I won't have enough APs?

easyasocean
Mon, 03 Sep 2012 17:11:21 +0000

Hi, thanks for your help in advanced. I am a rising junior in a Canadian high school, and in our school board, most schools offer pre AP courses in grade 11 then actual AP courses in grade 12. I’d like to try to get into an Ivy league school, but I’m reading everywhere that at least 6 AP courses are recommended.
The problem is I really can’t take more than one AP during junior year because the only course that lines up in the way where I can take the pre AP first semester, then grade 12 AP second semester is English, and all other subjects either have the grade 12 AP course first semester (won’t be able to take the prerequisite first) or the prerequisite grade 11 course is in semester 2.
At best, I’d be able to take 2 AP sciences, 2 AP math, and AP economics. That would be 1 AP exam before applications, and 5 (at the very most, and only if the schedule fits. and they are definitely not all taking place before applications)
Will this really hurt my chances? I have heard that universities take into account limitations due to what your school offers, but I don’t know how accurate that is or if it even applies to the Ivy schools.
Also, aside from my grade 10 English mark, I have gotten an A in everything, so would it be wise to retake it (remedial summer class) since I’ve heard American schools are heavy on GPAs?
And should I be taking AP prep classes outside of class? They cost a lot and they don’t seem to be worth it to me, what do you think?
Any help would be highly appreciated, thanks!