How many AP's/should I change my schedule?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
1

I’m a rising senior and will be applying EA to UNC. SAT 1500 (750 and 750) and ACT 33 (36 on reading and 35 on English but science and math brought my average down to a 33 plus). UW 3.9 and W 4.5. Have taken all honors courses throughout high school.

My school only allows 1 AP sophomore year but I did not take it as the subject didn’t interest me.

I took 3 AP and 4 honors junior year.

I am scheduled to take 3 AP and 4 honors senior year.

I could take 4 AP and 3 honors but I really want to take anatomy honors vs. a 4th AP.

I’ve heard UNC likes greater than 7 or 8 AP total.

Should I change my schedule?

2

Go with the anatomy honors; if it’s something that you want to do, then now is the time to do it. There’s no reason to be cold-blooded with your curriculum at this point; and don’t try to game the system by taking the classes that you think UNC-CH wants to see on your transcript.

Will you be an in-state or OOS applicant? (If in-state, I think that you are in a very favorable position for admission; if OOS, your GPA and test scores already make you competitive.)

Also, don’t try to overthink things. Your life doesn’t begin or end with the admissions decision from UNC-CH.

3

Recently (Sometime in past couple of years), UNC did a study looking at the correlation between the number of APs and sucess at UNC. They found that any number above five did not make a difference in correlation.

In other words, take the honors course that you will enjoy and do better in. Senior year is stressfull enough as it is.

Orginal article: https://gazette.unc.edu/2013/01/08/study-finds-that-more-ap-classes-may-not-be-better/

4

Thanks for the replies and advice. Great, reassuring article too. You both have given me confidence to stick with the original plan. FWIW I am in-state (but from a very popular county). Trying not to overthink things!

5

Are you from Mecklenburg or Wake? What’s your class rank? Rank is important to UNC. I’ll be anxiously following your journey as I have a D20 who will be applying.

6

It also depends on what APs you took Jr and Sr year.
But all in all, taking A&P shouldn’t be a problem.

7

@chb088 yes I am from one of those two but at a school that doesn’t rank. They said its like getting picked from a pool within a pool. Unofficially I think I’d be in the top 10 percent.

8

Thank you

9

It also depends on what APs you took Jr and Sr year.
But all in all, taking A&P shouldn’t be a problem.

10

@noname87 I just attended an UNC information sessions/tour. The admissions counselor specifically pointed out the study you referenced regarding number of AP!

11

Just updating this to say I went with your advice and took Anatomy and Physiology instead of a 4th AP. Accepted EA! Thanks for your advice!