Do I need to worry about AP if the school I am going to didn’t offer any AP or offer only a few AP?

[randomUser1029]

I think they have their own advanced level class but since college look at AP a lot should I worry about them?

[worriedmomucb]

Colleges do not expect you to take AP classes if your school does not offer AP classes. And if you are attending an elite prep school, the classes you take will likely exceed the rigor of AP classes - a fact known by AOs.

[happy1]

Not a problem at all.

[skieurope]

@randomUser1029

since college look at AP a lot s

They look at a demanding course schedule, which does not only mean AP. College admissions are quite familiar with the curriculum at various high schools.

Depending on the school, some students still take the AP exam in some subjects where the advanced coursework aligns. But that is more for potential college credit

[ameridad]

Actually, I think it depends on where you are likely to focus your college search. If you are thinking mainly of East Coast schools, the lack of AP tests won’t matter. But if you are planning on prestigious universities elsewhere, including privates like Vanderbilt/Duke/Rice or publics like U. Michigan, UVA, UCLA, U. Florida, etc., I think it would hurt your chances.

[familyrock]

Please see this thread:

Strategy when School does not have APs

Hoping to get some advice on APs. My daughter attends a school with no AP certified classes, which means the kids need to self study and take the exam. With the school already being rigorous, I don’t want her to overload herself but realize that APs might be important for college admission. I have heard of PS kids taking double digit AP classes and colleges know that some boarding schools do not offer them, but my gut is telling me that she needs to pursue. I am trying to guide my daughter as she is mid-way through her first year and is trying to determine how to map out her next 3.5 years. I already asked her advisor and didn’t come away from the conversation with a clear understanding of what she should aspire to. I am particularly interested in knowing how many and if there are some that are better than others from an admissions perspective. TIA!

[Swimmom2006]

No. What is important is to take as rigorous a schedule as your school offers. Colleges look for academic rigor, not AP classes. In some schools, AP classes are that. In others, like my son’s school, they have AP level classes, not taught to the test, and higher. In some schools, they may have only few or no, AP level classes.

[QueueCT]

I’m in this boat with my daughters this year … here’s our approach. Their school offers Honors classes that track, but don’t mirror, AP curricula. We didn’t worry about APs in 9th and 10th grade, even if they were available to take. This year (11th), I have one daughter who is eligible to take (US History, Chem and Calc AB). The other daughter is eligible for two (US History and Bio). Both work extremely hard to get good grades but one picks things up faster than the other so has more free time for extracurriculars and a social life. The other burns the candle at both ends to get the grades.

AP tests have value in two areas in my opinion 1) College credit and 2) edge in admissions. We registered one daughter for all three APs and the other for none. Why, aside from the obvious reason of time requirements to study for the test? D1 will apply to extremely competitive schools and needs every edge she can get in highlighting her academic capabilities, particularly at large publics or standardized test focused schools. D2 will apply to smaller, less competitive schools where she’ll get a holistic look and the need for AP test scores won’t be as critical. Different kids, different goals, different decisions. We decided that earning credit was a distant second to the above items.