how to plan your senior year college course load

by Mr. Luis Breitenberg IV 6 min read

  • Take an exciting and powerful senior year. Colleges worry about students who take easy senior years with only a few core classes and fewer activities.
  • Do not abandon more than one subject area. That means if you are not taking a foreign language anymore, you must not give up history or science. ...
  • Take at least four core classes, not including electives. Five cores plus one elective are ideal. Colleges want to see academic interest, not abandonment.
  • Take as hard a year as you can. If you took some AP and honors classes in 11 th grade, then take more senior year. ...
  • Follow your interests. Senior year is often the only time in high school that you can take more than one elective. ...
  • Pick classes in which you can do well. Private colleges see your fall grades. Waitlisted or deferred colleges may ask for spring grades. ...
  • Use your summers to take more classes. Classes you take during the summer can enhance your GPA. They can help you clear away Ds and Fs. ...
  • Plan to take one community college, college classes, or MOOCs during the summer or fall. ...
  • Remember, colleges want students who like to go to class. If they see that you abandon classes and/or choose a really light senior year, they will worry about your approach ...
  • If you do take an easier schedule, then you must fill your time with a job, volunteer work, or internship. ...

Full Answer

Do colleges care about your senior year courses?

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.

How many courses should I take my senior year?

Most colleges want to see that you’ve been able to excel in your classes given a relatively difficult course load. This means that, during your senior year, you need to set a goal of at least 5 rigorous courses from the five core academic areas.

How to impress colleges with your senior year of college?

Impressing colleges with your schedule will be useless if you can’t graduate on time. Make sure that, during your senior year, you’ve signed up for all of the required courses that will put you on track to graduate at the end of the year. Usually, this means signing up for a few core classes like Math, science, history, and english.

What do colleges look for in a high school senior year?

Most colleges want to see that you’ve been able to excel in your classes given a relatively difficult course load. This means that, during your senior year, you need to set a goal of at least 5 rigorous courses from the five core academic areas. This could mean instead of a foreign language, you double up on math classes.

Do colleges look at senior year course load?

UCs do look at courses you take in senior year and take the rigor into consideration when evaluating you for admission; but as long as you maintain satisfactory grades (typically an unweighted B average, with no non-passing grades, is sufficient), your performance in your senior year courses will not affect your ...

How do you manage college course loads?

8 Ways to Manage a Rigorous Course Load in Medical SchoolChoose a Study Style that Suits You Best. ... Take Practice Tests. ... Create a Study Schedule. ... Study in Different Work Hours. ... Break down Large Tasks into Bite-Sized Tasks. ... Record Your Lectures. ... Study with Friends. ... Beat Procrastination.

How do you push through your senior year of college?

Here are our three tips on how to finish your senior year strong.Stay organized. This can feel like a messy time in life. ... Let your future motivate you. Push hard now so that future you can reap the rewards. ... Remember why you're in school. ... Reward yourself.

What is a normal college course load?

Breaking it down further, most college courses at schools with semesters are worth three credit hours. So on average, you would expect to take five classes a semester. That's above the usual minimum, which is 12 hours, and below the maximum, which is normally 18.

Is 4 classes a semester too much?

Taking 12-15 credits is considered “full-time” in college lingo. That amounts to 4-5 classes, and for young students, that course load is really heavy (let's be honest, it's heavy for MOST students of any age).

How do I organize my college schedule?

How to Organize Your College ScheduleMake a Semester/Term Calendar(and keep it updated!) You need some way to keep track of your daily schedule and your to-do list. ... All of your assignments? They're in the syllabus. ... Use your calendar to make a schedule for studying and homework. ... Make a daily/weekly to-do list.

How do I get out of the senior Slump?

5 Tips to Avoid the Senior SlumpTip 1: Study Smart. No more all-nighters – there's no need. ... Tip 2: Work Together. Work with a buddy – study groups, group projects. ... Tip 3: Keep Things Fresh. Take on a new activity and get friends involved too, if possible, given restrictions. ... Tip 4: Do Well on Midterms. ... Tip 5: Live a Little.

How do you survive a senior year of college?

10 Tips For Surviving Your Senior Year Of CollegeDon't over exaggerate. ... Break things down. ... Plan. ... Make lists. ... Only worry about things you can control. ... Make the most of your time. ... Find your release. ... Don't get involved with unnecessary drama.More items...•

How do you manage your senior year?

6 Ways to Manage Your Time During your Senior Year. By Martha C. ... Make a calendar of deadlines. ... Work backward in small steps. ... Treat your applications like an extra class. ... Manage your time with technology. ... Find a system that works for you. ... Take breaks and find a balance.

Is taking 5 classes in college too much?

Understanding College Lingo Taking 12-15 credits is considered “full-time” in college lingo. That amounts to 4-5 classes, and for young students, that course load is really heavy (let's be honest, it's heavy for MOST students of any age).

How do you calculate course load?

