AP Classes For College Prep | National Society of High School Scholars (2024)

AP Classes For College Prep

AP classes are a great boost to your college transcripts, even if you don’t follow through with the examination. There are 38 AP classes and exams available, although not all of them are offered by all high schools. Choosing which AP classes to take is an important decision that can impact the college admissions process and whether or not you get into your top school.

Here are the best AP classes for college applications.

AP classes for core subjects

The best AP classes for college admissions are those that show your mastery in a key subject. College admissions officers prefer to see at least one AP class as evidence of college readiness. Choosing a subject related to your declared major will increase your chances of admission.

Common core subjects for AP classes include:

  • AP Biology
  • AP Calculus A/B and B/C
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP English Literature and Composition or AP English Language and Composition
  • AP US History
  • AP World History: Modern

It is better to have one solid AP class on your transcripts than to have several AP classes with mediocre results. If you are only going to have one AP class in your high school career, make it count by choosing one of these core subjects.

AP classes for college prep

College admissions officers want to see AP classes that prepare you for higher education. In addition to core subjects, these AP classes include AP Research, AP Seminar, and AP Statistics. These AP classes provide high school students with the research, analysis, and presentation required for college-level coursework.

AP classes relating to your major

The best AP classes to take for college are those that relate to your area of study in some way. Some of the most common major- or career-related AP classes include:

  • AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science
  • AP Environmental Science and AP Human Geography
  • AP Government and Politics, both Comparative and US
  • AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics
  • AP Physics 1 & 2, Algebra-based
  • AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism and AP Mechanics

Business and public policy students should also consider taking AP European History and foreign languages like AP Chinese, AP French, AP German, and AP Italian.

Take AP classes for college credit

College credit is possible for most of the AP classes mentioned thus far. However, three AP classes in particular can result in college credit for general education requirements. AP Psychology is one AP class that typically results in college credit, and it fulfills the humanities requirement demanded by most colleges for any degree program.

AP Spanish Language and Culture is also a helpful course. Spanish itself is a very helpful AP course for life in general because roughly 13% of the population speaks Spanish as their primary language, and that percentage increases every year.

Take AP classes recommended by your mentors

High school students should take advantage of all resources and support available, including mentorships. Academic mentors such as teachers, faculty, and administrators are the most common. Go to the teacher or academic counselor you trust most if you need help choosing AP classes for college admissions.

NSHSS leadership programs also offer mentorship opportunities. The NSHSS Collegiate Council is the most important of these for determining what is needed for college admissions. NSHSS members receive this and other support to choose the best AP courses to take for college and other important college preparation resources.

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AP Classes For College Prep | National Society of High School Scholars (2024)

FAQs

AP Classes For College Prep | National Society of High School Scholars? ›

I n general you should try to take courses each year in English, science, math, the social sciences, and foreign language. Colleges want to see that you are taking on challenges when available, so if your school offers AP courses in any of these areas, you should consider taking them.

What AP classes look best for college? ›

I n general you should try to take courses each year in English, science, math, the social sciences, and foreign language. Colleges want to see that you are taking on challenges when available, so if your school offers AP courses in any of these areas, you should consider taking them.

How many AP classes should I take for a scholarship? ›

How many AP® classes should I take?
Ivy LeagueMinimum of 8 AP® Classes
Top 20 schoolsMinimum of 6 AP® Classes
Top 100 schoolsMinimum of 4 AP® Classes
All other schoolsMinimum of 1 AP® Class
Mar 1, 2022

What is the hardest high school AP class? ›

Calculus AB

This college-level calculus course is considered the hardest AP class by many students. You'll study differential equations, integral calculus, and mathematical theorems in AP Calculus AB. The exam consists of 45 MCQs and six free-response questions.

What is a good number of AP classes to take in high school? ›

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.

Is 3 AP classes too little? ›

For moderately selective colleges: Take AP classes for most core subjects and a few additional courses. These will amount to around 4-8 AP courses. For less selective colleges: You can take AP classes in some core subjects in addition to courses relevant to your interests and goals.

Is 6 AP classes too much senior year? ›

It's not uncommon for applicants to highly selective schools to have as many as 5 or 6 AP classes senior year, but keep your own schedule and limits in mind.

Is 5 AP classes too much junior 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.

Is 3 AP classes too much sophomore year? ›

I recommend taking only 2 APs sophomore year, 4-5 Junior year, and 3 to 4 Senior year. That puts you in the 9-11 range which more than enough. Also keep in mind that if you apply to Brown with 12 APs, you've wasted your time since they give you ZERO AP credit.

What is the most failed AP exam? ›

At many high schools, AP Physics is notorious for its difficulty level. In addition, it has the lowest overall pass rate of any AP exam.

What are the top 5 hardest aps? ›

Okay, Seriously, Which AP Classes Are the Hardest? United States History, Biology, English Literature, Calculus BC, Physics C, and Chemistry are often named as the hardest AP classes and tests.

What are the least popular AP classes? ›

In 2021, the least popular AP exams were as follows, based on number of test-takers:
  • AP Italian (2,102 test-takers)
  • AP Japanese (2,204 test-takers)
  • AP German (4,315 test-takers)
  • AP 3-D Art and Design (4,573 test-takers)
  • AP Latin (4,889 test-takers)

Should I take more AP classes junior or senior year? ›

Most people take APUSH their junior year. Also, it is recommended to take more AP's your junior year than senior year since you can have a "last minute" gpa boost and colleges tend to look at your sophomore and junior year grades more. Senior year grades are just to see if you are still keeping up that rigor.

Is 10 APs enough for Ivy League? ›

How Many AP Classes Should You Take for Ivy Leagues and Other Top US Universities? 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.

Is 11 AP classes too much? ›

Your AP course load should be dictated by the answers to these questions: -If your school over 20+ APs , then taking 1/2 of them is not too much. If your school only offers 6, then take 6. -If the best students at your school typically take 10-12, then you are in the right zone.

What AP classes impress colleges? ›

The best AP classes to take for college are those that relate to your area of study in some way. Some of the most common major- or career-related AP classes include: AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science. AP Environmental Science and AP Human Geography.

What AP classes do colleges care about? ›

AP classes in core subjects such as calculus, physics, and English language and composition might be considered more valuable in admissions reviews than electives such as art history or psychology. The exams might not be "easier," but the course content is considered less fundamental to college preparation.

Do AP classes look good for college? ›

Colleges like them both. Both honors and AP courses are rigorous courses that most high schools weight more heavily on your transcript. AP courses, however, culminate in the AP Exam. Good AP scores show colleges you are ready to succeed at college-level work and can even earn you college credits.

What AP classes do Ivy Leagues like? ›

Ivy League schools want you to take the most challenging classes in math, science, social studies, English, and foreign language. If you take all APs in those subject areas but skip AP Music Theory, admissions committees won't fault you for it.

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