<p>I am really worried about the APs and I wonder how serious my chances would be affected if I only have one AP showing. </p>
<p>I am studying in a school where not a lot of APs are offered. Besides, all APs are senior courses and every student need to take the prerequisites first in order to take the courses. In addition, my timetable only allows me to take some APs in the second semester and as a result I will not be able to take the exams in May (not all materials will have been covered by that time). I've been thinking about self-studying but I really don't have enough time to ensure me getting 5s considering my courseload now (really heavy, though it cannot be related to APs and IBs). Finally, I do spend a lot of time reading and I don't really want to give it up (should I give it up to do the APs? Suggestions?)
What should I do then? Could I just ask my guidance cousellor to indicate my situation in the letter? </p>
<p>Another question: say I want to major in economics after high school but our school does not offer economics courses at all and I don't have time to self-study the APs. However, I do spend a lot of time reading one aspect of the economic books and have some insights in this particular aspect (I know that I want to do research in this sub-field of economics; it is very specific). Should I still talk about my deep interest in my essay even though I don't really have an AP or whatever to "justify" what I am saying?</p>