<p>so I've been reading up on what types of AP classes students take when they want to go to MIT, and I'm kind of confused. What is the norm at MIT for number of AP classes? If you went to MIT or know someone who did can you answer this please. At my school you have to be at least a Junior and sometimes a Senior to take AP classes. And I don't know if this is normal, but in order to take, for example, AP Physics, you would have to take Physics first. We only have 6 hours in our school day and the max number that any student can possibly fit into his or her schedule is 8 at most. Can anyone tell me if this will hurt my chances at MIT? And also the number of APs that most MIT students had taken in high school. Thanks in advance</p>
<p>calm down…look, there is no specific number of AP’s for MIT, or on that note, any college…(Caltech might be an exception haha) But just take as many AP’s as you feel comfortable with and take AP’s that highlight your interests</p>
<p>Read this:</p>
<p>[MIT</a> Admissions | Blog Entry: “Many Ways To Define “The Best””](<a href=“http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/before/recommended_high_school_preparation/many_ways_to_define_the_best.shtml]MIT”>http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/before/recommended_high_school_preparation/many_ways_to_define_the_best.shtml)</p>
<p>In general, calm down and don’t stress over it. Put your energy into something more productive. And there’s no “typical” number of AP classes taken by MIT students. Yes, some have taken tons, but some have only taken a small number (myself included) and some haven’t even taken any (gasp!)</p>
<p>I remember reading that the average number of AP’s taken over all 4 years for an MIT admit was 4 or 5 exams.</p>
<p>My son had around 5 AP classes and 5 college classes. Of course there are students who have significantly more but he has friends at MIT that had quite a few less.</p>
<p>The basic rule of thumb is that MIT students tend to challenge themselves, and push themselves a little bit. As a result, MIT admissions is broadly looking for kids who have taken the most stimulating curriculum offered by their secondary school. This then determines what sort of AP preparation is appropriate. </p>
<p>If your school offers a huge number of AP courses, and most college-bound seniors take a half dozen or more AP’s then applying to MIT with 3 AP exams may seem paltry. Similarly if your school offers no AP courses, then applying to MIT with those self-same 3 AP exams may seem very impressive. As with everything with MIT admissions, what matters is not what the objective number is, but what that number means IN CONTEXT.</p>
<p>I echo what’s already been said. I’d add, though, that you can take AP tests even without taking the courses. This is one extra way to demonstrate initiative, love of learning, and challenging yourself. I would not do this, though, unless you have learned the material very well, such as in a dual-enrollment course at a local college or with a year or two of the same non-AP course and a lot of extra preparation. I would not consider this necessary at all, just another “extra.”</p>