When high school students are signing up for the next year’s classes, one question comes up over and over again: How many AP classes should I take?
Students pursue AP courses for a number of reasons. Maybe you aren’t feeling challenged by standard course material. Maybe you hope to earn college credit by scoring well on AP exams. Maybe you are applying to selective colleges and want to highlight a rigorous curriculum on your transcript. Maybe it’s all three!
These are all good reasons to pursue advanced coursework, but it doesn’t answer the question of how many AP classes students should take. Do colleges expect a certain number? Is the number of AP courses more important the the grades you earn in them? Should you take all AP classes?
As is the case with many questions about college planning, the answer is “it depends!” There is no “magic number” of AP classes because every student’s current circumstances and future goals are unique to them.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what you should consider when determining the best number of AP courses for you.
Note: Even though we’re talking about AP classes in this blog post, you can apply the same logic to Honors, IB, or Dual Enrollment classes depending on what your high school offers.
1. How Many AP Courses Does Your School Offer?
The first step when deciding how many AP classes you should take is to look at what your school offers. Not all high schools have the same AP courses available, so it's important to understand your options.
Some schools offer AP options in a wide range of subjects while others may have more limited options. And some high schools may not offer less popular AP classes every year which requires some planning ahead if you want to take that course. What is available to you?
Remember that your college application is reviewed in the context of your high school. That means admissions officers will know what is available at your school and can see the path you pursued. If you have a friend attending another high school with different curriculum options, don’t worry if their schedule looks different from yours.
Figure out what your options are and then map out a plan that aligns with your academic and college planning goals.
2. Can You Keep Your Grades Up?
Once you have a clear understanding of the AP courses available at your school, the next step is to determine your academic goals.
Do you want to challenge yourself or dive deeper into your favorite subjects? Or are you hoping to demonstrate college readiness across the board to a selective college?
Answering these questions can help you decide if you want to take 1 or 2 AP courses in specific areas or if you want to add more to your schedule.
But remember, AP classes are tough! They are college-level courses that require more time, effort, and homework than standard-level classes. Ask yourself:
Can I realistically earn an A or B in all of these classes?
Can I maintain (or exceed) this level of rigor for the rest of high school?
Can I keep up in these classes while maintaining a healthy balance outside of school? (ie: Having enough time for extracurriculars, free time, and enough sleep)
Challenging yourself is a good thing! But don’t take on so much that your grades suffer or you feel like you’re burning out while still in high school.
3. What Do the Colleges on Your List Consider Competitive?
The number of AP courses you should aim to take also depends on the colleges you are considering. More selective colleges often expect competitive applicants to take a challenging course load, which includes AP classes if they are available at your high school.
However, the definition of "competitive" varies from college to college. One college might view three to five AP courses as rigorous, while another might expect significantly more.
Some colleges are transparent with this information, like the University of Georgia which posts regular admissions statistics on their blog (the class of 2023 averaged 8-13 AP courses!). Others may include information about advanced courses in a profile of admitted freshmen or elsewhere on the admissions website. Research the expectations of your target colleges early so you can plan your high school schedule accordingly.
4. What Do You Want to Major In?
Your intended major might also influence the number of AP courses you decide to take. If you're leaning towards a particular field of study, taking AP courses related to that discipline can strengthen your college application and prepare you for future coursework. For instance, if you're interested in engineering, taking AP Calculus and AP Physics can be beneficial. Or if you’re interested in political science, AP courses in areas like history, government, or economics may be of more interest.
Tailoring your AP courses to your college major and career goals not only demonstrates your interest in your chosen field but also gives you a solid foundation for the classes you’ll be taking in college.
In the end, the question of how many AP classes to take is multifaceted and unique to every student. There is no “magic number” that will guarantee your success. Instead, your high school academic plan hinges on what is available at your school, your personal academic strengths and interests, the expectations of prospective colleges, and even your future major.
Finding a balance between challenging yourself and maintaining a manageable workload is key. Remember, the goal is not just to impress college admissions officers but also to prepare yourself for the rigor of college academics. By thoughtfully considering these factors, you can make informed decisions that align with your goals!
