<p>A lot of what I know is from A is for Admissions, a book written by a former admissions officer at Dartmouth.</p>
<p>How rigorous classes are is important. If you're at the top of your class, and have taken a plethora of AP's, it looks better than if you're at the top and have taken few or none. Also, according to the admissions officer, Ivy league adcoms love people who have a passion for learning.</p>
<p>I'm not thinking of my situation. I have no EC's so I won't get into an Ivy League. But for those who do aspire to such schools, it would be in their best interest to challenge themselves and take AP's. For me, I'm taking APUSH next year to increase my knowledge of politics, AP Physics & AP Calc BC b/c I'm interested, and AP Bio because I need Bio credits. </p>
<p>Colleges know what HS's don't have AP's. They take that into consideration. Obviously if one can only take 3 AP's at a certain HS, and a certain student takes them, the colleges will see and be impressed.</p>
<p>FWIW, the valedictorian I was talking about was very social, was a science buff, and had a life. I don't know him personally, so I don't know if he was showing off or not.</p>
<p>As for the members on this site who self-study to show off, so be them. Does it help? I'm sure it does show a passion for learning which certainly does not hurt.</p>