To find your course load percentage for each term:Divide the number of units you're enrolled in by the 100% course load for one term.Example: enrolled in 9 units, 100% is 15 units: 9/15 = . 6 or 60% course load.

How many classes do college students take a day?

On average, students attend six classes every day in the same building. While some classes such as electives only last for a fall or spring semester, other classes like English or math last the entire academic year. Classes like these depend heavily on each institution's curriculum.

How long does it take to write a recommendation letter?

If you haven't yet, request recommendation letters from teachers. Provide your recommenders with enough time (at least 6-8 weeks) to write your recommendation. Begin to work on your essay. Do not procrastinate! Let your personality stand out and individuality shine.

How many words should an essay be for FAFSA?

Essays should be around 500 words. (The Common app does not allow more than 650 words). If you are applying through Early Decision or Early Action, complete and submit your application now. Submit the FAFSA as soon after October 1 st as you can at fafsa.gov.

1. Kick Your Course Load Up a Notch

When you’re a senior, there is a huge temptation to take easy electives, early dismissal, study hall, and other freebie courses that will give you more time to have fun during your senior year.

2. Advocate For Yourself

We at CollegeVine understand that sometimes the logistics of class scheduling do not work in your favor. Sometimes you don’t get all of the classes that you want, either because two classes you need are offered at the same time or because the class filled up quickly. It’s usually not your fault. These things just happen sometimes.

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

3. Keep It Rigorous

Just because you’ve fulfilled most of the school requirements for your state and school district doesn’t mean that you’ve fulfilled the expectations of those selective colleges that you hope to apply to.

5. Fulfill College Requirements

Sometimes, your school or state does not require the same courses as the colleges you want to apply to. For instance, your school district may require you to take two years of a foreign language, but the colleges you’re applying to may want to see at least three years.

For More Information

Want some more advice on how to approach senior year? Here are some previous blog posts for you:

The rule for choosing courses and when to break it

In general, I would highly recommend taking the hardest course load possible during Senior year. Colleges want to see an upward trend in grades and rigor, so it would make sense to choose your classes accordingly. Basically, you should plan to “peak” during senior fall and/or winter.

The seemingly backwards course load

This is essential for the student who knows what they want to specialize in before their junior year of high school. If you want to make the most of your summers, you’ll have to move courses around a little. I knew I was interested in Biology after taking Biology Advanced my sophomore year.

The takeaway for choosing courses

My advice for the brave, ambitious Ivy League hopefuls out there: find what you’re passionate about and interested in, figure out what accomplishments and credentials you need in your field to stand out, map out a way to get there (regardless of moving courses and commitments around), and go for it! Don’t let anyone discourage you.

Why do colleges see my transcripts?

There are a couple of reasons. 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.

Do colleges look for students?

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.

Do admissions officers care about senior year courses?

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.

Do transcripts reflect senior year courses?

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.

How to maintain GPA in college?

Follow up on your school applications and make sure they received all required documentation. Retake the SAT or ACT if there’s still time to submit better scores to schools. Keep your regular class grades up to maintain GPA. Finish up remaining admissions applications.

How to improve my SAT score?

Retake the SAT or ACT to improve your score if necessary. Complete and submit your college applications to beat deadlines. Check that your applications, letters, and test scores are received by schools in time. Submit your completed FAFSA form and other scholarship applications.

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September- October

  • Especially at more competitive schools, you must finish your high school career well. In fact, offers of admission can be contingent on your maintaining the course rigor and grades that they saw on your application. In other words, if you catch senioritisand slack off during your final yea…
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October-December

January-February

March-April

  1. Make a list of (and visit if possible) all the colleges to which you want to apply. Create a Common App account at CommonApp.org.
  2. If needed, register for the SAT® I or ACT®and SAT II (again, only if needed) for a test date this fall.
  3. Create an FSA ID (for the FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov/fsa-id.
  1. Make a list of (and visit if possible) all the colleges to which you want to apply. Create a Common App account at CommonApp.org.
  2. If needed, register for the SAT® I or ACT®and SAT II (again, only if needed) for a test date this fall.
  3. Create an FSA ID (for the FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov/fsa-id.
  4. Begin to fill out your college applications.

May

  1. If you registered for one, take your standardized test and have your test scores sent to the colleges to which you are applying.
  2. Complete and submit your applications before Thanksgiving for schools with a December or later deadline.
  3. Start researching scholarships and grants. Check with your school counselor on local schola…
  1. If you registered for one, take your standardized test and have your test scores sent to the colleges to which you are applying.
  2. Complete and submit your applications before Thanksgiving for schools with a December or later deadline.
  3. Start researching scholarships and grants. Check with your school counselor on local scholarship opportunities.

June

  1. Keep doing your best in your classes! Grades will continue to count throughout senior year.
  2. Have your mid-year grades sent to the colleges that have requested them.
  3. Complete as many scholarship applications as possible and submit them.
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