<p>For example, if I were to take an English class that was not AP versus an English class that was AP because I felt that the teacher of the class would prepare me better for college, would that make me look bad? I can still take the AP test and it will show up that I passed it on my transcript, however, it won't say that I took the course.</p>
<p>I am in this situation because the English teacher's at my school do not expect much of the students, however, this one teacher that runs a non-AP course is incredibly respected and I learn so much! Like, we write at least 30 essays in a year, but in the other classes only 3 at least.
He said that he would write us a recommendation for college if we took his non-AP class...but I don't know if it's worth it. Do colleges really care that much about recommendations? (I'm going for Ivy!)</p>
<p>Yes, recs count a lot. As long as you are taking the most difficult courses that the school is offering as a rule, taking a non AP English course is not necessarily going to hurt you, most certainly not if you take it junior year and get a 4 or 5 on the AP exam. If you take it senior year, the colleges won’t know your score until the decisions are out.</p>
<p>Do check this teacher’s/class’s AP exam grade rate with your guidance office. Also what has been the track record of previous years’ kids who have done this? </p>
<p>I did this myself many years ago, and it was no issue whatsoever for any of us who took the non AP course, but the teacher had an incredible track record that way.</p>
<p>I think as long as you take a solid cadre of AP courses, you do not have to take every one offered. My D did not apply to any Ivies, but she was accepted this year at Swarthmore, U of Chicago, and Harvey Mudd. I think the strength of her recommendations was very important. One of the things I think her teachers and counselors said about her is that she is a student who is genuinely interested in learning, not just someone going for the rubber stamp “hardest courses available” “must have all As” philosophy. She only had a 3.7 GPA (unweighted) and is not “hooked” for admissons. Her school does not even allow students to take APs until senior year. I don’t think one more AP on your transcipt would tip you toward an Ivy, but a great recommendation from a teacher who said you were truly passionate about their subject might.</p>
<p>“I did this myself many years ago, and it was no issue whatsoever for any of us who took the non AP course, but the teacher had an incredible track record that way.”</p>
<p>Cptofthehouse, the teacher has been offered 4 times to teach AP Composition and 5 times to teach AP Literature but he turned both of them down because he would rather teach regular European Literature due to it being based more on Philosophy and reading the great works of Plato, Aristotle, etc. I talked to the school advisor and him and they both said he was known by colleges for his English teaching skills. I hope him suggesting that I take European Literature is in my best interest.</p>