AP Classes in Senior Year: How critical are they for college admissions?

I've got a packed schedule with AP classes for my senior year. From an admissions perspective, do colleges look at senior year AP classes in the same light as the earlier years, or are they considered less important since the scores are often reported after admissions decisions?

Colleges definitely pay attention to your senior year course load, and they want to see that you've continued to challenge yourself academically. This is often referred to as 'senior year rigor'. Even though AP scores from senior year are reported after decisions are made, the fact that you're taking AP classes in your senior year sends a message to colleges that you're serious about your education and willing to push yourself right to the end of high school. For example, one of my students last year took AP Literature and AP Biology during his senior year, and even without the scores available, admissions officers commented on his commitment to academic excellence during the admissions process. In sum, it's not just about the AP scores; it's about the willingness to engage in challenging coursework throughout your entire high school career. So yes, your packed AP schedule will be viewed favorably by admissions committees.