How good do AP classes look to colleges?

Advanced Placement classes show admissions officers that you're ready for college-level work. Admissions counselors consistently tell us that good grades and academic rigor are the most important factors when schools evaluate applications. Even over standardized test scores!

Do AP classes look good on college applications?

Students looking to earn admission to highly selective colleges should take multiple AP classes to bolster their applications and demonstrate they can handle challenging coursework. Some college admissions experts recommend taking as many as 7-12 AP courses before applying to the most elite universities.

Do colleges look if you take AP classes?

So, the more rigorous your curriculum, the stronger that part of your application is. If your school offers AP courses as the most challenging option in a subject, it will look good to admissions for you to take AP courses.

How many AP classes look good for college?

To be competitive at some of the most highly selective colleges in the country, 8-12 AP courses may be the sweet spot amount, assuming the student can handle that level of rigor.

Do AP classes look good on transcript?

And having AP classes on their transcript will show universities that your student has experience with the academic rigor of college classes, which looks good on their college applications.

Ranking All 38 AP Classes by Difficulty (Tier List)

Is 6 APs too much?

College counselors recommend that students strive to take 5-8 AP classes throughout their high school career, especially if they are interested in attending a highly-selective institution such as an Ivy League college. That said, you shouldn't feel pressured to take more AP classes than you can comfortably manage.

Is 2 AP classes enough junior year?

The number of AP classes you take should align with your personal academic strengths and interests. Taking two AP courses in your junior year could certainly be viewed as a rigorous courseload, especially if the APs are in subjects that you are passionate about and plan to dedicate considerable effort.

Is 4 APs too much junior year?

Junior Year

Depending on what kind of school you want to go to, you should be taking between 3 and 5 AP® classes this year. You will need to manage your time well, however, as you also need to study for the SAT® or ACT® during this time.

Is 5 AP classes too much junior year?

Take as many as you can handle without spreading yourself thin, and make sure you will have time to study for the ACT or SAT this year. An Ivy League hopeful might take 3 to 5 AP classes, while if you're aiming for less-selective schools, 2 to 4 would be enough.

Is 5 AP classes too much senior year?

You can definitely take 5 APs, but just make sure to stay on top of your work and spend a good amount of time studying to make sure you know the material.

What is the easiest AP class?

What are the downsides of AP classes?

One of the most significant drawbacks of AP courses is that they can be extremely challenging and time-consuming. AP courses require significant study and preparation, and students may find themselves overwhelmed or burnt out. In addition, not all colleges and universities accept AP credits.

Is 7 AP classes enough?

For students aiming for the Ivy League and Top 20 schools in the United States, a good target is to take (and pass) 10-14 AP classes throughout your high school career — or 3-4 each year.

What is the hardest AP class?

What Is the Hardest AP Class? Looking at the numbers, the hardest AP test is Physics 1. In May 2022, just 43.3% of test-takers passed, and only 7.9% received a perfect score. Other hard AP exams include US History, Macroeconomics, Chemistry, and Calculus AB.

Is dual credit more impressive than AP?

Leah says, “Both AP courses and dual credit courses, if done as prescribed, are extremely beneficial: students are exposed to more rigor, a faster pace, more depth, college content, and a different way to study.” She adds that “dual credit is an incredible opportunity for any student meeting college benchmarks,” but “ ...

Is it OK to take no AP classes junior year?

AP Classes are great, but not really necessary. If you take the regular, non-remedial college prep classes you should be fine. Just taking whatever you're comfortable with is always the best option. If you feel like AP classes are a good choice for you, then take them.

Is 8 AP classes enough for Ivy League?

Most students who attend extremely selective schools have taken anywhere from 7 to 12 AP courses in high school, although there are exceptions to this rule. If a high school offers only a limited number of AP courses or none at all, colleges will not fault students for taking fewer of these classes.

Should I take 2 or 3 AP classes junior year?

Taking two AP classes in your junior year is not necessarily "too little." The number of AP classes you take should be based on your individual strengths, interests, and workload. It's important to consider your ability to manage the coursework, extracurricular activities, and any other responsibilities you may have.

Is it OK to take no APs sophomore year?

Many first-year students avoid jumping into AP classes as they get used to high school. In fact, some schools don't even offer AP classes to ninth graders. Instead, students typically start by taking 1-3 AP classes during their sophomore year, beginning with some of the less demanding courses.

What AP classes are most impressive to colleges?

How many AP classes should I take for Harvard?

Be cautious of overloading your schedule: Harvard would rather see a high GPA with 4 AP courses each year than a low GPA and a daunting 8 AP courses. Consider your AP, honors, and regular options carefully each semester based upon your own self-knowledge, schedule flexibility, and course offerings.

Is 3 AP classes too much sophomore year?

I have seen as many as 7 but those students are usually in the top 10 of a 200 student class. As a sophomore I would advise no more than 3 and probably only 1 or 2. It really depends on the kind of student you are and how many extracurricular activities you are in.

What percent of kids take AP classes?

Now, with AP courses in dozens of subjects, nearly 23,000 high schools offer at least one AP course, with about 35% of recent high school graduates taking at least one AP course.

Is 12 AP classes too much?

Aim for four to eight AP exams in your junior and senior years. For competitive Ivy League schools, admission officers also want to see AP courses for core subject areas and additional courses. If possible, aim to pass about seven to 12 AP exams if applying to these highly selective schools.