What are APS (not the swearing)

So, not to sound clueless, but I keep hearing about APS in school and on this sub. I'm just wondering, what are APS in the sense of academics and how do they come into play when we talk about college applications? Thanks!

Sure, happy to clarify that for you! APs typically refers to Advanced Placement programs or courses, which are college-level classes that you can take while you're still in high school. They're offered in a range of subjects, like Calculus, Biology, History, and Literature, among others.

Taking AP courses can be significant for college applications in a few different ways. First, they can help demonstrate academic rigor, showing colleges that you're able to handle more challenging coursework. Second, doing well in these classes (shown by your grades in them) and succeeding on the AP exams (shown by your AP exam scores) could potentially earn you college credits at some institutions, thereby letting you skip certain introductory courses in college.

Having said that, please know that although AP exam scores can sometimes help you get college credit, they generally don't play a substantial role in college admissions decisions. It's largely your grades in the AP courses that matter since they indicate your academic capability and effort.

Finally, by taking AP courses related to your intended college major or field of interest, you can evidently show your commitment towards that subject area. If you're still exploring different fields of interest, taking AP courses in a variety of subjects could help you identify your academic strengths and preferences. So if you have the opportunity to do so (and think you can handle the challenge), it might be a good idea to include some AP classes in your schedule.