What is the ideal senior year schedule to have before applying to the UC schools?

Question

One of the UC selection factors is the "strength of the senior year course load."I want to show them that I am not taking the year off and that I am serious about my studies but I want to take some "fun classes" so I don't "fry my brain." I plan on applying to UCI, UCLA, and UCSD and I have over a 4.0 GPA counting 10th and 11th grades.
Classes to choose from: (I have to take a course in english and American Democracy/Economics. my school schedule can fit five classes)
1. AP English Literature or regular English
2. AP American Government/Economics, regular government/economics, or online gov./econ
3. AP Environmental Science
4. Physiology
5. Marine Science
6. Advanced Ceramics(one semester)
7. AP Art History
8. AP European History
9. Sociology(one semester)
10. school newspaper.
I am also planning to take a UC-transferable calculus course at a community college after school.

Answer 1

You don't have to totally pack your schedule with APs, just show you aren't slacking off. Do the most impressive sounding ones in the first semester, and then taper off more the second semester. I'd do one fun class the first semester.

For you, the first semester should be:

AP English Lit (on the harder side)
AP American Gov't (a REALLY easy AP class to give you a breather, yet still sounds good cuz it's an AP class)
Physiology (or Marine Science if you want an easier science class)
AP Euro History (another possibly tough course)
School newspaper

That gives you 3 APs and a science class. That shows a pretty tough course load. I figured school newspaper is a fun class, but it also looks good as something extra curriculary. Otherwise, Advanced Ceramics is a good substitute.

2nd semester, take AP Econ and AP Art History or AP Environmental Science. Just 2 of them. Fill in the other 3 slots with whatever you want.

Answer 2

It's true that universities expect applying applicants to not have a slack off year in there senior year but that also dosen't mean that your schedule has to be all AP/advanced classes.

It's definatly true that you should take a fun class so that you don't overload yourself. I don't know how many advanced classes a semmester you have previously taken but taking too many of them can be quite stressful and maybe harmful to your GPA if you can't deal with all of it.

I'd suggest a schedule that is 2 advanced classes (English and Government since there are needed classes) 2 medium level classes (ones that aren't AP but aren't considered easy classes) such as Physiology, sociology. and then 1 class that you feel would be a fun class. (which only you would know since you are more familiar with the class structures and teachers at your school.) This would be a balanced schedule and show that you aren't slacking off ,but that you aren't overwhelming yourself either.

If you are used to advanced classes and don't think it would be too stressfull then at most, make it 3 advanced classes. 1 medium level class and then 1 easy class. This would be a quite balanced schedule but again, only if you feel that you are comfortable with advanced classes as they can be overwhelming to some.

Another BIG factor in getting into universities is after-school activities. Although a high GPA is a must, taking harder classes is a good sign, so is after-school activities. Universities want to see students who do community service and are active in clubs, and this makes you stand out more then someone who only focused on grades.

If you have been actively doing community and club activities then taking 3 advanced courses and a few activities would be a balanced schedule as long as you feel you wouldn't be overwhelmed.

If you haven't been or feel you should do more in the after school activities, go for the 2 advanced 2 medium and 1 easy class along with some good extra-curricular activities.

Hope that helps

Answer 3

The best advice is take all AP classes (do good in them) and participate in many activities after school and out of school. Also, after really early to amp your chances.