AP Overload???

Test Preparation
1

Ok, first of all I am planning schools on the more competitive side (Stanford first choice & ivies) which is why I am putting myself through so much pressure. And my future planned major is CS or another engineering major.

I am currently a sophomore, taking Pre-Calc, US History I, Biology, AP Physics I, and American Lit. AP tests I am signed up for: AP Physics I and AP Computer Science Principles. Looking at decision threads for interested colleges I realized my AP’s were pretty weak. So after a little “research” I’ve made a list of AP’s I wanted to take before: APUSH, AP Computer Science A, AP Chem, AP Lang, AP Calc BC, and AP Physics C E&M and Mech. Then there are the exams I was told were easy to self study, that I also want to take: AP Env. Sci., AP Bio, AP Human Geography, AP Psych, AP US Gov.

Looking back this is a lot of AP’s(13!) and I am planning on cutting the list down, but even if it were less I would only have next year to take them all (because I want them to be on my college apps), coupled with the fact that my school either doesn’t offer a good chunk of these courses and if they do it’s only offered to seniors (APUSH, AP Chem, AP Calc BC). This would mean I would have to self-study (Some of my classes will supplement these courses like I am taking Chem Honors and US History II Honors next year) a good amount of these.

Along with AP I also have SAT II’s to take I’ve already taken Math 2(800) and plan to try to get Physics, Chem and Literature, done either this year or next.

My question is do you think this is manageable? Whether or not, what are some tips you have for me whether it be which AP’s to not take or which ones to push to senior year or some tips on how to go about prepping?

2

It’s not weak. Most HS’s limit the amount of AP’s that a freshman or sophomore can take, if they can even take any at all. Most AP courses are taken by juniors and seniors. Having said that, here are a couple of points:
• Colleges want applicants to take the most challenging courseload they can within the framework of their HS’s curriculum.
• Colleges do not expect AP exams if the HS does not offer the course
• Colleges are not impressed by self studying AP courses
• The law of diminishing returns kicks in after you take 6-8 AP classes; each additional one, while perhaps beneficial for other reasons, will not add appreciably to your college application.
• If you know what courses are easy to self study, you should assume colleges have that knowledge as well. FYI, Bio is not easy to self study, IMO.

So the question is not “Is is manageable?” The question is “Is this the best use of my time.” I would say no.

3

Listen to @skieurope . He knows what he is talking about. The time you spend doing homework for unnecessary APs is much better spent on ECs, home work, other test prep, etc…

4

Also if you are looking for credit at Stanford for example, they do not take many AP credits. https://registrar.stanford.edu/students/transfer-credit-and-advanced-placement/advanced-placement/ap-credit-chart

5

If you want these 13 (or however many you end up taking) A.P. exams to “be on [your] college apps,” I caution against thinking that 13 will be any better than, say, 6. In fact, the Common App has room for only 8 A.P. test scores, at least to my knowledge. Maybe someone else can clarify whether students send in test score supplements with their Common App, but I wouldn’t think so.

In other words, colleges like Stanford will not be seeing all 13 of these A.P. exam scores. You can always take 13 and choose your 8 best scores; the Common App does, after all, ask for your “best scores.” However, I’d caution against thinking that 13 A.P. exams will help your admission prospects.

ALSO… check the credit policies of the colleges you’re applying to. Many students, including myself, fall prey to the idea that the more A.P. exams you take, the better off you are. Stanford, for instance, will only accept your scores from Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science A, and Physics (both). Whether you consider 5/13 a strong return on investment is up to you.

Of course, Stanford likely isn’t the only school you apply to. And Stanford isn’t exactly the best school with which to judge how many A.P. exams to take. Other schools, namely public schools, will offer more credit for A.P. classes. Some even offer advanced standing, such as Harvard.

In sum, I recommend checking the credit policies at each school you plan on applying to (or hope to be in the running for) to see which exams are worth taking. None of us can judge whether 13 A.P. exams is “overload” for you. What we can do, however, is judge whether it will be worth it, as skieurope mentioned.

The post above mine has the link to Stanford credit, which I’m sure you’ve looked at. It’s a good place to start. I used the credit prospects of my top choice schools to make my choices about A.P. exams this year. Maybe you can consider doing the same. Good luck!

6

Hey - I was in your EXACT situation two years ago. Please, for the love of god, re-evaluate your list. My school limited the # of APs I could take freshman and sophomore year, so I decided to take all AP junior and senior year. I only realized that this was a huge waste of time after it was too late. Instead of taking so many APs, focus on more interesting extracurriculars. Colleges understand that you COULD take that many APs, but they don’t really care after you break the 8~9 AP mark. As a junior, I realized that I wanted to go to MIT, and I thought taking a ton of APs was the way to get in. I took 7 APs, studied like crazy all year, and got 5s on all but two of them, thinking that would boost my application (I was deferred, which is really just a polite rejection). If I had decided to work on a research project or a startup in the time I spent doing senseless AP Spanish homework (or any other stupid elective AP that I felt the need to take because it had the “AP” title), maybe I would be in a different situation right now.

7

I would talk to your counselor about those AP’s that are only available for senior year. Try to see if you can get into these classes. I took AP Stat as a sophomore (easier AP, got a 5) even though it only allows senior because I talked to my counselor. Also, AP Bio is NOT an easy self-study. Good luck!

8

If your school offers calculus BC, AP chemistry and APUSH to seniors only, take those during senior year and make sure your guidance counselor explains this is the rule at your school. Colleges want you in class, getting tested, participating, not 'self studying '.
Stanford makes it very clear it’s not 'a game if who has the most AP ‘s wins’. A strong ec wher e you make a measurable impact on your high school or your community will mean more than a bunch of extra AP 's.