The second semester has just begun, and you are still reeling from first semester exams. The last thing on your mind is next year’s course selection, yet here you are—it is decision time! As you ponder this, you may be asking yourself, how many AP classes should I take?
You aspire to be thoroughly prepared for college, and you want your application to truly shine. You envision admissions officers at your top college picks seeing you as a potential undergraduate with genuine promise. You understand that your application must showcase your academic ambition, your dedication to tackling challenges, and your initial exploration of your prospective major.
As you browse your high school’s course catalogue, you find a variety of AP course offerings. You recognize that taking AP classes can be instrumental in reaching your goals, which leads you to ask the same question commonly asked by countless high school students: How Many AP Classes Should I Take?
How Many AP Classes Should I Take?
That is an excellent question! To answer it effectively, it is helpful to understand how AP classes prepare high school students like you for the demands of higher education. AP courses are specifically designed to mirror introductory college-level courses in their respective subjects, making them academically rigorous.
Academic rigor encompasses both the depth and complexity of the material, leading to a deeper understanding that prepares students for more advanced learning. It also refers to the course workload. Success in an academically rigorous class typically requires more than just active engagement during class time (listening, taking notes, completing examples). It necessitates independent completion of homework assignments and dedicated study time outside of class.
Colleges and universities often suggest two to three hours of independent study for every hour spent in class, a workload that AP courses frequently reflect. This fact actually hints at the answer to the question of how many AP classes should you take.
This commitment to independent study cultivates vital critical thinking and problem solving skills. College-level work, and by extension AP courses, sets higher expectations for student performance. Students are expected to apply learned concepts to new situations rather than simply recalling information presented in class or practiced in assignments.
The academic rigor of AP courses also fosters the development of valuable time management skills, as students learn to set and adhere to scheduling priorities. Therefore, taking AP courses in preparation for college exposes students to the academic rigor that builds the necessary skills and confidence to be successful in college courses.
How Many AP Classes Should I Take for College Admissions?
Simply taking AP courses is not enough to impress college admissions officers. To truly demonstrate academic readiness, you need to earn strong grades (As and Bs) in these courses and achieve high AP exam scores (preferably 4s and 5s, but at least 3s). The key is to choose AP courses in subjects you are passionate about and in which you consistently perform well.
But how does this bring your college application to life instead of simply being another lifeless piece of paper in a stack of hundreds or thousands just like it?
Do not just take an AP course because it is AP. Instead, select AP classes that align with your academic interests and intellectual curiosity. By doing so, you can create a college application with a cohesive theme. This theme should reflect an exploration of your prospective major and potential career path, demonstrating how your passions align with the college or university’s offerings through your AP coursework and relevant volunteer or internship experiences.
For example, if you’re considering a career as a biostatistician (perhaps drawn to medicine but preferring to avoid blood), your high school curriculum could benefit from a selection of AP courses. Biology would provide a solid grounding in human cell biology, while chemistry is crucial for comprehending biological processes. Statistics is a natural fit given an inclination towards data analysis, and higher levels of mathematics such as Calculus AB are often necessary for statistical research. Computer Science A is also valuable, as mathematical research frequently involves programming. Finally, Psychology can be advantageous for understanding human behavior and collaborating with diverse individuals.
From an admissions perspective, colleges and universities function much like traditional businesses; they are in the business of educating people. Therefore, they aim to admit and enroll students who are likely to successfully complete four years of study at their college or university. They seek students who have thoughtfully chosen and successfully completed rigorous courses, evidenced by high grades and strong AP exam scores.
This indicates a student’s ability to handle collegiate-level rigor. Such students have demonstrated academic maturity, commitment, and endurance. The student’s interest in their proposed major drove them to explore challenging courses related to it, and their dedication to academic excellence ensured they invested the time necessary for success. This is what truly brings your college application to life!
How Many APs Are Too Many APs?
What would taking three or four AP classes in one year look like?
Typically, each high school class involves about four hours of in-class instruction per week. A common guideline in higher education recommends that for every hour spent in class, students should allocate two to three hours out of class for independent study, including homework, focused learning, and deeper engagement with the material. For this example, we will allocate three hours upfront. This buffer accounts for complex concepts, challenging assignments, and unforeseen academic hurdles, ensuring you have ample time to grasp the material thoroughly and excel in these courses.
This means that one AP class alone can require up to 12 hours of independent work weekly. This commitment can quickly add up: three AP classes could demand 36 hours of out-of-class work per week, while four AP classes might require 48 hours. Essentially, managing three or four AP courses can be as demanding as a full-time job!
Remember, those three or four AP courses are not the only commitments you will be juggling! High school students typically take six or seven academic classes annually. This means you will have an additional three or four classes, besides your APs, that will also demand your time outside of class. And we have not even factored in extracurriculars like sports, music, clubs, volunteer work, internships, or a part-time job!
Without careful consideration of your entire schedule, you might find yourself with no free time to decompress. This can lead to academic burnout: a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to academic stress and pressure. Common symptoms of academic fatigue include lack of motivation and decreased academic performance, which would ultimately defeat the purpose of taking AP classes.
Conclusion
So, how many AP classes should you take?
Ultimately, the optimal number of AP classes for you to take depends on your individual capacity, academic goals, and commitment to maintaining strong grades and achieving high exam scores. While AP courses undeniably enhance your college application by demonstrating academic rigor and a commitment to challenging yourself, it’s crucial to strike a balance to avoid academic fatigue.
Thoughtfully select courses that align with your passions and prospective major, ensuring you have enough time to dedicate to independent study and extracurricular activities. By making informed decisions, you can showcase your academic prowess and present a compelling, authentic college application that truly stands out.
Choosing the right AP course load can make a big difference in your college admissions journey. If you need help building your AP schedule or balancing your course work, our academic tutors and college counselors are just a click away. Schedule your free consultation and connect with our experts to create a strategy that fits your goals.
