<p>I'm currently a junior and am making my senior year schedule. I was wondering how bad would it be if I didn't take an APs. The only AP classes I would be interested in I wouldn't be able to get into. I have yet to take an AP class but have taken 8 honors courses. The only AP classes I could get into would be science AP's, a subject I don't love and don't plan on majoring in. Without the AP I would be taking 2 honors classes and an AP from an online school. Instead of the science AP I would take anatomy, which is also a rigorous course. I was wondering if this would really hurt my chances of getting into schools like Penn State, Syracuse (A&S), Ohio State University, and Miami University. </p>
<p>Would it be better to take a hard AP in a subject I don't really love just to have an AP on my transcript or to take classes that interest me more? </p>
<p>Thank you! </p>
<p>Taking college level classes like APs are really important when colleges consider your application so in my opinion, as bad as it sounds, you should go ahead and take that AP even if you don’t like the subject. But that is just my opinion!</p>
<p>At that point, if you are in such a situation you’ll only have one AP, it’s not worth it to take it in a subject you don’t like since it wouldn’t make a big difference (6-8APs would make a difference but you’re not in that situation). In addition, you should only take AP’s in classes you’re sure you can get a B in (ask your teacher but if you don’t like the subject, with the increased rigor, you may jeopardize your GPA for nothing).
Penn State looks at GPA and SAT score, with GPA being 2/3, and they look favorably at Honors classes, so you don’t have anything to lose at this point. Same thing at Pitt. Ohio State and MiamiOH = depends if you’re in-state or out of state. OOS would be very costly and you’d be at a disadvantage for merit aid, but once again, it’s too late for AP’s, one won’t make a difference.
And Penn State OOS is super expensive with no financial aid so probably wouldn’t be doable.
Run the Net Price calculators before you get excited about any college, bring the results to your parents, and have the “money talk”. :)</p>
<p>Now it’s a little late, you should have taken AP classes earlier, if not because your interested in the classes, then because you want to show colleges that you’re interested in taking rigorous class, take that one AP class or don’t, it won’t make much of a difference, but at least you can get some college credit. If you feel like you can do well in an AP science then your should take that opportunity. It may hurt you a little that you took no AP classes, but at least you took a lot of honors classes. I’m sure you’ll still get into a college. Focus more on extracurricular activities and SAT/ACT because those are important too.</p>