How vital are AP classes for college admissions compared to honors?

Hello peeps, I'm trying to map out my senior year classes and I'm torn between stacking up on APs or honors. Do colleges prefer AP over honors? I've got a decent mix of both but I'm aiming for some selective schools and wondering if APs would give me a legit edge? Thoughts?

Hello! It's great that you're taking a strategic approach to your senior year schedule. To put it simply, AP classes are generally seen as more challenging than honors courses and are standardized across schools, while honors classes can vary in rigor. Selective colleges tend to look favorably on students who challenge themselves, and AP courses—with their college-level curricula—are a recognizable way to show that you're pushing your academic boundaries.

However, it's important to balance your workload. If you load up on APs and your grades suffer as a result, that could be counterproductive. It's better to have a slightly less intense schedule with strong grades than to be overwhelmed and underperform. Also, consider the subjects of the AP courses you're thinking about—pursuing APs in areas that interest you or align with your intended college major can help you build a more focused academic profile. In the end, a mix of both, taken in subjects you're passionate about and can handle well, can demonstrate both rigorous coursework and academic success to selective schools.