I took the maximum number of AP courses that my high school allowed me to take for freshman and sophomore years which was unfortunately only one per year. I took AP World History freshman year and AP Psychology sophomore year.
Next year I am taking AP English Language, and AP US History.
For senior year I was planning to take AP English Literature, AP French, AP Environmental Science, and AP Government.
Does taking only two AP courses during my junior year really cripple me as a college applicant? I didn’t really give it much thought when I planned it out this way but now I am really worried. It’s too late to change anything now, so I was just wondering about this. I thought since I would be taking eight total AP courses by the end of my high school career that I was fine, but realizing that all of my friends are taking 3-5 AP’s during junior year, I am wondering if I made a huge mistake and should self-study another AP or something.
I have seen students do very well with no AP classes at all. Take classes that you are comfortable taking. Take AP classes in subjects that you like and that you are good at. Find universities that are a good fit to what you have done.
Don’t worry about what your friends are doing. There are enough very good universities for you and them to all find a good fit.
It really depends on the schools you are applying to and the major you intend to do. If you were a STEM major applying to a T20, the APs you are planning on taking might seem off. However I suspect that you aren’t going for a STEM major.
As reply #2 has said, it depends on where you’re aiming to go. 2 is alright, but if they’re offered to you, 3 or 4 junior year makes you more competitive as an applicant. A science AP (by science I mean one of Bio, Chem, or Physics) is almost necessary for an ivy if taking one is an option for you. If T20s and ivies aren’t your goal, then you should be fine. And never take more than you can handle. Best of luck!
@ProfessorPlum168@zbrown01 I’m not planning to major in STEM but rather English. However if I’m planning to aim for selective colleges (not Ivy League but maybe the next tier) is it necessary for me to take AP science classes like AP Chem, bio, or physics? The trouble is I suck at science.
Eight APs by graduation is enough for any college, even top ones. I would not shy away from getting biology, physics, and chemistry on your transcript, but they don’t have to be done at the AP level if you aren’t comfortable with science. Bring up that GPA a bit, and spend some time this summer prepping for the SAT or ACT. Good luck to you!
“Selective” is an incomplete term. The toughest colleges are “most competitive” for an admit. That second rung of colleges is “very competitive.” You need to be looking into what they expect, look for (elements other than stats), and how your own stats compare to their admits- or more commonly, their matriculants.
The unweighted gpa will reflect your strengths or not. If 3.98/5 is unweighted, it’s low for very competitive colleges. If any of the courses less than an A grade are related to your possible major, that’s an issue, too.
Start with the colleges’ own websites, learn more about the courses they expect. USNews is not the final say, but works for comparative purposes.Using Colby (18) as an example: 3 years of math, 2 years of lab science, etc. APES is not a lab science. You can count on your competition having 3-4 in math and in science, cores, at least. Yes, even humanities applicants.
Kenyon (30): 4 years of lab sci, math, social studies (cores, not electives.)
It’s not just about only two junior year AP. It can be that you chose psych one year, and your senior courses will only have half year grades when you apply.
Try to learn more, so you can self assess the right matches. Not just stats and AP, but the flavor of the school and the sorts of traits they look for.
“The College Board needs to say a similar thing about taking A.P. courses. We have data that taking up to five A.P. courses over the course of high school helps students complete college on time. But there is no evidence that excessively cramming your schedule with A.P. classes advances you. Let us say to students, ‘If you would like to take more than 5 A.P. courses because you love the class, do so, but not to get into college.’