How many APs to take in high school to be competitive applicant at Grinnell?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Grinnell College
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Hello,

Any recently accepted or current students - can you tell me how many AP classes you took in high school? My daughter is planning her last two years of high school. She’s probably going to finish high school with 6-7 APs and I’m wondering if that is enough. She’s really involved in choir and journalism which each take up one elective spot in her schedule. She’s very interested in Grinnell.

Thanks!

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It’s really in the context of her current school. How many AP classes do kids usually take? What AP classes did she / will she take?

As a rising Junior, try to steer her away from focusing on any individual school and start thinking about what she might want to study and what type of school she is interested in. From there you’ll be able to develop a balanced lists of schools that are the right fit for her

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Thanks for that feedback! She’s my oldest, so this is my first time through the process. I want her to end up somewhere that’s the right fit for her and also affordable for us. Grinnell’s net price calculator result was much more affordable than I expected (and much more affordable than many other LACs.) She goes to a very competitive high school with tons of APs offered. We’re going to visit some smaller and larger schools next year during junior year. I just want to make sure that she’s set up for success, whichever direction she decides to go. Thanks!

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I got into Grinnell this year, and more than anything, your daughter has to show interest in the school! Attend a lot of online meetings, and DO THE OPTIONAL INTERVIEW. you have to sign up for the interview yourself in the fall and I can guarantee it makes a huge difference.

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Thank you!

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There is no magic number- it is in the context of the school and the student. Grinnell will want to see that she has taken a rigorous course load- but is not so blinded by APs that the time devoted to meaningful ECs is not recognized. Have her talk to her GC: the GC will be ticking a box as to how ‘rigorous’ her courseload is in the context of the school and will be able to note in the GC LoR things such ‘cm06jr took the most rigorous courseload that was possible around her commitments to x and y, areas where she has made a meaningful contribution to the school community’.

The whole point of an LAC is that it is holistic- not just a numbers game- and Grinnell takes that seriously!

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Thank you for this feedback! This is helpful!