<p>Alright my friend and I have our differences. I want to know the real truth. Which is better? Taking all AP Classes and getting all B's or taking all REGULAR (Non-AP) Classes and getting straight A's. They have the same UC GPA, so which would the UC universities admission office prefer?</p>
<p>All APs without a doubt.</p>
<p>can you please explain why?</p>
<p>If you take AP classes and get B's, the college will see that you are trying harder and want to push yourself. They know that you could get a better grade in an easier class. What they want to see is that you are trying to take the hardest classes you can, because it will show them that you are more serious about your education. Take AP's!</p>
<p>anyone second that? or disagree?</p>
<p>There are little boxes on most apps, and your counselor must choose one. They ask him to rank your course load in comparison to the hardest available at the school. Top schools won't even consider someone who didn't take the hardest course load available. Even mediocre schools will judge you with a different eye if you've taken the "no frills" route.</p>
<p>All APs are the best way to present yourself at college admissions. It doesn't matter that the quality of AP instruction varies from school to school or class to class, you must buy the test prep book and teach yourself "gap"areas, which is really a way to present college study skills.
Choosing to skip them is to choose to count yourself out for highly selective schools. Many highly selective schools however consider both 4s and 5s acceptable outcomes on AP exams. Guidance counselors have to report that you opted for the easier path, but they can also help put the reason you did not take an AP in perspective for adcoms...explaining your interest in the arts, for example or your having to choose between APs with various local schedule conflicts and limitations. Another way to show you are highly motivated if you do not have adequate AP time or options is to voluntarily take subject SATIIs and to make a high score. This shows initiative and readiness for college level coursework. Keep in mind that the material on an SATII is material that is necessary to succeed at upper level courses, so there is a good reason to show mastery.</p>
<p>Well this is what I heard from the MIT admissions officer last summer. He replied to your question get As in APs. Doesn't really help, but I think that you should take APs that you are confident with. Then you'll get As. Also if you're particularly weak in a certain class I don't think you should take AP. Take APs in what you like, then you'll get an A. But I personally think that B in AP is better than A in regular. Regular is like you can get an A by sleeping during class everyday.</p>