So I see a lot of talk on here about “fluff” AP Courses but I’m not really sure how they’re are classified. Any ideas? What AP’s are considered “fluff” and which are rigorous?
Generally speaking I think APES is considered more of a beginner AP and Physics is considered more rigorous. Although the percentage of students getting 4s and 5s in the AP language tests seems to be higher than most of the other APs .
I would place Psychology, Human Geography, and Environmental Science in the “lighter” group.
Also if a person takes AP Stat rather than AP Calc that may be considered taking a lighter courseload. But it is all relative of course.
Keep in mind that a student’s interest should be a part of scheduling. HS isn’t a race to stack up the most APs or take every rigorous AP. FWIW one of my D’s favorite HS classes was AP Psychology which she took out of genuine interest had a wonderful teacher.
fluff may be too strong a word as AP classes require work and effort, however the admission officers have a view about APs based on their high school experience and working at the admissions office. So these are the rigorous APs:
stem - Calculus AB/BC, AP Chemistry, AP Physics
non-stem - APUSH, APLAC, APLit, AP in a foreign language
The other APs are ok to take as long as you’ve take a couple of the above (Stats as long as you’ve taken Calc and Bio as long as you’ve taken chem, AP Gov as long as you’ve taken APUSH).