<p>Hi- I'm currently a sophomore and struggling to decide next year's schedule. How many APs should I take if I want to make it to an Ivy or a top college?
Currently I'm thinking of taking 5...</p>
<p>I’m taking 5, but the number isn’t the best indicator of course rigor. The kinds of APs you’re taking and the difficulty of your school’s AP classes are probably more significant. For example, consider the following AP loads:</p>
<p>AP Psychology
AP Environmental Science
AP Human Geography
AP Statistics
AP Comparative Government</p>
<p>vs.</p>
<p>AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry
AP Literature
AP Latin
AP US History</p>
<p>Virtually all of the time, the second schedule is more rigorous. If you think you can handle such a schedule (without losing all your time for ECs, obliterating your social life, dying, etc.), then go ahead and take it. It will be not only impressive to colleges but also a good educational experience. If instead you’d rather take one or two fewer hard APs and substitute them with honors or easier AP classes, then that’s your prerogative. But only you know your abilities.</p>
<p>It is important to take rigorous courses but you really need to do what’s best for you. If you think you can handle 5 AP’s then go for it. If not, there’s no shame in that.</p>