What's the difference between Honors and AP classes in terms of college admissions?

Hey guys, I'm a junior right now and trying to plan out my schedule for senior year. I've heard different things about Honors and AP classes, but I'm still not sure – do colleges prefer one over the other? How does taking Honors vs. AP classes affect my college application? Any advice is appreciated!

Hello there! It's great that you're thinking ahead about your senior year schedule. In the realm of college admissions, Advanced Placement (AP) classes are generally considered more rigorous than Honors classes, primarily because they're standardized at a national level and culminate in AP exams that can potentially earn you college credit. Colleges tend to prefer AP classes because they demonstrate a student's ability to handle college-level coursework.

That said, Honors classes are also viewed positively, particularly if AP classes are not available in a specific subject at your school. Honors classes still show an elevated level of challenge beyond standard classes and suggest that you're pushing yourself academically, which speaks well of your intellectual passion and readiness to thrive in a more difficult academic environment. Additionally, at some schools, the AP curriculum isn't used at all, so Honors classes are the highest level offered, in which case they are evaluated in the same way an AP course would be at a school that does use the AP curriculum.

If you're not feeling up to an all-AP course load (which is completely normal!), but still want to demonstrate an overall strong, committed academic profile, it can be a good idea to take AP classes in the academic subjects you're most interested in, and/or those that align best with your intended major, and Honors courses in other areas that are less directly connected to your academic goals for college.

In sum, AP classes usually have a slight edge in terms of college admissions because of their standardized curriculum and the opportunity for college credit. However, the most important thing is that you're challenging yourself appropriate to your academic level, school offerings, and interests. If you're aiming for the most selective schools, an AP-heavy schedule can be an advantage, but don't underestimate the value of Honors classes, especially at schools with less competitive admissions.

I hope this helps clear up your confusion, and remember that you can always reach out to your teachers if you're wondering which level would be right for you, and consult with your guidance counselor if you're curious about how AP vs. Honors would affect your college admissions prospects!