May 1, 2021 is College Decision Day, the deadline for seniors to pick their college. Leading up to this national decision day, the winter and spring months seem marketed specifically towards seniors and their decision. However, this is also a very important time for juniors who have to finalize their college search list and select their classes for senior year. Although it is often not mentioned on college tours, admissions counselors look at your courses; quantity, level, and interest to gain a better understanding of who you are as a student.
So, how do you create a senior schedule that catches the eye of College Admissions?
- Your senior year comes with special events and moments that you dream of the three years leading up to it, from senior skip days to the best, closest parking spots so you can fit in one extra snooze on your alarm. It also comes with the ability to take extra study halls. Use study halls as a time to fill out your Common App, get ahead on school work, leave early, or spend time with lifelong friends who you may be parting ways with next fall, however do not fill your schedule with only study halls. Tell the story of your initiative and drive through your class selection.
- Take elective courses you are interested in, especially if it is something that you may want to major in. When I applied to Bentley University, well-known for its business curriculum and career services, I was able to show my interest in marketing through the marketing courses I had taken sophomore, junior, and senior year as well as my Fashion Merchandising project where I placed nationally. This showed that I had already been introduced to business, had excelled in business competitions, and continued to take courses focused on different functional areas of business. If you are interested in Graphic Design, you could take a combination of art classes and digital design classes; allowing you to create a strong portfolio to submit along with your application.
- It is okay to not be in the Top 10% with a perfect GPA. It is so important to use your voice and share your story through your college essay or in an interview. If there is a reason you may have struggled at times with your grades, you should make colleges aware of this. Most of the time, colleges aren’t looking for a 4.0, they are looking for the recognition and improvement.
- AP or IB courses not only show your ability to perform as a student in more advanced, college-level courses, but also give you the opportunity to save money on college courses by submitting your scores to receive credit. Most colleges will accept 4s or 5s and have a list of accepted courses available on their website. Set a goal for yourself on the number of AP courses you hope to take and make sure to select courses that you excel in or are interested in. This is a time to show your strengths as a student, but as Tufts University Admissions said in a blog post written by current Tufts students, “strength is measured by your performance in the curriculum, so know yourself and your abilities”. In other words, taking an AP does not automatically give you an advantage in the admissions process. What sets you apart is when you perform well in the class.
- Find balance. It is important to take a variety of classes, especially common core classes: English, Math, History, Science, and Foreign Language. As you get into your senior year it is okay to focus on your areas of interest. So, engineers, it’s okay to double up on math while also taking AP Physics 2. And History buffs, you’re welcome to forgo your fourth year of Spanish and make room for AP Euro.
- When you start to finalize your college list, go to collegetripsandtips.com to read our college guides and plan the perfect trip.
I hope these tips help you to create a schedule that sets you apart from others in the college admissions process. It is most important to be true to you – the right college will want to accept you for the person you are!
