<p>I know that colleges stress the importance of senior schedules, and while I chose to take a "free period" (having one less class and getting to leave earlier), I am also taking 6 AP classes. So will this one free period give a bad impression to the "top-tier" colleges? I'm not trying to come across as arrogant or anything (besides, from what I've seen, there are some GENIUSES on this site), but I consider myself to be in that group of "almost Ivy-level" students, who typically aim for colleges like Rice, Vanderbilt, Duke, Stanford, etc. So I consider my scenario different from a student who takes a "free period" like me but applies to colleges that are easier to get into. Does anyone have any advice or previous experience with this?</p>
<p>What are you talking about? Stanford is harder to get into than Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, Penn, and Cornell. That’s not for “almost Ivy-level” students.</p>
<p>I got into Pomona College with Eng Lang AP, Biology AP, Calculus AB AP, Physics, Science Research and Basketball. Six classes, not all academic, not all APs. I’d say you’re okay :)</p>
<p>I have a free period too, I consider it a tiny reward for all the hard work that I have put in. I doubt colleges will look too much into it, especially if you have a lot of AP classes</p>
<p>i kind of ran out of stuff to take and getting to local uni isnt too easy, so i have two free periods and have 4 classes :)</p>
<p>didnt turn out badly for me decisions wise</p>
<p>A “free period” will not hurt your chances.</p>
<p>My school requires at least 1 free period per day. Many people at my school have 3. My sister had 3 her senior year and got into Columbia ED. You are fine.</p>
<p>I took a free period first semester but chose not to second semester (replaced it with PE). If colleges see that you have taken a rigorous schedule throughout your high school years and are on track to have a similarly rigorous schedule for senior year, I don’t think it matters.</p>
<p>Assuming your schedule is tough, that shouldn’t be a problem. But if it’s only so-so in terms of difficulty, I’d consider picking up an academic elective like Stats or Gov.</p>
<p>although a free period won’t win you any impressment from college adcoms, it wont necessarily hurt you either, unless the students from your schools all take 7 ap classes or something like that.</p>
<p>I only took six classes total for my senior year… four AP and two electives. Just don’t get any major senioritis. My overall grade dropped 2-4 points, but it was still higher than my sophomore year GPA (long story) and still an A overall. </p>
<p>EDIT: Not 2-4 points on a 4.0 scale. The 100% scale.</p>
<p>The “free period” will not hurt you. Also, you don’t have to take 6 AP classes your senior year to get into a top tier college.</p>
<p>On account of many semester-long required classes (eg: gym, health, public speaking), I don’t think it’s possible to get out of my HS without several free bells/study halls. I’ve had a ton, even a year-long one this year (taking college classes = I can only take 4 academic classes at HS), and I still got into tons of top schools.</p>
<p>You’ll be fine. Are you going home early to start your homework or to work at a job?</p>
<p>Yes, I will probably use the “free period” to work on college apps, homework, studying for AP tests, and helping my parents out at their store. On some days I may just kick back and relax though ;)</p>
<p>I took one period off to as you did, with 5 APs and newspaper rounding out my senior schedule. The result? I got into Duke, Northwestern, Rice and two honor programs at UT. So, really, if you’ve been doing what you should be schedule-wise up till your senior year, a free period will mean little to them especially if you have a rigorous schedule beyond that.</p>
<p>More importantly, as senior year inches slowly and slowly, you’re going to be thankful to have a shorter day to take a nap, watch TV, work on apps first semester, eat, and just have a little bit more fun. :)</p>