AP Courses, Majors and Careers
For many high schools, course selection for the next school year begins as early as now, and it’s a great time to consider whether or not you should register for an AP course next year. Most students have their first chance to take an AP course in their junior year.
Why are AP courses important? The answer is simple: AP courses help an admissions team determine an applicants foundation in a particular field.
You’re probably wondering how you’re going to choose an AP course that is right for you.
Here are a few good rules to follow in order to maximize your time in high school:
Take courses you are interested in and feel you can excel in. So, if you are stronger in math, take an honors math class, or if you are stronger in history, don’t be afraid to try an honors or AP history class.
Keep in mind time management when making your selection. Maintaining a balance between extra-curriculars and a strong GPA is extremely important. We are not saying to take every advanced course available at your high school. You need to find that balance for yourself. You want to make sure that you are comfortable with challenging yourself every step of the way. Beyond just GPA, beyond just rank in class, what the admissions team are really are more concerned with is your journey over time, and how you got there.
Complete all required classes. It’s important to take the classes that interest you while also making sure that you fulfill the necessary requirements. High schools have a minimum amount of classes that you must take in each core subject to graduate; however, the level of college to which you are applying might have a higher standard. Be sure to check with your colleges to make sure you are meeting their requirements.
Finally, if your high school has limited AP course offerings, look at off-campus resources, such as enrolling in a local community college course, online courses, or through self-study.
The College Board provides detailed information on which AP courses need to be taken by different majors. Listed below are some course selection suggests for common majors in STEM.
Visit the interactive College Board website to match college majors and careers with the AP courses that can help you get there.