<p>So D’s guidance counselor has pounded into her head that she must take 5 academics every year…math, lab science, social studies, English and foreign language.</p>
<p>And yes, I have heard the same from many admissions people when we took older D around looking at colleges.</p>
<p>However D’s fantasy would be to drop science, math and or/ language to create room for more classes like photography, media arts, psychology or drama. (Currently she takes fine art and choir for her two electives.) She is a year ahead in math and science and has jsut completed algebra 2 /trig and chem as a sophomore.</p>
<p>More than likely she wants to be an art teacher and will be applying to either art schools or schools that offer BFA degrees.</p>
<p>Her reach schools (non-art) are probably NYU and Skidmore, although her art portfolio will be a factor in acceptance.</p>
<p>So, are the 5 academics necessary through senior year? If not, what would you give up and when?</p>
<p>they are not necessarily necessary. has your daughter already completed the hs requirements for graduation? </p>
<p>also, i dont think that it would be wise to replace too many of the core classes with arts classes. maybe half and half. definitely keep the core subjects that she’s strongest in, i would say. drop math or science maybe…?</p>
<p>Colleges prefer that high school students take a variety of classes each year, especially ones that they consider to be fundamental or important, such as math and science. Replacing 1 class won’t hurt too much, but more than that will probably cause some troubles. Also, taking Algebra 2 and Chemistry sophomore year is considered “normal” at most high schools/colleges.</p>
<p>If your daughter can take more than 5 classes, I think taking 6-7 is the way to go (It’s not daunting). For Junior year I suggest she take the 5 “core” subjects, but Senior year is a lot more appropriate to take numerous electives that fit her interests. For NYU, it’s extremely risky to drop math and science for those classes that she wants to take, especially during Junior year, the most important year in high school. According to NYU’s common data set, 3 years of math and science are required.</p>
<p>Since she’s not applying to only arts schools, I recommend she continue taking all academic classes, though dropping foreign language may be an option depending on how many levels she’s already taken.</p>
<p>But why is this an issue? Doesn’t she already have two spaces for electives?</p>
<p>She does have 2 spaces for electives. She is committed to taking the painting and drawing sequence culminating in AP art senior year. She is also taking choir and does not want to drop that since she is a strong vocalist, does the school musicals and is in an acapella group that makes choir mandatory.</p>
<p>So basically she has not had the opportunity to take other art electives (media arts, photography, etc.) which she would love to pursue.</p>
<p>AP art is very time consuming, so the time to take another art elective would have been junior year if she could get away with dropping an academic…</p>
<p>If she has taken four years of foreign language by her Sr. year, replacing that with an AP elective would not hurt her. Another choice is to take a required class either online or at a community college such as Government. This would free up another block her Sr. year. Five core classes, leaving 2 electives, is a schedule many students would be very happy to have! It sounds like your daughter has chosen her electives to match her talents and interests.</p>
<p>You spoke about your daughters ‘dream’ schedule, dropping math, science, and language. High school is a time to get a very comprehensive education. Most schools have a wide variety of classes for students with different interests, while keeping a well rounded academic schedule. The type of schedule your daughter is looking for is one that happens in the later years of college, after basic requirements are met. The other option is to attend a speciality trade/art school.</p>
<p>It’s hard to help them make these decisions. My son waited until his Sr year to take a single elective that was ‘non-academic’, music theory (he plays electric guitar). After speaking to his target schools he found that the fifth year of foreign language was going to be important in his case…and he’s an engineering major! It was his choice to make, but a tough one. He’s hoping to get that music class in college! :)</p>
<p>During the admissions session at ==some school, maybe Tufts?==the admissions representative stated that they liked to see seniors taking 5 “solids”, otherwise they considered it a very light load.</p>