How Many APs Should My Student Take?
Don't get caught up in the AP hype. You don't need a million APs in high school. In fact, you really shouldn't have too many APs. All tests and no fun make a dull teen. A recent study of 400,000 entrants to about 100 colleges proves that high school sanity reigns supreme.
How Many APs should your student take? Here are some guidelines:
- 1 or 2 APs has the biggest benefit
- 4-6 APs are suggested for Ivy League schools
- More than 4-6 APs doesn't improve success
- Conclusion: more is not better.
- Solution: take a reasonable number of AP tests for your student's goals
College admission advisers may recommend more and more APs, but that's not what will really impress a college. I have known some homeschoolers who were so busy taking AP classes that they didn't have time to cover core subjects, or have the time they needed to pursue interests and delight directed learning.
Homeschool parents know their child best and make the best guidance counselor for their student. We can ensure that our child does enough to meet their career goals, but not so much they get burned out and frustrated. Read Proof positive that the best guidance counselor is YOU!
If you don't need 12 APs, what do Ivy League schools want?
- Genuine activities (not gallons of business)
- Personal recommendations (not unfamiliar recommenders)
- Charming essays (not impersonal pat answers)
- Family background (to bring unique experiences to campus)
The report, "Studying the Benefits of Taking APs: Relationships between the Number of APs, AP Performance, and College Outcomes" was mentioned in the Washington Post article "Will 10 APs get you ready for Yale?" You might find it helpful.
SAT®, AP®, and CLEP® are trademarks owned by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this blog post or The HomeScholar, LLC.
Comments
By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://www.homehighschoolhelp.com/
More Encouraging Posts
-
Sending Homeschool Transcripts for Senior Year Applications
Is your child's transcript up to date? Even if their transcript looks great on paper, it can be confusing to figure out how to submit a homeschool transcript when you are filling out college applications during the fall of senior year. Let me give you a few quick tips to make your college admission process easier.
Homeschool transcripts aren't hard… Read More -
Why College Preparation is Important for Homeschoolers
… Read MoreHigh school is like driving on auto-pilot. You arrive at the destination, but can't remember driving! When you homeschool high school, sometimes life goes by and your child is a senior before you know what happened.
One Tuesday, a panicked parent of a senior in high school called. "I'm in a bind! I just found out that I need a -
The Basics of High School Electives for Homeschoolers
Electives are subjects your children do on their own and they aren't always something you assign. You'll learn how to put high school electives on your transcript. And, we'll go in depth on some frequently used electives so you can get some ideas and encouragement for electives in your own homeschool.
… Read MoreElectives are subjects your children do on their own, not something you assign.
-
How to Put Fabulous Fun on Your Homeschool Transcript
Some people simply aren't textbook people! What do you do if your homeschooler learns by living, instead of studying textbooks? What if your child soaks up knowledge like a sponge, without being directed in any way? If this is you, do you know how to put their fabulous fun on your child's homeschool transcript?
… Read MoreDownload your free eBook, How to
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47