I was only able to take 8 AP’s & 1 Dual-Enrollment course in my high school year because Iattend a separate magnet school (they offer research classes in sophomore, junior, senior year). I was wondering if taking only 8 AP’s & 1 Dual-E would hurt my chances of admissions for let’s say Ivies? Oh additional info: I have received all A in those subjects (well the 4 AP’s I am taking this year is so far A’s the year didn’t end yet!)
The AP’s I’ve taken are:
Sophomore: AP World H
Junior: AP Chemistry, AP Lang, AP BC Calc
Senior: AP Lit, AP Physics-C, AP Biology, AP French, Multivariable Calc (DE)
No, I think Ivies expect you to take “rigorous courses” and 8 AP are enough “rigorous”.
Thank you for your reply! 
There is no right number of APs or other advanced classes. If you are at a school where everyone takes 14 APs, 8 might not be considered enough. But for the vast majority of students 8 APs, and a math course beyond Calculus is plenty to be considered rigorous enough.
I agree with mathmom 100%.
As the saying goes “8 is enough”
Eight is quite a few (be proud of yourself!), but for top schools, the “magic number” all depends on the environment in which you studied. I’ve taken 17 AP classes (some semester and some year-long) and an additional 11 Honors classes, but my school offers a ton, so I’m expected to. I think you’re alright if your situation matches what you’ve described.
That is too much, almost 4 APs per year; regardless your “school offers a ton”
Hmm, I respectfully disagree. There are a few students have taken as many AP/IB classes where I live. Granted, only about 5 (including me, our salutatorian, and our valedictorian) have good scores in all those classes, but yeah. And 5s on 9 of the 10 tests I’ve taken so far (6 more to come at the end of this year) suggest that I gathered what I needed without overwhelming myself.
It’s the most rigorous courseload for that school that matters to Adcoms. If the top students at a given school take x number of AP/IB classes, the GC form/recommendation is going to explain that. My son’s school doesn’t permit freshman or sophomores to take AP classes (although most of the honors US history kids are encouraged to take the APUSH exam) and limits them to 3 junior year. Our top students seldom end up with more than 7 AP classes and it’s never been an issue with selective schools because they know that the kids are not slacking off. Just confirm with your GC that the information sent to colleges makes clear that you took as difficult a curriculum as possible. There is definitely no magic number.