I know we live in a world of over-achievers and kids are taking 10 - 14 APs these days, but that was not what worked for us. Rather than going for quantity, we went for quality and focused on subjects of particular interest rather than trying to beef up the transcript for its own sake. This may or may not have been a good idea, but it’s what we did. With good grades weighted GPA of 4.6 - top 15%), SAT (taking in March, but practice tests have been between 1400 and 1470), extra-curriculars that show sustained interest and growth, is that enough?
What does your guidance counselor say? You want to take the most rigorous classes available. Also, your use of “we” and “us” is confusing.
Guidance counselor was unable to provide much assistance. Everyone says take most rigorous classes available, but that doesn’t always make sense for the student. Just trying to ascertain whether or not every applicant out there is loaded down with APs or if students who stick to APs in areas of primary interest are still considered strong candidates. I know there’s a whole host of other considerations, but I am asking about this point in particular. Sorry if plural pronouns were confusing - I am a parent posting about specifics related to my child so I used the plural)
The parents here are very free with advice, but they don’t care much for theoretical discussions. If you list your child’s courses, grades and ECs, they will no doubt make many suggestions.
Your child’s rigor and course choices will be evaluated against what is offered at your school. That is a conversation for the GC.
At my dd’s HS, to have the “most rigorous” boxed check required a combination of 15-18 honors/AP/DE courses throughout HS. Because of course sequencing, and school restrictions on when students could begin AP coursework, the most AP courses possible by graduation was only 8. I have friends in other schools whose kids had double that number of AP courses. It totally depends on the high school.
That said, course rigor does matter for competitive schools. If your child has a “spike” in courses based on interest, find colleges that value that. They do exist.
The rigor of an applicant’s high school curriculum is very important for admission to a top 50 school. This is especially true at Villanova, where most applicants come from affluent suburban public and private high schools which offer a full complement of AP courses.
After 8 (well chosen) APs the law of diminishing returns applies.
What those APs are matters so if you listed them we’d be able to tell you more.
No matter what don’t forget to run the NPC.
On addition, Honors classes also matter. If you want a good evaluation can you list ALL classes taken 9-11?