<p>As I was thinking about my schedule for next year (senior year), I found that I had a problem-there are ten classes that I want to take, and only 9 periods in the day.
The schedule I had come up with was this</p>
<p>AP Literature and Composition
Health (required)
AP US History 2
AP World History
AP Government (US)
AP Stats
Calculus
Anatomy and Physiology (sp)
Gym (required)
Honors Spanish 5</p>
<p>I'm also planning to take a French class at the community college in my area since my school doesn't offer French 1 anymore.</p>
<p>Since I definitely want to go into political science, international relations, or history, I know that I want to keep AP Lit, APUSH, AP World, and AP Gov. My parents think I should definitely look into business because I supposedly have a good mind for it, so I need to keep Calc. I think Stats looks really interesting so I want to keep that too. The problem is that this leaves me with only Anatomy and Spanish to not take. Since I'm considering IR as a possible major I'm pretty sure I want to keep Spanish too. </p>
<p>So it makes the most sense for me to not take Anatomy and just not take a class in science at all right? That's what I'm thinking but I'm worried that some colleges will frown upon that and demand 4 years of science even if that's not what someone plans to pursue. It's not like I'm not taking a science class because I'd rather slack off, I just don't have time in my schedule for it and don't want to waste time and energy on a class that I don't feel passionate about. I have always taken science at an honors level and have done well; I got an A in Honors Bio, a B+ in Honors Chem (toughest teacher I have ever had) and currently am maintaining an A- in AP Bio. AP Chem and Physics are not options, and the only thing left that I would even consider taking is Anatomy, but I still don't really want to take it that much. Would it look bad if I've always done well in science then suddenly decided to stop taking it?</p>
<p>So, should I bite the bullet, take a science and drop one of my three history classes, or would I be able to get by in the admissions process with only three years?</p>
<p>It depends on the schools you're applying to. Some really, really want to see 4 years of Science. Some are OK with three. On the other hand, you have taken two AP science courses.</p>
<p>I would recommend you keep the Spanish; 5 years of a lang is great (I decided not to take Spanish because I cannot pronounce the "r"s at all, so I'm in my 6th yr of French). </p>
<p>Best solution: talk to your counselor, make sure they're aware of your situation. Research what colleges you want to go to. If they don't require 4 yrs of science, don't do it. If you're looking at selective colleges, a regular Anatomy class would be worth little in comparison to an AP science class (If you took Anatomy, it might look like "slacking" because it's not AP. Sad but true).</p>
<p>I think if you end up communicating to the colleges (whether in a note or, even better, via your counselor) that you have found your interest is in IR, I'm sure they'll understand. You're well-rounded enough already from what it looks like. Just keep the grades up.</p>
<p>I'm not gonna act I'm knowledgable about every college's admissions, but it's very rare that colleges will lookdown upon 3 years of science, particularly when you've completed 1 AP science and 1 honors science.</p>
<p>There are a couple of reasons you should take a fourth year of science:</p>
<p>1) you're applying to a tech school (i.e. MIT/Caltech/Carnegie Mellon) or you want to do engineering/physical sciences as a major in college</p>
<p>2) you want to do premed/pharmacy, I would suggest taking AP chem.</p>
<p>But I guessing from what you're writing, neither of these situations apply to you, in which case, I happily say to you it really doesn't matter. Top schools (aka IVY leagues, Stanford, and such) do not require 4 years of science for admissions. A lot of people will point out, but william, won't it make you less competitive? sure... just taking 9 APs instead of 10 APs will make you a teensy bit less competitive. None of the top colleges (which I assume you're aiming for based on ur courses) are going to accept/reject you for a 4th science class, it's just not a dealbreaker. If you really enjoy the AP classes you're in and excel on the AP tests, you will a) show colleges you're good at the classes you're in, and b) get AP credits for college classes because you scored high on them, and more importantly c) actually learn something from classes you're passionate about!</p>
<p>I get tired just looking at your schedule.
Schools like passion vs. well roundedness these days; they want you "well lopsided" so you are better showing your passion for your area of interest. 3 years is fine and I would suggest not doing 1st year French at a community college; you'll be able to take 1st year French at college if you want. Instead, have a life so you'll have something interesting to write about in your college essays next year! Do something non academic.</p>