Do Colleges Really Care about APUSH?

[Anonymous]

I have a child who is not so crazy about US History but probably could deal with taking the AP versus the Hon version. However, he is taking other AP classes and would much prefer to put energy into that. However, we do not know if it's frowned upon to take the APUSH versus Hon US History, especially since DS will likely do something in STEM in college.

[Anonymous]

No, not if you are applying as a STEM student and have the courses and achievements not back that up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who is not so crazy about US History but probably could deal with taking the AP versus the Hon version. However, he is taking other AP classes and would much prefer to put energy into that. However, we do not know if it's frowned upon to take the APUSH versus Hon US History, especially since DS will likely do something in STEM in college.

My DD passed on APUSH. She has ADHD and we insisted she limit to 3 APs in junior year. She wanted to take AP English, AP Calculus and use the 3rd slot for AP Biology (future biology major). She did fine in admissions.

[Anonymous]

APUSH (the test) is really hard. THere's no sense getting a mediocre grade and the a 3. Skip it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who is not so crazy about US History but probably could deal with taking the AP versus the Hon version. However, he is taking other AP classes and would much prefer to put energy into that. However, we do not know if it's frowned upon to take the APUSH versus Hon US History, especially since DS will likely do something in STEM in college.

APUSH speaks for itself that the student does not hold back taking on a challenging AP. But if your DS is applying for not so competitive stem major at a not so competitive college, then it shouldnt matter, could go with the easier Honors version.

[Anonymous]

or if they're applying to schools like MIT, who really doesn't care about APUSH

[Anonymous]

We know a lot of kids who skipped on APUSH. World or European History AP seems to be a good substitutes. The ones who took regular were taking a full or nearly schedule of other APs, including the 2 period science, so the rigor was already there.

[Anonymous]

My DC loves history and took and got 5s on every history/social science AP at their HS including APUSH as a freshman. Fast forward DC is now a freshman in college (T25 university) and those APs were worth very little in credits his college accepts nor did they allow him to vault past basic poli sci or history requirements. Compare that to the AP maths and hard sciences and languages that entitled him to credit or at least to jump past initial basic requirements in those subjects. So I’d guess colleges don’t care very much about APUSH and the other AP history/poli sci classes.

[Anonymous]

Colleges want to admit students who challenge themselves. If they don't take a core class at AP level because they enjoy other classes better, that sends a signal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colleges want to admit students who challenge themselves. If they don't take a core class at AP level because they enjoy other classes better, that sends a signal.

Not if the rest of their schedule is tough and they have 1 History AP in the mix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges want to admit students who challenge themselves. If they don't take a core class at AP level because they enjoy other classes better, that sends a signal.

Not if the rest of their schedule is tough and they have 1 History AP in the mix.

Conventional wisdom at our school is that a kids aiming for top school should take APUSH, AP-Gov, AP Calc (at least AB), at least one AP Science, AP Lang, AP Lit and AP FL-Lang if they started FL early enough to get that far. After that, they specialize--STEM kids take more science; Soc Studies kids take AP-World, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colleges want to admit students who challenge themselves. If they don't take a core class at AP level because they enjoy other classes better, that sends a signal.

Do you have kids in college?

[Anonymous]

In the micro, no. Skipping APUSH isn't going to torpedo your kid's admissions chances.

In the macro, you'll want to show academic rigor. But taking 12 APs vs. 11 APs isn't going to move the needle much for college AOs.

FWIW, APUSH is my kid's favorite class this year, even though he won't study poly sci or history in college. I've been very impressed with the depth of what he's learned about the constitution, political theory, etc. It's a ton of work, but I think it's been one of the more college-level courses he's taken (out of 12 total APs).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Colleges want to admit students who challenge themselves. If they don't take a core class at AP level because they enjoy other classes better, that sends a signal.

Do you have kids in college?

DP, yes, and I agree with PP. I don't think every kid should aspire to ivies, even super smart ones, but there is a checkbox on the college counselors recommendation that says "took most challenging possible" and you want that box checked if you are shooting high.

That said why bother a stem kid and make him miserable? So the box isn't checked and you get your engineering degree from Case Western instead of MIT. Is that so bad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In the micro, no. Skipping APUSH isn't going to torpedo your kid's admissions chances.

In the macro, you'll want to show academic rigor. But taking 12 APs vs. 11 APs isn't going to move the needle much for college AOs.

FWIW, APUSH is my kid's favorite class this year, even though he won't study poly sci or history in college. I've been very impressed with the depth of what he's learned about the constitution, political theory, etc. It's a ton of work, but I think it's been one of the more college-level courses he's taken (out of 12 total APs).

This. If aiming for top schools they want to see your kid has taken the most rigorous courses offered by the high school. So macro is correct. If you aren’t aiming for top schools then less important