At my high school, AP Macro and AP Gov are combined into a 1-year class where we do each class for 1 semester. However, I’ve read online that some high schools offer each of these courses for 1 year each. So would these count as 1 or 2 years given that they are 0.5 a credit each at my high school and are semester-long classes? I think it would be unfair to kids at my high school who take both of these classes a semester each to award 1 year of social studies compared to giving a high school which keeps each course as a year-long class 2 years of social studies. Thanks in advance 
Are AP Macro Econ. and AP US Gov. considered 1 or 2 years of social studi by highly selective unies?
My dd’s high school was the same as yours. Gov was 1 semester, Econ the other. Colleges will see on your transcript that your school offered them as semester courses. IMO, that shows more rigor. If you take the AP tests, they count as 2 AP classes, not one.
In terms of how a college will look at it in terms of years of study, most competitive schools want to see 3 - 4 years of history/social studies classes. How that’s defined probably depends on the college but I don’t think you’ll be penalized in any way, especially if you’ve taken US, and Euro or World history.
@momofsenior1 Does AP Macro and AP Gov being 2 Social Studies classes translate to 2 years of Social Studies though? I will have AP HUGE and Normal USH along with these 2 classes btw.
My son’s high school did the same thing, but it’s considered 1 year total of social sciences.
DD’s HS considered it one year too.
I still think that for college purposes you’ll be fine since you’ll have three years with HUGE and USH.
Another HS with one year total, half econ half gov.
@momofsenior1 Yeah, but it would put me behind applicants who have 4 years of social sciences at unies like ND and Umich.
Maybe I could take normal world history over the summer of sophomore year so I get 4 years of social studies? Would that be worth it (summer school is a pain in the ass)?
I don’t think that is necessary, nor will it hurt you in admission.
a normal sequence for Social Sciences in California (sounds like you are there) would be to take World/European History in 10th, US History in 11th, and US Govt/Economics in 12th. Some schools have HUG for 9th. I doubt if you would be penalized for anything.
@ProfessorPlum168 I didn’t take world history this year though (i’m a sophomore). Should I stick with 3 years of social studies or should I go to summer school for world history in order to get 4 years if I plan to apply to highly selective unis? Btw, I’m from the midwest
most high schools will only require 3 years of social sciences, so you’re still good. I’m surprised a bit that your HS let you take a 9th grade social science class but allowed you not to take one in 10th. If ND or UM suggests 4 years, then you probably should take something in the summer or take an official class online (AP makes sense) or take a social science class like World History at a community college.
However,
I looked at UM’s suggested requirements for all schools and it says 3 years: https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/freshmen-applicants/college-preparation
I also looked at the University of California system requirements which includes UCLA and UC-Berkeley, and it said 2 years:
Two years of college-preparatory history/social science required, including: one year of world history, cultures or historical geography, and one year of U.S. history; or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.
APHUG is not really equivalent to a year of World or European history. This sequence would not meet the graduation requirements in most California districts.
Colleges consider them however your HS considers them. If they are taught as one semester each, then colleges consider them as one semester classes. If they are taught as year-long classes, then colleges consider each a year-long class. You can debate the fairness (although not on this site), but it is what it is.
Let’s just assume that the OP is meeting HS graduation requirements. If the OP is considering a CA public, APHG counts as an “A” course under World History / Cultures / Historical Geography
Neither requires 4 years of social sciences. In fact, there are very very few colleges that do. I would not get too worked up about it.
@skieurope Its not about requirements, it’s just that I don’t want to ruin my chances at my dream school over social studies. I feel like most people who get admitted to top schools who say “3-4 years of social science recommended” will probably have 4 years. Would taking world history at a community college be a less stressful experience that summer schools if I were to do so or should I not bother if I have all the other cores covered to the recommendation ( 3 years social studies, 4 years science, 3 foreign language, 5 math, 4 English ) Thanks
How many classes a semester do you have? My kids go to a school that block schedules, so each of those classes happen in only half of their school year, but they are year’s worth of work? So instead of 7 x 55min classes everyday, they have 4 x 1 hour 55 min classes per day. Usually at semester, they take an entirely different schedule of 4 new classes. Some people knock out 4 years of language in 2 years, or are able to squeeze in 2 math classes in one year.
What also helps is some of the more difficult APs are a block and a half. So they get 50% more instruction time on AP Calc AB and BC, AP Lit, APEuro are the four that span 1 1/2 blocks.
If you do not get into your “dream school,” it will not be because you “only” had 3 years of history/social sciences.
@skieurope Thanks for the advice. With all of that being said, would taking a normal level high school world history class in summer school enhance my application significantly and is it worth taking (given that I’ll have APHUGE, AP Macro, and AP Gov. and with Us History)?
I’m of the opinion that summers are great times to strengthen an application with extracurricular pursuits. So, no, I can think of better uses for your summer.
@skieurope I agree with that statement. I plan to get the PVSA gold award (250 hours of service) this summer which should be more than enough to solidify the volunteering aspect of my college application.