I’m currently a sophomore taking honors classes, (no APs currently). Next year I will definitely be taking AP Chemistry and AP English 1. I have the option to take AP Art History, and the possibility of taking AP US History 2. (I’m currently taking Honors US 1, and would be a big jump. A lot of summer work and self studying.) What do you guys think? Should I stick to just AP Chem and English, or reach for AP Art History, or even AP US 2? I want to go to a pretty top school, (Duke, Vanderbilt, UC Berkeley). What do you guys think? Will 3 or 4 AP classes be too much?
Also, UCLA is in my top colleges as well, I know its not up to par with the other colleges I listed, but it’s still a dream school for me.
First off, try to ask your peers and see how many they’re taking. Colleges will look at how many you’re taking relative to the other applicants of your school.
Also, top tier schools like the ones you mentioned, academic-wise, want to see you take the most amount of AP classes possible and STILL succeed in them. If you’re school is offering 4, and you’re taking only 2, then the college will ask: “Why didn’t the students challenge themselves academically in high school?”.
But if you feel like you can’t handle 4 AP’s which is understandable because they’re hard classes, then take the ones that you feel like you can get an A in. Ask the other juniors and see how hard the AP US and AP Art classes are.
Also, if you want to go to a UC, they use a UC GPA to calculate your GPA and to reach the maximum you need 8 semesters worth of AP courses if you’re out of state, (which is 4 in your junior year since you didn’t take any Sophomore year) so its best to take the 4 AP’s if you’re aiming for UC’s as it maximizes your UC GPA which is an extremely important factor in admissions.
You will be fine for UGA.
One piece of advice: Two or three AP’s that you did GREAT in looks better then four or five that you did OKAY in. You’re taking on a lot of AP/IB/Honors Junior year, and just think of all the other stuff you’ll have too (SAT’s, ACT’s etc.)
Quite honestly, if you’re just starting off doing AP, do 2 or 3 just to get the gist of it. AP U.S. History is interesting and a subject that takes practice in the AP history courses to master as it is a lot to remember, so I wouldn’t try APUSH as a first-year AP student.
If you want to get into top-tier schools, do the three so you won’t take up too much in a year with so much going on with testing and all of the pressure of getting the highest grades you possibly can in your most important year of high school. You want to take rigorous courses while excelling in them.
I am currently a first-year AP student and let me just say taking an AP class is probably the best choice I’ve made. I’m in AP Human Geography and I enjoy it tremendously. The thing with AP classes is that they are challenging, but in a way that’s good, as it prepares you for college. The teachers treat you more adult-like, and they actually make the classes worth taking. Being an AP student, I’ve been introduced to new ways of thinking and learning and I definitely believe that they will help you out in the long run. My advice is to take what you think you can take. I plan on taking more AP classes next year and flood my schedule with them senior year. Colleges want to see that you can challenge yourself, and AP classes are a great way to do that. Do what you think you can handle, and if you think you can handle more then add more. I would say to start off with 2 and if your school allows it like ours, then add another AP class to your schedule. Being a fellow AP student, I hope hearing it from my perspective helped!
If I were you i would do all the AP you can
@FeedMeAP That wouldn’t be such a good idea if it’s your first year in it. It’s best to build upon gaining experience.
Just take as many AP classes as you can find besides the ones you know you’ll hate. I’m a junior with 5 AP classes and I find it perfectly manageable. Here’s the AP classes I have as a junior:
AP Language and composition
AP Physics 1
AP Calculus AB
AP Statistics
AP Government
It isn’t as hard as it looks
I agree that it might be better to ease into it. I’d personally add AP Art History if that’s something you’re interested in. I have a friend who is taking that class and she really likes it. APUSH is also a very interesting class if you’re willing to put in the extra work. I wouldn’t take all 4, though.
If you are in a CA high school, the UC schools give the GPA boost for a lot of honors classes in addition to AP. Losts less work for the same 1 point boost in most cases.