Do the classes you take in your senior year count?

Question

Ok I have 2 questions. First of all, should I join the Academic Decathalon team next year in my junior year? I want to because I have done any extracurricular activities nor joined any clubs at school. However I'm taking a lot of difficult classes next year including AP U.S. History and AP Calculus. I'm already doing poorly in Math Analysis right now so I have a lot to study for Calculus next year. On the plus side, AcaDeca's theme for next year is the Civil War, I'd be getting a lot of practice for AP U.S. History. However, I've been told that AP Calculus is very time comsuming.

SO I thought about taking AcaDeca in my senior year... but don't you have to send your applications to the colleges in by November of your senior year? If I join the Academic Decathalon then, will it be too late?

So I have two questions: Should I join the Academic Decathalon next year or wait until my senior year of high school? Do the classes you take in your senior year count?

Thanks

Answer 1

You are looking at education in a completely off way. You should do what you enjoy. If I were you though, I would join in my junior year and see how it goes (I'm currently a senior college student studying physics and math). If it gets too hard, you can always quit for academic reasons. It is true that it does not look too good if you don't have any extracurricular activities. I am on the scholarship committee to interview incoming freshman for the top scholarships (I have been for 3 years) and many of our questions revolve around leadership roles and challenges you have faced in high school and how you overcame them. By participating in an extracurricular, you will be better able to convincingly answer these questions.

It is true that applications are due at the beginning of your Senior year. Many of mine, however, even the early decision ones, weren't due untill December. And our scholarship interviews were in January or February. So, joining your senior year would be better than nothing, but joining your junior year will definately look better on applications and interviews and things.

On a brighter note, if you do well on tests and do have good grades, you will get decent scholarships somewhere. It really just depends on where you want to go. For more selective schools, you really need something that sets you apart from the rest of the students with a high GPA and good test scores (ACT, SAT). In these cases, your extracurriculars can be extremely important. From talking with faculty members and being on the scholarship committee, it does seem though that being involved in one group and having an active leadership role is better than being involved in many things and not doing much in any.

As far as classes you take your senior year go, things such as Calculus and Sciences were definately important for me, but depending on what area you want to go into in college, that will determine which classes are going to be important for you. College in general, at most places, is more difficult than high school. You have to study more, you have more to do and less time. So getting used to time management by joining this club may not be a bad thing. But don't just take the classes to get a grade. I've seen so many people do that. I'm a tutor for freshman Physics, and it seems like every year there are people coming in for calculus based Physics who can't do basic algebra. Don't learn for the grade, learn to know. That's how you'll succeed in college (again this definately does depend on your major though).

I say join the club. It can really only help you. But again, it depends on how selective the school you are trying to get into is.

Something to keep in mind if you decide to send in applications later: It makes you ineligable for a lot of scholarships. Even at places with a rolling admission, there are deadlines for scholarship considerations.

Answer 2

Everything you do in your high school career counts. Even after you've been accepted to college, they can take back your acceptance if you start slacking. I'm a senior right now and I had an admissions counselor from the University of Rochester, which is now a new Ivy League, tell me that your senior year is just as important as your junior year despite what some people say.
Also, I have to say that AP Calculus is extremely difficult. I have had a 95 average in math since I can remember up until this year. I actually struggled a lot and it takes a lot of work. It's not one of those classes that you can study for during the period before the test. I had to study for 15 hours just to get an 87 on the midterm and I had one of the highest grades.
I know you are trying to fit everything in so it will look good for colleges, but seriously, you don't want to over do it. This year was my first year taking APs and I'm only taking 2 and and I haven't been extremely involved in outside activities and I've been accepted to all my colleges and I've received scholarships. I would really just try not to stress out about it too much. Good luck with everything!

Ooh, and you don't always have to send in your college apps by November. I know people who are still sending some it. You should look up some of the deadlines for your colleges and see what they say. Some colleges have rolling admissions so you can apply up until like April or something.

Answer 3

Ok, so i took pre-calc in my sophmore year, AP chemistry, did two orchestras which took 4 days of the week, and I failed both those classes. Basically, I just had way to much on my plate and I didn't realize how difficult those two classes would be. So for you, I would suggest just joining Academic Decathalon your senior year. The classes you take senior year do count, but probably not as much as your previous high school years. Colleges look at your freshman, sophmore, and junior grades, and your current senior grades. What they want to see in your senior year is that you are still taking challenging classes, probably IB or AP and that you are doing good in them.

Answer 4

Yes, to both. The acadeca is a great extra circular activity that colleges like to see. And, although senior classes dont count on class rank and will not be on your transcript, most colleges request an official senior year transcript from your school or you. As for your A.P. classes, there great to have but if there hurting you drop out before you start cause once you do you cant get out (at least in my school).

Answer 5

Classes in your senior year count.
They send your transcript when you request it and send your application, which will show your first semester classes.
There is also a final transcript sent to the college when you graduate.
Colleges can revoke your acceptance if your grades have dropped drastically on your final transcript.
Maybe do AcaDeca junior year, and save AP calculus for your senior year?
or look into taking AP Stats if its offered. Its easier, but still an AP credit.

Answer 6

Every class counts, your senior classes are just as important as the freshman classes. Do as much as you are comfortable with, be be aware of this, next years classes will be rough and there is no next year to fall back on. Put as much time and energy into your schooling as possible, keep your GPA high. It will cost you a year of hard work, it will pay off over your entire life.

Answer 7

Yes! Senior year could make the detirmining difference.