freshespresso

I tried out one AP class this year, Biology, to see if I could handle the increased workload. And I could; I'm doing very well in it. So when it came time to pick classes for next year (junior year), I wanted to take more AP's, like two or three.

Well, I found out I can't. My school is so rigid about what classes you take that there is simply no way for me to take more than 1 AP class next year. We only have 6 class slots, and one of them is taken up by a theology class. I'm only going to be in precalculus and Spanish 3, and there's no zero period or anything like that. The only bright side is that in Honors English 11 you have the option of taking the AP English Composition, which I'm planning on doing. So I'll have two AP test scores under my belt next year, at least.

But I'm reading about these people on here who are taking 3, 4, even 5 AP classes their junior year! And now I'm feeling like I'm at a distinct disadvantage because A. my middle school screwed me over and didn't offer foreign language or anything resembling an advanced math program, which I would have been capable of doing, and B. My high school simply won't let me take more than 1 AP. I'm planning on taking 4 AP's my senior year, but is that too little, too late? Is only 7 AP scores total not good enough? But then again, I don't know what else to do short of transferring, which I really don't want to do...

Rain202

Don't worry, the college admissions will evaluate you in context of your school. Every school is different. As long as your course load is considered challenging and rigorous at your school, you should be fine. You won't be at a total disadvantage.

cortana431

7 ap courses is totally fine. Part of how colleges define "course rigor" is how much you challenged yourself in terms of what your school offers. It sounds like you are taking all the ap classes possible so you are fine.

If you are really motivated and bright, you can self study for one or more ap exam and take it at your or another high school. Common exams I know are self studies are human geography, psychology, and statistics.

freshespresso

Hmm, I have taken or signed up for all the AP/Honors classes I could so far, but even the number of Honors courses I can take is limited: two last year, two this year, and three next year. The only thing I could have done differently is chosen to take 2 AP's this year instead of one, but I wasn't sure I could handle it and was hoping to work my way up to more AP's. I didn't realize until this year that's not really possible...

hallya13

Rain is right. My school does the same thing. Your counselor will mention this in her recommendation.

Waverly

Why can't you take more, is it because of your grades? Do others at your school get to take more?

glido

Colleges want you to challenge yourself to the extent opportunities are available to you. If your school restricts AP options, colleges will not hold that against you.

Metrical

As others have said, it's all relative to your school. The admission committee will want to see that you have taken the most rigorous course-load at your school, even if that is only 5 AP courses. Your guidance counselor should mention in his/her recommendation that you have taken as many APs as your school would allow.

Additionally, if you would like to study more APs for your own benefit or to show that you are willing to go above and beyond what your school can offer you, there is always self-studying. Check the AP forum for more information about this.

freshespresso

Waverly, no it's not because of my grades. It's that they are very rigid with your schedule and there are some courses everyone has to take, which limits the amount of AP's I can take.

For example, every single junior has to take Honors or College Prep English 11, Algebra 2/Trig or Honors Precalculus (unless you are way ahead and can take AP Calculus AB junior year, which is not the case for me), regular or honors chemistry, and Church History. That gives you two elective slots, but my counselor strongly suggested I take Spanish III, so that only leaves me with room for one AP class.

nugraddad

My kids took some of the easy requirements in summer school, and saved the reg year for the AP/Honors classes.

You might also get out of your History Of Religion if you tell them you are an atheist / buddist / zoroasterian.