It seems a lot of kids typically want more AP courses than less. Wouldn’t one less AP course “hurt” the OP’s transcript when colleges take a look? Or would the college analyze the transcript and know the OP is very bright and decided to skip AB?
My high school doesn’t weight GPAs. Although, even if it did, I’d still be interested in skipping to BC. Such a path would allow me to take a more advanced course senior year, where I’d feel adequately challenged. I’d sacrifice GPA if I felt I’d be learning more in a particular class.
No. For admissions purposes, I am of the opinion that after 6-8 total AP’s, each additional one will not strengthen the application. Now if an applicant is applying to a college with 8 AP’s and a classmate is applying to the same college with 12, there might be an advantage to the one taking 12, all else being equal. But in holistic admissions, all else is never equal, and AP’s are not an arms race where the one with the most wins.
While an applicant will spend hours and hours on an application, an AO will spend 10-15 minutes tops reading it. S/he does not have the time to microanalyze the transcript. If the GC checks the “most rigorous” curriculum box, the AO will just move on to the rest of the application.
I don’t know if it’s BS or not, but my D has gone to school with another student since they were young. About a year ago, the father and I were discussing admissions and he told me he was a Harvard interviewer. He said a minimum of 8 AP courses or they probably wouldn’t even look at the prospective student. So, I’m not sure about the 6-8 AP course amount being the figure where more doesn’t help. But it’s all hearsay.
/\ No problem. Your second reading is what I thought I said and meant. As a general rule however, getting back to your first concern, these same schools are going to want to see you take advantage of and do well in the most challenging courses available to you. That is a broad statement and doesn’t mean you have to graduate with 15 APs. OTOH, it is a reasonable question that if you did not take full advantage of your high school course offerings, why would the adcoms think you will take advantage of the strengths of their institution? That voracious aptitude for knowledge is apparent in unusual kids and with sub 10% admit rates at the most selective schools, they can and do look for this.
Take the easiest class available and do well. Relax, you could do Calculus in college.
Personally, I would not recommend doing AB and then BC, as you’re essentially repeating material for an entire semester. Taking BC to begin with seems like a big challenge, but it is completely possible if you are dedicated.