What AP classes are typically offered in high schools?

Hey everyone! I'm trying to plan out my senior schedule and I want to get some perspective. What kinds of Advanced Placement (AP) classes are usually available to take in high school? Also, is it better to focus on one particular subject area or diversify my AP classes?

AP courses cover a wide variety of subjects, and the ones offered can vary greatly by high school. Some commonly offered AP courses include AP U.S. History, AP English Language and Composition, AP Calculus (both AB and BC), AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics (1, 2, and C), AP Spanish, AP French, AP Human Geography, and more.

In terms of your AP course selection, it really depends on your academic and professional interests as well as your college admissions goals. If you are considering a STEM field, then rigorous AP courses in math and science (like AP Calculus, Physics, or Chemistry) would demonstrate your readiness for this type of study. Alternatively, if you're thinking about a humanities or social sciences path, you might want to focus more on classes like AP Literature, History, and Government.

However, it's also important to show a well-rounded knowledge base. Even if you're a future engineer, courses in English and the social sciences can show that you have a broad range of skills and that you can thrive in different types of classes. And keep in mind what many colleges are looking for: students with a highly-developed specialty or "spike."

For instance, if you're looking to study biology in college and have already taken AP Biology, it might make sense to take AP Chemistry or AP Environmental Science to build on your knowledge in related scientific fields. Likewise, if you're a budding historian who's already taken AP U.S. History, AP European History would be a logical next step to broaden your understanding of world events.

Remember, colleges are looking for a rigorous course load—but they're also looking for good grades. Don't overload yourself to the point where you're struggling to keep up and damaging your GPA. It's all about balance. Best of luck as you map out your senior year!