My school does not have a lot of AP’s that I like to take (i.e. economics, computer science, etc). I mean they have the standard ones for sure like gov, ushistory, calc. But not what i am all too interested in. But I’ve heard from people who got into Penn Class of 2021, that the rigor of your transcript is supppperrrr important to admissions.
What are ways you would suggest to show that you had rigor even if your transcript doesn’t have a lot of AP’s?
Right now, I am self-studying for the AP Macro and Mirco exam. I am also enrolled and taking a class at my local community college on top of school.
I’m trying to get in some subject tests too…
Any tips and suggestions? I’m specifically regarding Penn admissions.
If you will not have many APs, I would start with AP English Language & AP Calc BC. Those are probably the first two they look for.
Why those two? What makes you say that?
While the type of APs deem worthwhile for top schools vary somewhat based on intended major of studies, I notice these FIVE APs rank high among the AOs I talk to - AP Lang, AP Calc BC, AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Lit (or AP Phy) - some APs are total nonsense like a Chinese kid taking AP Chinese… APES, APHG, APUH are generally regarded as blowoffs, AP Mico/Macro/WH/Pscy are useful for Humanities majors. AP-Art are useful for Art majors. JMHO…
@helloletsbegin “Why those two? What makes you say that?”
The reason is that English and math provide the enabling tools/skills to study all other subjects. I would add that English is the most critical because you can’t study anything without it. If you are strong at those two subjects,any college major is open to you.
As my parents used to say, “It always comes back to the 3 Rs: Reading, (w)riting, and (a)rithmetic.”
doing AP Bio and AP Chem would be impressiive for business? or are you just naming ones in general?
One AP vs. another will never be deemed as more “impressive.” However, every single AO knows that not all AP’s are created equal. AP Physics C will always be viewed as more rigorous than AP Human Geography, as an example.
@helloletsbegin, I agree with others. The reason your school is offering the ‘standard’ AP classes you don’t like is that these are the ones most sought after by colleges. The rule of thumb is that you should take the most rigorous course load your school offers that you can personally succeed in.
So if your school offers the classes, you need to take at least AP Lit/AP Comp - preferably both - and AP Calc. You can get away with AB Calc if you’re not strong in math
If you are terrible at math and can’t take AP Calc, you will need to show you are a strong student in non-math subjects, which would include rigorous AP classes that involve rigorous reading/writing, such as any AP history, AP Gov. etc.
If you want to be major in a science or pre-med, AP Bio and AP Chem and AP Physics are great. Other AP courses are also geared to fields of study, eg AP Art as someone posted above, or AP Music Comp.
AP Macro and Micro is fine to self-study for, but it should be on top of the other “core” AP classes you’re already taking.
You can also take other AP classes on top of what I’d call ‘core’ ones, eg AP Stats, AP Environment, AP any foreign language, etc.
But bottom line, you should not avoid AP Lit/AP Comp and AP Calc. Good luck.
Colleges typically don’t like self studying all that much - they want you in class, participating, taking tests. Community College classes are good - doing well shows you’re ready to handle the pace of a college class.
“core” AP’s include: AP English, AP Lit, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Foreign Language, AP Bio, AP Chem, APUSH, APWH, APEH. Those are hard and cover “core” subjects. Take your pick among those - taking 4 or 5 total over the course of HS would be very good.
“complementary” AP’s are : AP Art History, AP Music Theory, AP Micro/Macro, AP Gov, AP CS, etc. These are tough but elective. Sprinkle sparingly to complement your schedule.
“AP Lite”: APES, AP Psych, AP Stats, AP Human Geography. Good as a complement to a full schedule.
An ambitious freshman would have AP Human Geog, a sophomore would have something like an AP History and an AP CS or perhaps AP Psych, and jr+sr year would have 3-4 AP’s each with AP English Language junior year.
Remember that adcoms don’t think “oh wow, this candidate took all 16 Ap’s his school offered, wow that’s so impressive!” They’re as likely to think “this is an AP junkie, taking classes just for the AP label, unable to balance a schedule…”