of Senior year.
Like I stated on your other thread, all Cal States with exception of SLO will use the Eligiblility index for admissions. They rank each major starting with highest EI and starting accepting until all slots are filled. In-service area applicants will get priority but beyond that, grades and test scores are what is important to the Cal States.
If you manage around a 1000 total (SAT M+CR) along with your GPA, you should be in good shape.
Enjoy the rest of your Junior year, work on that SAT or ACT and keep doing well in your classes.
@Gumbymom thank you!
Assuming you have all your A-G requirements, take an extra elective you find fun; if none sound fun, take the free period.
Your GPA is good and since you’re not aiming for a stem-related major, you’ll be okay with Trig, as long as you do well in your humanities/social science classes (which seems to be the case).