One of the most important decisions students make each year is how they structure their coursework - particularly when it comes to Advanced Placement (AP) classes. AP choices shape not only a student's academic experience in high school but also how colleges evaluate readiness, motivation, and long-term potential.
AP Exams Decide Students' Fate
- College Acceptance Letters
- Admissions officers review AP coursework carefully to understand how a student challenged themselves relative to what was available. A thoughtful AP schedule demonstrates initiative, intellectual curiosity, and ambition. Colleges are not looking for the most APs possible; they are looking for purposeful rigor paired with strong performance.
- Lower Tuition Costs by Earning College Credits in High School
- Many colleges award credit for AP exam scores. Link: See What AP Exam Scores YOU Need to Earn Credits at Your Favorite Colleges.
- AP Scholar with Distinction Award
- Consistent performance across multiple AP exams can lead to national recognition, such as the AP Scholar with Distinction Award, which strengthens applications and demonstrates sustained academic excellence rather than one-off success.
- Resume-Building & Internship Potential
- AP coursework helps students develop advanced analytical writing and problem-solving skills that are valuable beyond admissions. These skills often translate into stronger resumes, more competitive internship applications, and greater confidence in academic or professional settings.
AP courses help students challenge themselves and show colleges how they approach academic rigor. The strongest AP schedules are intentional, not overloaded. Colleges value students who take initiative, manage their time effectively, and succeed in demanding classes - not students who stretch themselves so thin that performance suffers.
Here's How You Should Choose Your AP Courses:
- Match Your Interests & Strengths
- Students perform best when AP courses align with subjects they genuinely enjoy or excel in. Passion and aptitude often lead to stronger grades, higher exam scores, and more compelling academic narratives.
- Support Your Possible Major or Career Goals
- AP choices should help signal areas of interest. A student interested in Engineering might prioritize AP Calculus and AP Physics, while a future Humanities major may focus on AP English or AP History.
- Build Logically from Year to Year
- AP coursework should reflect progression. Advanced classes make the most sense when they build upon prior learning, showing growth and increasing rigor over time.
- Allow Yourself to Perform Well, Not Just Survive
- Colleges prefer strong grades in fewer APs over mediocre performance in too many. Success, balance, and consistency matter more than sheer volume.
- Consider What to Take at School but Also Outside of School
- If a school does not offer certain APs or advanced subjects, students can sometimes supplement with approved online or external coursework. Used strategically, this can strengthen a transcript without overwhelming a student's schedule.
AP courses are most powerful when chosen with intention. A well-planned Ap strategy strengthens transcripts, supports admissions goals, and sets students up for long-term academic success but only when rigor is balanced with performance and purpose.
At Dewey Smart, we help students build thoughtful, individualized academic plans that align coursework, extracurriculars, and college goals. From AP selection and long-term academic mapping to admissions strategy and college credit planning, our counselors ensure students challenge themselves strategically and stand out for the right reasons.