What's an AP class and should I take them in high school?

I'm currently a high school junior trying to plan out my senior year courses. I've heard a lot about AP classes and know some classmates who are taking a bunch, but I'm not exactly sure what all the hype is about or what they even are. Can someone explain what an AP class is and how they might impact college applications?

I'm curious if they're really necessary for getting into a good college and if they also help with earning college credit. I'm trying to balance my schedule, so I'm wondering if the workload is much heavier compared to regular classes. Do AP courses actually give you a significant advantage, and is there any downside if I'm not planning to attend a super competitive university? Any advice or personal experiences would be really helpful!

AP (Advanced Placement) classes are college-level courses offered by high schools that allow students to delve into specific subjects at a deeper level. They're designed by the College Board - yes, the same folks who give you the SAT - and cover a broad array of subjects from calculus to U.S history. The AP curriculum is meant to reflect what you'd learn in a similar college course.

The key to AP is the AP Exam at the end of the academic year. Scoring well on it (think 4 or 5) could earn you college credit or advanced standing, depending on the college's policy. This could save you time and money once you reach college.

AP classes are generally considered a good way to showcase academic rigor on your high school transcript. Admissions committees at universities often look at course rigor as an indicator of how prepared a student is for college-level work. Even if you're not aiming for the Ivies, having AP classes on your transcript can still be beneficial.

However, they do typically come with a heavier workload than regular classes. It's critical to consider how many AP classes you can handle without getting overly stressed or letting your grades slide. Contrarily, a lower grade in an AP class might not look as good as an 'A' in a regular class.

Remember, not all APs are created equal. Prioritize taking AP courses in areas of interest or areas where you might want to major in college. For instance, if you're interested in engineering, AP Calculus and AP Physics may be a good fit.

Potential downsides? Well, AP classes can add stress and potentially limit your time for other activities. Also, note that not all universities give credit or advanced standing for AP coursework. You need to look at the policies of the universities you're interested in.

Like many parts of your high school journey, AP classes are what you make of them. They can be a great opportunity to explore subjects in-depth, showcase your academic prowess, possibly earn college credit, and prepare for the rigors of college courses. However, they only give you an advantage if you can handle the workload and perform well, so you need to balance carefully.