AP refers to Advanced Placement classes. These are high school classes taught with college level curriculum and expectations. If completed successfully, they can set you apart from your peers, add additional points to your high school grade point average, demonstrate college-readiness, and lead to college credit. Keep in mind that not all high schools offer AP or other advanced level course options (such as IB, honors or accelerated courses).
Although the standard college prep curriculum may vary slightly, it generally includes:
• 3 years of math (through at least algebra II)
• 4 years of English
• 3 years of social studies
• 3 years of science (1 year with a lab)
• 2-3 years of a single foreign language
Beyond the standard college prep curriculum, elite universities and all competitive schools will evaluate your curriculum within the context of your high school’s available courses and the policies governing enrollment. Some schools might not offer AP, IB, honors or accelerated course options. Some might offer more than 20. Some schools will limit enrollment in advanced level classes to juniors and seniors. There are a number of variations.
Here is what you need to know about APs and other advanced level classes (IB, dual enrollment, honors/accelerated):
• Take at least five solid academic classes each year grades 9-12.
• If your high school offers a large number of AP/IB/honors/accelerated options, in order to demonstrate academic rigor, you should take them throughout high school.
• Pace yourself. Take a 1-3 honors/accelerated/pre IB courses during your freshman year and add in AP/IB classes, as you are able to manage the increased workload and maintain high grades.
• Select APs based on your interests and goals—this means not everyone needs to take AP Visual Art or AP Music Theory just because they are offered. Select advanced classes based on your subject area strengths.
• The most competitive applicants from schools that offer many AP options will complete 7 to 12 AP classes in total throughout high school.
• Not only should you take a rigorous curriculum, you need to demonstrate success. It is better to get a B in an AP class than an A in a regular course, but if you end up with a C in the AP class, it sends a signal that you were not able to rise to the challenge.
• If your high school doesn’t offer advanced level courses or only offers a limited selection, take the most rigorous classes available and consider enrolling in an online course or taking a course at a local community college.
Remember to consider the appropriate balance for your abilities, motivation and goals. In the big picture, universities look at a number of factors as they evaluate your overall application—rigor of curriculum (in relationship to other students at your high school), GPA, scores on SAT/SATII/AP/IB/ACT exams, extracurricular engagement, demonstrated leadership, commitment to community service, special talents (athletic, musical, other), letters of recommendation, and your essays. They also consider additional hooks like your demographic group and the particular challenges you may have faced.
Although there is no magic formula to gain acceptance to the Ivies and other elite universities, you will need to be in the top of your class (the top 5% in many cases) and have set yourself apart from your high school peers. These highly sought after elite institutions strive to admit the best students to form a diverse class. Taking a rigorous high school curriculum demonstrates your potential to excel in a top college or university.
By Marie Todd, Accepted's college admissions specialist. Marie has worked in college admissions for over twenty years. She has both counseled applicants and evaluated applications. Most recently she evaluated 5000+ applications for the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science and the Arts; College of Engineering; School of Kinesiology. She is available to assist you (or your child) with your applications. Want Marie to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!
Related Resources:
• Leadership in Admissions, free guide
• Getting Ready to Apply to Top Tier Colleges and Universities: Freshman Year
• Selecting Your High School Courses: Is a B Better Than an A?
