<p>For top 20-30 schools, are a LAUNDRY LIST of AP classes really required? As a Junior, I have only taken 1 AP class, and the maximum a student took in my school during junior year was 2. As a senior, I am taking 3 more AP classes. However, I want to know if taking loads of AP classes really boosts your admission chances. For example, at Georgetown University in DC, would I not be considered a qualified applicant due to low amount of AP courses taken? Please offer your thoughts!</p>
<p>Private schools with holistic admissions processes tend to consider academic record in context of what was available. If you took 4 because there were only 4 available, then it looks like you took the hardest schedule available. But if you took 4 when there 12 available (and you took the 4 easiest ones like Human Geography, Statistics, Psychology, and Environmental Science and skipped English Literature and Calculus BC), then that does not look so good.</p>
<p>The person above me is totally correct…</p>
<p>However, on another note: </p>
<p>Honestly, I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that so many AP classes are given. I think the entire program should be eliminated. I know that it’s good because it gives college credit, but I still think it’s ridiculous. Leave college material for what it is; college.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t it be unfair if one attends a school where 4 APs are offered and they take all of them, but another is attending a different school where 12 APs are offered meaning they’d have to take a substantial amount in order for their course to be rigorous?</p>
<p>Lesley: why knock a system which allows super high achievers to meet their needs? Your alternative is to leave bored students or graduate them early and send them to community college? Ought we not be celebrating the choices available on the top end and really focus on those on the lower end – who are struggling and potentially can drop out?</p>
<p>In my daughter’s 8th grade class was a boy who was taking AP calculus BC at the nearby High school. What route should he take in 9th and 10th grade?</p>
<p>Alan: it would be unfair if college admissions officers were senseless drones. But since I assume them not to be, they carefully evaluate each school and determine if the individual students (who don’t choose which school district they attend usually) are or are not the type of scholar they want. If indeed a kid attends a school that offers 12 APs and takes 1-2 of them and a takes an otherwise cream puff schedule and gets all As – how does that kid compare with the one who attempts 10 of them but gets a 3.87 GPA? I say the 2nd kid has better potential to take advantage of a rigorous college – and colleges agree as well. It’s all about context.</p>
<p>bb4life: it depends on how many were offered and how many you took and whether or not you’re applying to the most selective schools (top 20). APs are opportunities to push oneself academically and really shine. Know that your fellow GTown applicants tend to be those who push themselves academically. Otherwise, be secure that you’ve accomplished more than most. GOod luck to you</p>
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<p>Advanced high school students need something to keep them interested (just as advanced junior high school students take high school level courses, and advanced undergraduates take graduate level courses), though possible alternatives could include dual enrollment arrangements, or just going to community college.</p>
<p>However, the proliferation of low value AP courses and tests (e.g. Human Geography, Statistics) should be halted and reversed.</p>
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<p>9th grade: community college courses in multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations
10th+ grade: would need to find a four year college or university to take junior level math courses if interested</p>
<p>But that student is clearly very unusual, and it is unlikely that any high school would be able to offer sufficient math for that student. The more common case of being advanced is a junior high school student taking algebra I in 8th grade, reaching calculus in 12th grade.</p>
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<p>AP courses have been a very rewarding part of my high school. I think I’ll have to retake most of the courses, but in many cases, the AP courses at my high school were harder than that of several classes in good colleges.</p>
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<p>I’m taking AP Stat this year and I love it. However, I’ve heard that the AP Statistics exam is the easiest test given all year. It’s good to have a math courses that’s pretty practical and not for those who aren’t so totally math-inclined. I think the problem is the rigor of the test, not the test itself.</p>
<p>My school is very stringent about AP offerings. 95% of students will take their first AP in their junior year. Furthermore, it would be surprising to see any top student to take more than 4-5 AP courses.</p>
<p>my school is awesome about APs. I’m taking 7 per semester this year (senior year).</p>
<p>Going back to ucbalumnus, my senior year I am actually taking some of the harder AP courses, including AP Calc, AP Chem, and AP Spanish. My school also offers honors classes, which are advanced level but not AP. I take SOME of these honors classes each year, and my senior year I am taking Honors Physics and Honors Accounting. Will colleges know that I took 3 AP classes and 2 honors classes me senior year even if I apply early?</p>
<p>bumppp…anyone??</p>
<p>I think that taking a laundry list of APs is not necessary, but what is necessary is taking the most rigorous courseload available to you, and this often includes multiple AP classes, so ipso facto, yes APs help.</p>
<p>When you apply, you will list your senior year schedule.</p>
<p>Note that admission offers are contingent on doing well enough in your listed senior year schedule (i.e. doing poorly, or switching to easier courses, can get the admission offer rescinded).</p>
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<p>While courses for some of the low value AP tests like Human Geography and Statistics can be worthwhile courses for high school students to take, it would be misleading to label them as “college level” courses since they are not likely to be accepted by universities for subject credit. Indeed, “high school statistics” may be a more appropriate name for an AP Statistics course.</p>
<p>Or perhaps it means that AP has effectively become a national curriculum standard for high schools to offer to students going to selective universities? I.e. even if only a few of the AP tests really represent “college level” work, the rest exist to give incentive for high schools to offer good high school level courses to the university-bound students.</p>
<p>I feel like I can do well in the classes I have chosen, although they are tough. However, I want to apply early to schools. But I feel I could be rejected or looked bad upon due to low class rank/grades past year, even though I demonstrate positive trend. I am in top 18% of my class, I am looking to move into top 15%. Do I wait and apply regular so universities see my first semester grades or do I apply early and show my commitment to the school?</p>
<p>If you want to go to a top school you have to take a bunch of APs. No questions asked.</p>
<p>^not if the student’s hs doesn’t offer ap classes ;)</p>
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<p>Really? My school doesn’t offer APs as it believes that the educational system shouldn’t be a rat race where you study the material for a zillion APs just to impress colleges, try to do as well as you can in the exam, and forget all you “learnt” soon afterwards. Instead, they actually try to teach us how to think. If going to this school eliminates my chances to go to, say, Brown or Amherst, it’s a messed-up system and I’ll be returning to my home country, Italy.</p>
<p>^lucky you :(</p>
<p>Top colleges such as Georgetown want to see that you took the most rigorous classes that were offerred at your school. However they are aware that because of scheduling conflicts, etc., you may not be able to take every one of these classes. As I’ve mentioned in other thread you started,both your grades and SAT scores are below the 25th percentile for Georgetown, & now you’re questioning whether your courses are rigorous enough? It is time to be realistic & spend some energy at alternative colleges that are not as selective.</p>