<p>That could work for an essay, but hopefully they would write about something else. Anyway, I think I’m just used to seeing students who have taken at least 10 APs by the end of senior year, w/many taking 5 senior year for example. I have no idea if it improves admissions chances greatly, but from a preparation point of view, it is probably useful. When I took APs, I honestly tried to just go w/the best teachers (I would also take a diverse array of subjects). Most of them taught honors level, which was good (and I probably took at least one of their honors classes prior to AP), but the APs turned out much better. Anyway, I question whether someone is choosing based upon intellectual curiosity when they say that, “I enjoy/am interested in the topic, but it’s too much work.”</p>
<p>I’ll revise my opinion and say that 4 is enough (I just haven’t seen it in a long time. Or perhaps my peers are more intense than average, even among an intense student body). Also, ED makes for good chances. I really love how some schools grade generously (courses are hard, but grading is not. So working hard guarantees an A at such schools. If only college science courses worked like this, sigh.) enough so that students are pretty sure they’ll make straight As on a 10 point scale in 4 APs. Not even our valedictorian thought that way (she would get a few Bs as well. She’s at Yale now). Generally most at my school could expect a B or C (even after weighting) in the class and a 4-5 on the exam. Not many A grades in APs. Getting straight As was an awesome aspiration though, and those who had it, would avoid C grades. Different rules for different schools I guess.</p>