How do AP classes impact college admissions?

I'm stressing a little about my schedule for next year. Do colleges care about AP classes that much? Will taking a bunch of APs improve my chances of getting into a top college, or should I focus on maintaining a higher GPA with regular classes? What’s the real benefit here?

Absolutely, colleges do care about AP classes, but it's also about balance. Schools want to see that you're challenging yourself to the best of your abilities. AP classes demonstrate to colleges that you're able to handle college-level coursework -- and that's beneficial. However, if taking too many AP classes will overwhelm you and potentially lower your GPA, that's an important consideration. A lower GPA in higher-level courses is not the aim; you want to maintain strong performance even in challenging classes. With that in mind, aim for a schedule that's challenging but manageable. For example, if you're great at math and science, it might make sense to take AP Calculus or AP Biology, but if history isn't your strong suit, regular U.S. History might be a better choice. It's about showcasing your strengths while still pushing yourself. Think about it as a chance to explore your academic interests at a deeper level while also building the skills you'll need for college studies.