So… I’m going into my senior year in a couple weeks. I took AP English Language as a junior last year and it was a lot of work. Not extremely hard or challenging, but most of my daily homework was for that class and I am not sure I want to experience that amount of workload again next year…
I have never gotten a B, shooting for valedictorian
GPA is 4.4
My top college choices are UCLA, USC, UCSD.
ACT 33
My requested schedule for this upcoming year as of now:
AP English Literature
AP Government
AP Chemistry
AP Calculus BC
AP Economics (Macro)
Student Government
I’m wondering if taking regular English for my last year would affect my admission chances, since I’m already taking so many other AP classes. I’m currently taking AP Psychology over the summer, and debating whether to add AP Physics to my schedule next year; if you have any input on that, that would be great. Thank you in advance.
No 4 vs. 5 AP’s will not swing the needle at all. Also, for many private colleges, credit is given for AP Lang or AP Lit, but not both. If you don’t want to take it, don’t take it.
There is no need for such overkill in APs. How is it beneficial to do AP psych over the summer when tests won’t be unitl next May and you can’t include any results on your app? Be wary of appearing to be an academic drone. Taking AP chem AND physics is wayyyyy too excessive and you will likely be a stressed out and exhausted mess. Four APs is plenty, but fwiw, my D had no trouble acing the AP lit exam. If you don’t really care for lit, try just taking honors English, instead of ap lit, if that is an option.
I think four APs is really the ideal for senior year, because college applications are like an additional class in your schedule. If you don’t really want to take AP Lit, don’t take it- but you might want to ask your guidance counselor if they will still check “most rigorous” schedule for you.
S1 was accepted into a STEM major at all the top UCs two years ago with neither AP Lang nor AP Lit. His strengths were unweighted GPA, test scores, and a self-taught interest outside of school.
Definitely don’t let it go above 4 APs. Drop any that don’t fit in with what you’re really interested in. It sounds to me like you can definitely drop AP Lit. Good luck!