In the spring semester of 11th grade, most college-bound juniors are knee-deep in college visits, building college lists, preparing for the SAT and ACT tests, and trying to keep grades up. But, it is also the time when high school juniors need to sign up for senior year courses. As you look ahead to your senior year, think hard about what classes to take as part of the college admissions process.
Here is why you can’t take the foot off the gas entering your senior year as it relates to class schedule and rigor:
Colleges want to see more than the bare minimum
The first reason is that colleges will see your course selections for your senior year. In fact, you will have to list them right there on the Common Application. More than likely, your transcript will also reflect the courses in which you are enrolled. If these are not listed on the transcript, your counselor will likely let the admissions office know in some other fashion. So, you can’t really hide.
Admissions officers do care about your senior year courses. They are looking for students who challenge themselves, who are interested in their own learning, and who pick senior year courses that push them to be their best. Colleges want curious students who are academically interested–as well as talented.
Colleges are also not looking for students who do just the bare minimum. There is a big difference between what your high school requires for graduation and what colleges would like to see from you. After all, colleges are “schools”, and they want to see how you take advantage of your educational opportunities.
College admissions officers want to see course rigor in 12th grade
In your senior year, you need to be taking the most rigorous schedule possible. Admissions officers will be looking closely at 12th grade course rigor as they review college applications so plan carefully. If you’ve taken one AP in Junior year, now is the time to take two APs. If you’ve taken two APs junior year, now is the time to take three APs. You get the idea.
Some seniors are even taking five APs. Of course, if you had an extremely difficult time in junior year with two APs, it’s advisable to stick with only a handful of AP classes for your senior year. The key is to not decrease the number of your rigorous courses. Colleges want to see that you continue to challenge yourself each year.
Which is better: taking easier courses and boost your GPA, or taking more rigorous courses and risk a perfect GPA? Read our blog post on the subject.
Your education starts today
It amazes me that kids (and sometimes their parents) will talk about the importance of college and proceed sign up for “student assistantships” and take extra periods off during their senior year of high school in order to relax. Well, high school may, indeed, be winding down, but your education is just beginning. And for most students (and parents), high school is free. College is not free. So why would you pass up the opportunity to advance your education during high school and potentially go into debt to take courses in college that you should have taken in high school?
I sometimes hear kids say, “I am not going to take calculus this year because I’ve already completed all the math requirements, and I’m just going to have to take it in college for my math/economics/engineering major anyway. So, I’m going to hang out with my friends while I still can.”
This approach is completely wrong. Sure, you may have to take–or retake–calculus in college. But taking it in high school can give you an advantage later. If you do well in the AP Calculus BC course, then you might not even have to take it in college. In fact, you may get credit for the course in college if you do well enough on the exam. That could save you (and your parents) several thousands of dollars. Even if you end up retaking it in college, your early preparation may make it possible to ace that college course, thereby raising your college GPA.
Summary: Your Senior Year Class Schedule Matters for College Admissions
High school is your education. It isn’t just a holding pen for college-bound students. It’s an opportunity to learn. And isn’t that why you’re going to college…to learn? Take full advantage of the educational opportunities you have today. Don’t fritter away your senior year. Get out there and learn stuff!
Need more help in preparing for college and choosing the right senior year courses?
If you’re thinking about the college process and feeling unsure about how you should plan, you might want to reach out to the expert college counselors at Great College Advice. We not only can help you prepare and take advantage of all your opportunities in high school, but we can help you select the right colleges to apply to and guide you through the entire application process. If you’d like to learn more, please give us a call or contact us here. We’d be happy to provide a complimentary consultation to learn more about you!
