Hi there, college confidential lads. I am an 11th grader (Junior) currently studying in a high school that is a mix of the US and UK curriculum (SABIS). I am very stressed out because I want to enter a good American university but I’m not sure how many APs I should take. I’m not very sure about my major but I will probably study medicine. My school offers APs,IGCSEs,SAT Subjects tests, A Levels, you name it and we have it. This year I decided to take AP Psychology,AP United States Government and Politics, AP Macroeconomics,AP Comparative Government and Politics, English IGSCE, Chemistry IGSCE, and AS Math. For my senior year, I am planning to take AP English, AP Microeconomics, AP Chemistry, A Level Math(or AP Calculus, I’m not sure which to take), AP Computer Science, AP Biology, and maybe AP Physics. I heard from a lot of people (not exactly trustworthy sources) that the more APs you take, whether related to your major or not, help you a lot and boost your acceptance rate. I want to know if all these APs are necessary or if I should not do some. Also, would like to know if it would be better to take A Levels rather than APs. I should also mention that all the exams I am doing this year are self -study. I would really appreciate if someone could also suggest some books that would be helpful in studying for AP Macroeconomics, AP Comparative Government and Politics, and AP United States Government and Politics. Cheers!
The micro/macroeconomics as well as those other history courses’ books from Princeton Review has a pretty good review on amazon. You should check that out!
I have considered Princeton Review as an option but I heard it only has practice tests. I am self studying for this exam, because of that I need a book that explains all the things I need to know for the exam. Does the Princeton Review book have concise explanations? Cheers!
You heard wrong. Colleges want you to take the most demanding course load that you can handle and perform well in. Once you get past ~6-8 AP classes, the law of diminishing returns kicks in, and each add’l AP will add little to your application. If your school does not offer that many AP courses, no college will expect you to take the AP exam, particularly if you are taking A-levels or similar exams.
If you’re doing this solely for the purpose of boosting your admissions chances, you’re wasting your time - colleges are not impressed. If you’re doing it for the love of subject, then fine.
Macro: Princeton Review
USGov:: Crash Course
Comp Gov: Ethel Wood