What if you only took 1 AP Course in junior year, and planning to take 3 AP's during senior year? Answered
Hi All!
I'm currently a junior, and this year, I've only taken one AP course, and it's AP CSP. I'm planning to take 3 AP's my senior year, such as AP Chem, AP physics, AP psychology. As I didn't take a rigorous or a lot of AP's. Does that mean my academic profile isn't strong enough and that I might get rejected from some above average colleges?
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4 answers
Hi, thank you for asking your question! I agree with @Jack_req, you can always make up for your weak area, as long as you have enough time to build your application. It may so happen that you are not a competitive applicant for selective schools -- on average CollegeVine sees that competitive applicants to selective schools have 7 AP courses across the four years of high school. That being said, if you have stellar grades in the classes you are taking, and have a great standardized test score, you will be on the right track to being a competitive applicant.
And also, just note, GPA and standardized tests are not the end-all-be-all in admissions. There is more that matters including ECs, essays and letter of recommendations. See this video for further clarification on what makes a competitive application to elite schools.
I know this is the answer that no one wants to hear, but it really depends: How many AP’s does your school offer for each grade level? If you are taking all of the AP’s offered, then surely you would be able to check off the AP rigor constituent of your college application; if you are only taking most, then you plausibly would be able to; if you are only taking some or relatively less than that, then it’s a reach. But fear not! An upward trend in grades and rigor in high school may likely alleviate some concerns of admission officers. My cousin was accepted into Cornell University with 4-5 AP’s (I don’t remember specifically), one C, and three B’s; the reason she was accepted, she told me, was that she had an upward trend in both grades and rigor.
However, and obviously, Ivy League colleges or the like may be harder to appease with a low or even medium count of AP’s than the average college - even with an upward trend.
But go ahead and make that relative upward trend for yourself anyway, because like I said, it really depends, but colleges will find more appeal in such trend than one of general stagnation or decline.
I don't think you will be rejected from above average schools, having 4 APs is a good resume. Top level schools may reject you, but if there is one thing I can't emphasize enough is this: You can always make up for a weak area. If your GPA/ACT score is stellar, or you've written a good essay, colleges will excuse a dip in coursework rigor. The fact you're taking APs already is excellent anyway, and you're on an excellent track.
No this is good, 4 AP classes is probably above average for "above average" colleges, it honestly depends on what you mean by above average schools. I would take AP classes that interest you and I think going from 1 junior year to 3 senior year is good. If you're getting good grades in these AP classes and your other non-AP classes, you're in perfect shape!
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Thank you very much for your comment! It really helps a lot : )