<p>Of all of the AP classes that are out there (though not necessarily at every school), which are the most important/valuable to take for college admission? For example, taking AP Calculus A/B is likely more valuable to admissions than AP Spanish. I'm looking in the context of what most schools look for.... I know there are always circumstances that would make AP Spanish more important than Calc, and that different kids have different aptitutes and aspirations. But I'm talking "in general" here - most wide-sweeping - most commonly sought. Or look at it this way....if my S can only take two AP courses, which two would be the best to select for admissions purposes?</p>
<p>He should take the two he is most interested in.</p>
<p>^Ditto. Or, if he is interested in receiving credit, he might consider taking the two classes on whose corresponding tests he will most likely receive a 5.</p>
<p>I would disagree about Spanish Language not being as important as Calculus AB, even in a general sense. Doing well on the Spanish Language exam gives you credit or placement at most every college. Having a few years of a language (which can culminate in the AP exam in one’s senior year) is also recommended by some colleges.</p>
<p>Rather than worry about the use of AP tests in admissions (probably where they’re least effective), look at what AP tests will give credit at the particular colleges you’re looking at. Obviously the ones that give credit will be good ones to take.</p>
<p>Finally, the top ten most popular APs are the following:</p>
<p>Test Takers / Test
278379 US History
261699 English Literature and Composition
242990 English Language and Composition
177155 Calculus AB
151792 US Government
121778 Biology
111118 Psychology
092817 Statistics
083532 Spanish Language
081412 World History</p>
<p>If an AP can be considered valuable because a sizable number of students take it, than that can be one way of considering classes.</p>
<p>US History is up there.
Calculus
one of the Englishes</p>
<p>He should definitely just take what he’s interested in. Colleges are more interested in passion than classes taken just to look impressive.</p>
<p>Some colleges like to see AP USH and AP Eng Lang in the transcript
so these two may be quite important.</p>
<p>If applying to Engg/Math focused disciplines AP CALC BC may be very helpful.
AP PHY C MECH and E&M both seem to be very respected- going by the
credits and placement you can get on obtaining a 5.</p>
<p>If you are stressing your foreign lang accomplishments taking the AP
in the language (if available) may be important?</p>
<p>Top 5 schools do not seem to respect AP BIO that much. AP PHY B,
AP ENV SCI both do not seem to garner respect either.</p>
<p>I always think it’s a little bit sad when people live their lives to look good on paper. Your son should follow his interests. From there he can choose courses that will be both challenging AND enjoyable.</p>
<p>USH, Eng, and Calc form the golden trio imo</p>
<p>What about setting yourself apart from the “traditionally” recognized APs because your desired path? For instance, wouldn’t it make more sense for someone highly interested (and wishing to pursue a degree and career) in history to take multiple history exams to show their passion? Or someone very interested in languages to pursue multiple AP language exams if that is what they love?</p>
<p>i agree that all those top 10 are impotant. but its really is up to what you find interested or what you are passionate about. Dont torture yourself by taking AP Calc if you absolutely cannot stand math or something like that</p>
<p>The reason I posted this question is that I read an (old) article recently that discussed recruited athletes. The college’s coaches were advised by Admissions to look for specific AP classes and the potential recruit’s AP selections when they create their “tip” lists. The coach was specifically counseling recruits that AP Calculus was “required” for his transcript, and that AP Stats wouldn’t cut it. That was the example mentioned. So that made me think about this in general terms…not personally.</p>
<p>Take a look at the AP credit policies of the schools in which you are most interested. </p>
<p>AP English Language and/or Lit tends to give useful credit almost everywhere (especially when it gets you out of a boring and basic freshman writing class). AP languages can sometimes give as much as 16 units of credit at state schools for just a 3 (usually just 4 units of credit for 4 or above at private schools though). In general, state schools seem to take 3 and above, while private schools require 4 and above. Often a science AP only gives general elective credit or credit to non-majors. AP Econ had the most restrictive policies–some places required a 5 on both Macro and Micro to give credit for just one class.</p>
<p>At a private LAC, my 2 daughters got the “best value” for their English, Psych and Spanish credits.</p>
<p>We only offer one AP class at our school, APUSH, and just about everyone takes it. I don’t know anyone who is a senior and hasn’t taken it, because you’re supposed to take it as a junior. </p>
<p>We’re an IB school, though. You’re required to take IB English, IB Math, an IB science, a foreign language, a history, and then an elective. IB, however, focuses on created a well-rounded student and all that jazz, so I would honestly second the advice in saying that he should take the AP’s that he is most passionate about, because colleges do want to see passion.</p>