Unlocking the Potential of APs: Which One to Take?

Hi folks, I'm considering taking a few AP courses next year and could use some advice. There are so many options and I’m unsure what would boost my application most. Could anyone share their experience or any advice for selecting AP courses?

Your choice of Advanced Placement (AP) courses can significantly contribute to your high school academic profile. Remember, AP classes signal to colleges that you're pursuing the most rigorous coursework available, which they generally find impressive.

You should primarily align your choice of AP classes with your academic interests and potential future major. For example, if you're inclined towards STEM, courses like AP Calculus, AP Physics, or AP Computer Science could provide the foundational knowledge needed in those fields. Alternatively, if you're more interested in humanities, AP courses like AP U.S. History or AP Literature could be more appropriate.

Try to choose AP courses that offer depth in a particular academic area – this connects with the idea of developing a "spike," or an area of expertise, instead of appearing "well-rounded." For example, if you're interested in environmental science as a career, you might consider taking AP Environmental Science, AP Biology, and AP Chemistry to show a cohesive, focused interest.

Consider your workload and capacity as well. While the courses should be challenging, they should be manageable – remember that your GPA is also an important factor in college admissions, and taking on too much could negatively impact your grades.

Lastly, remember that different colleges interpret AP scores differently. While an AP class might enhance your admissions profile, the score you get in the exam doesn't matter as much. It's more about the rigor of your coursework and what that says about your commitment to academic excellence.

Examples of successful applicants to top colleges often show they've taken around five AP classes during high school. That being said, make sure to balance your workload so you have time for extracurriculars too! Remember that quality is always more important than quantity.