Jul 17, 2025
Is AP Worth It? How Advanced Courses Impact Ivy League Admissions
Is AP Worth It? How Advanced Courses Impact Ivy League Admissions
By Andrya DavisAP CoursesCollege AdmissionsIvy League
In this article
For high school students dreaming of the Ivy League, the question of whether to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses looms large. AP classes are known for their rigor, and they’re often seen as a way to impress college admissions officers. But with the added stress, workload, and exam costs, many students wonder, Is AP really worth it?
The short answer is yes—but only when approached strategically. Ivy League admissions officers want to see students challenge themselves, and AP classes offer one way to demonstrate academic ambition. However, the key is knowing how these advanced courses can impact your application and how to make smart decisions about which ones to take.
In this blog, we’ll explore how AP courses can influence your chances of getting into an Ivy League school, discuss how to choose the right APs, and offer advice on balancing APs with the rest of your high school experience. Let’s dive in!
What Are AP Courses, and Why Do They Matter?
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are college-level classes offered in high school that are designed to challenge students with more rigorous material. At the end of each AP course, students can take the AP exam, which is scored on a scale of 1 to 5. Many colleges, including Ivy League schools, allow students to earn college credit if they score a 4 or 5.
Why Do AP Courses Matter for College Admissions?
AP courses demonstrate to admissions officers that you’re willing to push yourself academically. Top colleges, particularly those in the Ivy League, don’t just want students who can get straight A’s—they want students who excel in challenging environments.
Admissions officers use AP classes to assess:
- Academic rigor: Are you challenging yourself with the most advanced coursework available at your high school?
- Preparation for college: Have you demonstrated that you can handle college-level material before even stepping foot on campus?
- Subject mastery: Strong AP scores show that you’ve mastered the material, making you a more competitive candidate.
According to sources like Prep Scholar, Ivy League students took 7 - 12 or more AP classes during high school.
However, the value of AP courses goes beyond just demonstrating academic strength. They can also provide students with college credit, allowing them to bypass introductory courses or graduate early—saving time and tuition money.
APs and Ivy League Admissions: How Much Do They Really Matter?
There’s no denying that Ivy League schools are highly selective, and your academic record plays a significant role in the admissions decision. But how do AP courses factor in?
A Holistic Admissions Approach
Ivy League schools, such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia, use a holistic admissions process. This means they evaluate applicants based on their entire profile, including grades, extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, and test scores. While AP courses are important, they’re just one part of the puzzle.
AP courses are valuable for two main reasons:
- They show rigor: Admissions officers want to see that you’ve taken the most challenging courses available to you. If your school offers AP courses, not taking them (or taking very few) might signal that you haven’t maximized your academic opportunities.
- They indicate academic preparedness: Performing well in AP courses and on AP exams demonstrates that you’re capable of handling college-level work. This can be especially important in competitive fields like STEM, where success in AP Calculus or AP Chemistry can prove you’re prepared for advanced study.
But remember, taking APs isn’t about quantity—it’s about quality.
Pro Tip
Balance is key. You don’t need to take 10 AP courses to get into an Ivy League school, but you should aim to challenge yourself in areas that align with your academic interests.
Choosing the Right AP Courses: A Strategic Approach
Not all AP courses are created equal—especially when it comes to Ivy League admissions. Simply taking any AP course available isn’t always the best strategy. Instead, focus on choosing courses that align with your strengths, passions, and the major you’re considering.
Here’s how to approach AP course selection:
| Grade | Recommended AP Courses |
|---|---|
| 9th | [No need to take APs, focus on profile building!] |
| 10th | [No need to take APs, focus on profile building!] |
| 11th | Potentially take 3-4 APs in areas of strength (AP English Language, AP U.S. History, AP Biology) |
| 12th | Focus on advanced subjects that reflect your intended major (AP Calculus BC, AP Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Literature) |
Pro Tip
If you’re aiming for a STEM major, focus on taking AP classes like AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Computer Science. If you’re more humanities-focused, prioritize AP English Literature, AP U.S. History, and AP U.S. Government.
Quality Over Quantity
It’s tempting to overload on AP classes to impress colleges, but more doesn’t always mean better. Taking too many APs at once can result in burnout, lower grades, and unnecessary stress—none of which help your application. Ivy League schools care more about how you perform in AP courses, not how many you’ve taken.
