Senior year class schedule

Asking for a friend...is it frowned upon to take a light schedule (4 classes) senior year if all academic requirements for admission have been met?

The academies want people who push themselves above and beyond, because that’s what will be expected of them as cadets/mids and as officers. The academies are not as impressed with people who do “just enough” or who are fine with “good enough,” e.g. meeting the minimum standard.

As an academy-admissions coach — himself an academy grad — told us: You need to demonstrate to the admissions staff how you put yourself into high-stress situations and succeeded.

Hard to answer your question without knowing what those classes are and how the rest of the application package looks. But you — ahem, your friend — would be wise to heed the coach’s advice.

I did something like that, but for good reason. I took 6/8 class periods, but that included college writing, AP calculus and Honors Physics (we didn't have AP), which finished off all the required and recommended classes for admissions. This meant that I didn't get to school till 0915 one day, and left at 1230 the other (block schedule). On my late mornings, I went running and did strength training so that I would have more on-court time for tennis in the afternoon. On my release days, I just went to the courts early to work on serves and get some extra hitting time to work on fundamentals on the wall or ball machine. This gave me a solid 3hrs/day minimum on the courts, without giving up my study/CAP/music time in the evening. I was pursuing a tennis scholarship at the time so for me, tennis was almost as important as school, but I knew calculus was going to kick my butt and that I wanted to learn it well, not just get the grade.

The point is, if your friend is going to take a light schedule, there better be a good reason beyond just having an easier year. IMHO, there are a lot of things that will be better for you than filling your schedule with classes you don't need, but make sure you aren't just meeting the minimum requirements. If AP calculus, an AP science, and an AP English (or equivalent) courses are offered, and you haven't taken them, that's a problem. If you are choosing something like biology, anatomy, creative writing, etc., a free period to focus on the other classes or something else wouldn't be a bad idea.

Most colleges, including service academies want students who are hard working and intellectually curious. So I would not suggest that. Take a Math, science, English , Social Studies, Gym and Foreign lang if you haven't gotten at least to the 4th level. And why not take a fun elective? You don't realize how nice it is to get a free class in some interesting topic/activity until you don't have the time/$ for it.

Agree with above. If you want to slack off senior year, set up your college class schedule so you can slack off senior year of college. You might have some heavy ROTC responsibilities by then so it's a good idea anyway.

DS will have an easy senior year for him, but it will still include AP English, AP Gov, AP Econ, AP Physics C and AP German. He is out of math classes at his school, he took AP Calc BC last year and scored a 5. This year the school is going to a block schedule so he will have two off periods a day but there isn't much left for him to take. Last year he had 6 AP classes plus German, He's already taken AP Biology, AP Chem, AP Psychology. So I guess it really depends on your definition of "easy" and why.

In a word: yes. How does it help you to take baby classes if you are trying to be the best of the best?

MidCakePa said:

The academies want people who push themselves above and beyond, because that’s what will be expected of them as cadets/mids and as officers. The academies are not as impressed with people who do “just enough” or who are fine with “good enough,” e.g. meeting the minimum standard.

As an academy-admissions coach — himself an academy grad — told us: You need to demonstrate to the admissions staff how you put yourself into high-stress situations and succeeded.

Hard to answer your question without knowing what those classes are and how the rest of the application package looks. But you — ahem, your friend — would be wise to heed the coach’s advice.

Click to expand...

It actually is for a friend..my child is a C3C at USAFA. I am an Independent Educational Consultant and have a client with a child applying.

Sam2018 said:

DS will have an easy senior year for him, but it will still include AP English, AP Gov, AP Econ, AP Physics C and AP German. He is out of math classes at his school, he took AP Calc BC last year and scored a 5. This year the school is going to a block schedule so he will have two off periods a day but there isn't much left for him to take. Last year he had 6 AP classes plus German, He's already taken AP Biology, AP Chem, AP Psychology. So I guess it really depends on your definition of "easy" and why.

Click to expand...

I guess I didn't fully explain the situation. Yes, he is taking academically challenging classes (AP's) and was planning to work the extra hours after school. Thanks for your input!

Famoffive, no offense meant with my “your friend” comment. The joke fell flat, obviously. Your friend is fortunate to have someone helping them with inside information.