Chicago had a big boost in applications this year -- up by 12%, with only 18% of early action applicants accepted. It's a great school and the enthusiasm of Chicago alums is a huge tipping point in its favor. Go Maroons!

Wow, so happy to see U of C here. I went there 20 years ago...no APs. It was a different world then I guess. Anyhow congrats to both of your children. I hope my DD can get in there when it's her turn in 12 years.

NCS limits AP's to two per year for jr and sr year but makes exceptions. Girls also take the AP test without taking the course. So course count might only be four or five but they may get credit for a few more.

Another Chicago admit, from a DC private. By the end of senior year: 2 classes designated as APs , plus 3 others for which DC took or will take the AP exam. Clearly, this demonstrates the counselor's point: answers are all over the map as it depends on the school and the student.

My DD -- accepted at U Chicago -- graduated TJHSST with six AP plus two post-AP classes (dual-enrolled TJ/GMU math classes).

Anonymous wrote:At DC's large public high school, class rank is closely tied to how many AP's the student takes. Those in the top 1% have taken about ten AP's. It seems ridiculous, but to distinguish oneself academically it is necessary to take that many. On the other hand, this rule does NOT apply to recruited athletes. The academic standards are different for them.

That depends what school system you are in. MCPS doesn't do class rank. In MCPS honors and APs both get one extra point so for the weighted GPA they count the same. I also don't think weighted GPAs have much impact at the top college level - they are going to look at the unweighted GPA.

And for once I agree with Holton Ivy Crew mom. At our school the recruited athletes to top colleges are taking many APs too. Presumably when the OP asked about top colleges she wasn't talking about the top football universities, who may indeed have different standards for their recruited athletes.

My DD -- recruited athlete to top Ivy -- did 5 APs at top private here.

At DC's large public high school, class rank is closely tied to how many AP's the student takes. Those in the top 1% have taken about ten AP's. It seems ridiculous, but to distinguish oneself academically it is necessary to take that many. On the other hand, this rule does NOT apply to recruited athletes. The academic standards are different for them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate to say that it depends. Colleges want to see that you are taking the most challenging curriculum available. At our MCPS HS the top students end up with about 10 APs. A few will have more. They normally have 2-3 by the end of 10th grade. But at some of the competitive private schools 4-6 is more common (and sometimes they aren't called AP classes but kids take the AP test at the end of the year.)

Jay Mathews recently said to aim for 3-5.

The other thing colleges are looking for is progress in a subject. So it's better to take 4 years of math and science if thats your interest than it is to take AP art history just for the sake of having an AP.

I don't recommend it, but how do kids have 2-3 APs by the end of 10th grade? My DD in FFX County public only had AP History (and at the time I thought that was the max).

In our MCPS they would have AP Govt in 9th, AP US History in 10th and then a few kids will take AP Calc in 10th, or some will have an AP language in 10th. At our school it's maybe 10-15% of the grade that is on the AP history track, and a smaller group who is on the accelerated math track (almost all of this latter group is also on the AP history track).

Anonymous wrote:I hate to say that it depends. Colleges want to see that you are taking the most challenging curriculum available. At our MCPS HS the top students end up with about 10 APs. A few will have more. They normally have 2-3 by the end of 10th grade. But at some of the competitive private schools 4-6 is more common (and sometimes they aren't called AP classes but kids take the AP test at the end of the year.)

Jay Mathews recently said to aim for 3-5.

The other thing colleges are looking for is progress in a subject. So it's better to take 4 years of math and science if thats your interest than it is to take AP art history just for the sake of having an AP.

I don't recommend it, but how do kids have 2-3 APs by the end of 10th grade? My DD in FFX County public only had AP History (and at the time I thought that was the max).

I wouldn't advise more than 2/year especially if for a student who is a competitive athlete, musician, etc. And it's aways better to get an 'A' in the class and a 4 or 5 on the test, than taking more getting lower grades and scores.

Rice University. 3 APs.

Tell your daughter to focus on learning, not on college admissions.

That's true pp. At the elite privates -- most of the regular classes are hard...so taking an AP is even harder. Public School kids are expected to take a lot more since there are so many kids that is how they can distinguish themselves. Since publics don't/can't reject anyone -- the bottom feed is low.

I hate to say that it depends. Colleges want to see that you are taking the most challenging curriculum available. At our MCPS HS the top students end up with about 10 APs. A few will have more. They normally have 2-3 by the end of 10th grade. But at some of the competitive private schools 4-6 is more common (and sometimes they aren't called AP classes but kids take the AP test at the end of the year.)

Jay Mathews recently said to aim for 3-5.

The other thing colleges are looking for is progress in a subject. So it's better to take 4 years of math and science if thats your interest than it is to take AP art history just for the sake of having an AP.

My oldest daughter is having a hard time getting concrete answers from her her HS guidance dept. When she asks questions about the number of AP classes she should take, she hears "well, it depends on the student," or "well, there is a wide range." If your child got in to a top college, how many APs classes did she/he take before graduation. I understand that grades, test scores, community involvement are all important. But is there a minimum number of APs standard to even get a top college to look at an application? ANY input as far as AP would be appreciated. She is a HS sophomore will all A's so far, and mostly honors classes. She also is a competetive athlete. She is trying to plan out her junior and senior year course load. Thanks!