What AP Classes Should I Take?

Smiling high school students ready for class

The AP classes you take can significantly influence your college applications and your future academic path. But with a variety of subjects and challenging courses available, how do you decide which AP classes are right for you?

Ultimately, the choice of which Advanced Placement (AP) classes to take (or whether to take them at all!) is up to you. However, it’s worth considering the impact that AP classes can have on a high school student’s academic journey.

At Beyond Ivy, we don’t just want to help you get to college. We want to help you get through college so you can enjoy all four years to the fullest! Read on for our tips on choosing AP classes.

 

What Are AP Classes?

AP classes are college-level courses offered in high school that culminate in an AP exam. If you pass the AP exam, you can potentially earn college credit (depending on the policies of the college you attend).

AP classes are overseen by the College Board and subjects range from the sciences to the humanities, and even the social sciences.

teen girl peering into microscope in high school biology lab

Why Should I Take AP Classes?

AP classes are a great way to get a head start on college, offering an opportunity to earn college credit, impress college admissions officers, and prepare for the rigors of college-level coursework.

Because you are learning at a college level, successfully completing an AP class not only shows college admissions officers that you can handle rigorous courses, it allows you to earn credit for AP classes that may be transferable to your college of choice.

While they are great in the long run, AP courses can also help in the short term by boosting your GPA by up to a full point!

 

What AP Classes Should I Take?

Which AP classes you choose will depend on many factors, such as your academic strengths and interests, your workload, your high school’s availability, and your prospective college’s AP policies.

1. Your Academic Strengths & Weaknesses

AP classes are taught at the college level and your test scores will directly determine whether you earn college credit, so you should carefully consider the subject matter before you sign up for any AP course.

Taking on a class that is too difficult will create an unnecessary burden on your high school experience without contributing to your college preparation.

2. Your High School Workload

If your schedule is already full of classes, you may have a hard time throwing an AP course into the mix. However, your course load is limited by more than just the hours in the day. You should also consider any extracurricular activities—such as sports—you are involved in and whether or not you can handle additional classwork.

Most high schoolers start taking a few AP classes in their sophomore year, then adding a few additional classes every semester until their senior year of high school. This plan allows you to get used to the increasing workload gradually and still enjoy your high school experience!

Teacher assisting student in high school math class

3. Your High School’s AP Offerings

You’ll have to carefully consider what AP classes are offered at your high school as well as the reputations of the instructors. Not every AP class will be offered at every high school and you may need to prioritize ones that will get you the most college credits.

4. Your Prospective College’s AP Policy

Every college and/or university has different policies regarding what AP credits they will and will not accept. However, this can work in your favor.

If you know that certain AP classes will gain more college credits than others at your prospective school, you can focus your efforts on those to maximize your time.

5. Your Future College Major or Career Interests

When choosing AP classes, it’s crucial to align your selections with your academic interests and college goals. This alignment not only keeps you engaged and motivated but also demonstrates to college admissions officers that you have a clear direction and are preparing for your intended field of study.

When deciding which AP classes to take, consider your future college major or career interests. Here are some suggestions based on different fields:

  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics): AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science, AP Environmental Science
  • Humanities: AP English Literature, AP US History, AP World History, AP Psychology
  • Social Sciences: AP Government, AP Economics, AP Psychology, AP Human Geography
  • Business: AP Economics, AP Statistics, AP Calculus
  • Arts: AP Art History, AP Studio Art, AP Music Theory

Selecting AP courses that align with your long-term goals not only prepares you for your future studies but also shows colleges that you are serious about your chosen field.

two teens collaborating on coursework

Balancing AP Coursework with Other Responsibilities

Taking AP classes requires a significant time commitment and can be demanding. Therefore, it’s important to balance your AP coursework with other high school responsibilities, such as extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and personal interests.

Overloading on classes (AP or otherwise) can lead to burnout, so it’s essential to consider your overall course load and choose classes that you know you can pass with flying colors.

To strike a balance, prioritize your interests and strengths. If you’re strong in math and science, it might make sense to take AP Calculus and AP Biology in the same year. However, if you struggle with reading-heavy subjects, it might be wise to stagger courses like AP US History and AP English Literature across different years.

 

The Key To Success

Choosing AP classes should amount to more than just your academic interests. You also have to carefully consider your college and career goals as well as your ability to pass the AP exam.

While AP classes are valuable, it’s important to maintain a balanced schedule that allows you to excel in all areas of your high school experience. Consider speaking with your school counselor, teachers, independent education consultant, and even current college students to get advice tailored to your specific situation.

At Beyond Ivy, we are dedicated to helping high school students prepare for every aspect of their college experience, from academics to their social life. If you have questions about the exact AP classes you should be taking to prepare for college and beyond, we can help.

Contact us today so we can create an easy-to-follow plan.

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