"… Parents and students often ask, “Are AP courses really necessary?” The answer is both yes and no – depending on the student’s ambitions and college goals. When students apply to college, they are basically in competition with their peers. Most colleges want a geographically well-rounded student body. So, college admissions officers will compare all their applicants from the same high school and favor those with the most impressive academic record based on SAT scores, GPA, and competitive course load. " …