I took many honors classes freshman-junior year. I’m now taking my first AP class my senior year. Do colleges views these types of classes as the same? Are they both considered rigorous?
They’re not viewed the same. AP is seen as more rigorous than honors. Honors is more rigorous than regular courses.
However, colleges look at your rigor in the context of what your school offers. If you were not allowed to take AP courses prior to senior year they wont hold it against you.
It depends on what is considered rigorous in your HS since not all schools have similar offerings. One of the items counselors send in the school report is an example of the most rigorous schedule – the schedule of the topmost applicants. If yours closely matches that, then you’re OK. If it veers greatly, then your schedule will be evaluated in that light.
@Lagging that’s not necessarily true. The honors courses at my school are much more in-depth and challenging than AP courses.
@ap012199 At the vast majority of schools AP will be more rigorous. AP scores can also sometimes be used to test out of some college requirements. The same is not true for a less standardized “honors” class considering there’s no national exam for them. In general AP is more rigorous and I’d expect that your GC would have to specify in their letters/communications with colleges if honors is more rigorous.
Depends on the college and high school.
Note that some AP courses are not necessarily preferable to other courses.
Skipping a level 3, 4, or higher foreign language, precalculus in math, or one of the three main sciences to take an elective AP like human geography, statistics, or environmental science may not be the best preparation for college (both admissions and attendance).
Not in our school. Students look forward to the easier AP courses as they become juniors and seniors.
At my DD’s school some honors classes are more rigorous than AP and Have an AP as a prerequisite. For example, students need to score a 4 or 5 on Calculus BC in order to take Multivariable Calculus.
In general, colleges see rigor as regular is the least, honors is the middle, AP/IB is the highest.
In your school report, the counselor will explain how a rigorous schedule looks at your school and what your school offers.