<p>Fogfog is right. In schools with no class rank and unweighted GPA’s (most elite preps) athletes are encouraged to take those courses that will generate the highest unweighted GPA - usually not honors or AP. This is through the end of their junior year. Early acceptance at the Ivies and likely letters are generated in the Fall of the senior year, so if you have an AI that is within range and you are not borderline, you are then cut loose to take honors and APs.</p>
<p>Note that this holds true for athletes at good schools that are clearly in the Ivies’ recruiting sights. It’s also true for helmet sports/basketball, but not as true for those sports that the Ivies are looking at for athletes that can be “boosters” to raise their non-football AI (crew, squash, etc.). The downside and risk is that if you break a leg and have to apply as non-athlete, your failure to take honors courses or APs earlier can damage you chances as a regular applicant. At the high level preps, the regular level courses are very challenging, but if you are at a high school where there is a significant difference in the level of the material taught between regular, honors, and AP, it can have consequences for the quality of your education.</p>
<p>I don’t think any of this is written anywhere. It’s an informal process of athletes and the high school coaches and counselors interfacing with the Ivies coaches and admission office as they navigate the twists and turns of gaining admission for desirable athletes under the Ivy League rules and each schools admissions policies.</p>