Pro Tip
For highly competitive schools like Harvard and Yale, 6-8 AP classes over the course of your high school career is often considered a strong number, assuming you’re excelling in them. For non-IB students, generally lesser AP classes can accomplish the same goal. Admissions reviewers are aware that non-IB students do not have APs built into their curriculums.
Placeholder for image: A student confidently balancing books labeled with AP subjects, symbolizing balance and strategic course selection.
How APs Affect Your GPA and Class Rank
One of the major perks of taking AP courses is the potential GPA boost. Most high schools use a weighted GPA system, meaning AP courses are worth more than regular classes. For example, while an “A” in a regular class might be worth 4.0 points, an “A” in an AP course could be worth 5.0 points.
Boosting Your GPA
Taking AP courses can significantly raise your GPA, making you more competitive for Ivy League schools. Since admissions officers at these schools evaluate you in the context of your high school, taking advantage of AP courses can help you stand out among your peers. However, a high GPA from AP courses isn’t enough on its own—you need to show that you can handle the course material as well.
Stat: According to the College Board, students who take AP courses and exams are more likely to graduate from college in four years compared to their peers【source needed】.
Impact on Class Rank
In some high schools, class rank is heavily influenced by the number of AP courses a student takes. Since AP courses carry more weight, students who take them are often ranked higher in their class, which can be an advantage during the college admissions process.
The Downside: Are AP Courses Always Worth It?
While AP courses can certainly help you stand out in the college admissions process, they’re not always the best choice for every student. Taking too many APs or selecting AP courses outside of your strengths can backfire, leading to lower grades and increased stress.
Here are a few potential downsides to consider:
- Increased workload: AP courses require significant time and effort. If you’re already balancing extracurriculars, part-time jobs, or personal commitments, overloading on APs can lead to burnout.
- Exam costs: Each AP exam costs around $97 in the U.S. (and potentially more for international students). This can add up quickly if you’re taking multiple AP courses. However, many schools offer fee reductions or waivers for students in need.
- Not all colleges accept AP credit: While many universities (including Ivy League schools) offer credit for high AP exam scores, not all institutions do. It’s important to research the AP policies at your target colleges to understand how much credit you could earn.
Pro Tip
Before deciding to take an AP course, ask yourself whether you’re genuinely interested in the subject, whether you have the time to commit to the workload, and whether the AP credit will help you in college.
How to Maximize the Benefits of AP Courses for Ivy League Admissions
Now that you know the pros and cons of AP courses, let’s talk about how to maximize their impact on your college application.
1. Focus on Your Passions
Admissions officers want to see students who are passionate about what they’re learning. Choose AP courses that align with your interests and intended major. For example, if you want to study engineering, AP Calculus and AP Physics should be a priority. If you’re interested in politics, take AP U.S. Government and AP World History.
2. Excel in the AP Exams
Scoring a 4 or 5 on your AP exams is important, especially if you’re applying to highly selective schools. Strong exam scores show admissions officers that you’ve mastered the material and are ready for college-level coursework.
3. Use AP Courses to Tell a Story
Your AP courses should complement the rest of your application. If you’re applying to study biology, taking AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Environmental Science shows that you’ve built a strong academic foundation in the sciences. Use your AP courses to create a cohesive narrative about your academic journey.
4. Don’t Sacrifice Extracurriculars
While AP courses are important, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Make sure you’re balancing your academics with meaningful extracurricular activities. Colleges value well-rounded students who can excel both in the classroom and beyond.
Conclusion: Are AP Courses Worth It for Ivy League Admissions?
In the end, AP courses can play a crucial role in your college admissions journey—especially if you’re aiming for Ivy League schools. They demonstrate that you’ve challenged yourself academically, mastered college-level material, and are ready to succeed in a rigorous academic environment.
However, it’s important to be strategic about which APs you take. Focus on quality over quantity, prioritize subjects that align with your interests and intended major, and make sure you maintain balance with your extracurricular activities.
Call to Action: Our incubator program offers personalized guidance to help students navigate AP course selection and build a standout profile for Ivy League admissions. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you make the most of your high school experience and achieve your college goals.
Placeholder for image: A confident student holding AP textbooks, smiling and looking ready to take on the challenge of college admissions.
By taking a thoughtful and strategic approach, you can use AP courses to strengthen your college application and boost your chances of getting into the Ivy League.
