How much do APs/ rigorous course load matter?

<p>I've noticed that most top colleges look for a rigorous high school curriculum. Would having only taken 1 AP and 1 Honors class junior year severely affect admissions?</p>

<p>it depends on how many ap classes/honors classes you have available and what schools you’re applying to.
but how much does it matter? it’s probably one of, if not the, most important factor in college admissions. if you go on any schools common data set, rigor of course load is ALWAYS in the “most important” category. </p>

<p>Depends on what colleges you’re applying to. Ivy schools as well as most top 50 schools rank course rig. as very important on their data set. Taking only one AP Junior year is definitely going to hurt you, but it isn’t the end of the world. If you take a fair amount your senior year they won’t overlook your junior year but at least they know you’re trying to make up for it. Good luck!</p>

<p>It would seriously impact your chances at top colleges if you only took a small fraction of the Honors and AP classes your HS offers. If they only offer a couple, and you’ve maxed out their offerings, then you’d be fine.</p>

<p>Well there are quite a few AP’s available at my school, but I recently moved here. I would have loved to take more, but since I moved in May, everyone had already signed up for their classes, and I was too late. The only reason I was able to take one(AP Lang) was because I had the same teacher for a month soph. year and she said she knew I was capable.</p>

<p>I don’t want to come up with excuses or anything, but I attended several schools(5+) my 1st 2 years, making it impossible to get the classes that I wanted. But senior year I’m signed up for 5 APs, but it probably won’t matter since senior year grades aren’t looked at until after one is accepted, if I understand that correctly.</p>

<p>Senior classes and grades do matter. Some colleges will have you send your first semester grades, but almost all will look at them from one time to another to make sure they don’t have to take back their admission. Also colleges do look at your course rigor for you senior year to make sure that you aren’t slacking off for your last year.</p>

<p>

I like that you don’t want to blame your circumstances for your predicament, but there’s no question that making multiple school moves during HS is a serious obstacle. If you’ve done well in the classes you’ve taken, continue to do well senior year, and if your HS counselor’s recommendation will address your circumstances, then I expect colleges will view your schedule in context.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you.</p>

<p>Lots of people drop APs over the summer or early into the semester as they become concerned about taking too many, it taking too much time, or it threatening their treasured class rank.It’s possibly spots may open up. If you wanted to be proactive about it, you could go to the school, explain that you weren’t able to sign up for classes because you’re a new student, and ask if there’s a waiting list or if you can sign up for any open spots that may arise. Just be really nice about it and you might find a counselor or scheduling person willing to help you - things are often not as static as they appear and being nice gets you put at the top of the list. If you need teacher permission, go talk to the teacher and persuade them you deserve to be in their class. Again, be nice.</p>

<p>@MrMom62‌ Trust me, I tried. As soon as school was about to begin I talked to my counselor but he said that APUSH and Honors Chem were full, and AP Bio didn’t fit into my schedule. (Those are the only advanced classes offered junior year). He said he was already going to get in trouble for putting me in Honors Precalc and AP English and unfortunately couldn’t do any more.</p>

<p>I realize that schools evaluate students in context of their surroundings, but the fact that course rigor is considered “Most Important” by most colleges makes me anxious. </p>

<p>Bump 10 char</p>

<p>Ask your GC to mention it in his/her rec letter.</p>

<p>It depends on the other people applying to the same college as you. If they’ve taken more APs or Honors than you, they’ll probably be prioritized unless they have worse grades. Colleges want to see that you’ve challenged yourself, so if you have time, you should take at least 4 or 5 more Honors or AP classes.</p>

<p>Senior year grades are looked at up until you send in your college applications with your current senior grades on your transcript, if I understand correctly.</p>

<p>@artmuse12344,</p>

<p>(1) You do what you can. There is no point to look back especially if it’s out of your control.</p>

<p>(2) Ask your GC to note your circumstances.</p>

<p>(3) Senior rigor/grade still matter. The schools will most likely wait till Feb to get your first semester transcript.</p>

<p>(4) Good luck.</p>