With the school year about to begin, many people are wondering what classes/courses they should take. Continue reading to explore AP Courses based on your intended majors and career. AP courses are a great way to gain valuable life skills, a deeper understanding of your preferred subjects and just an overall amazing way to challenge yourself academically. While choosing AP courses, certain considerations need to be made, some of which we’re going to discuss below.

Published by: Mariam Umar

• Having a Potential Major In Mind:

   

  While you don’t have to have your whole life for the next ten years planned out, it doesn’t hurt to have at least an idea of what you want to do in the future. Having a couple of degree options ensures you can take classes that will help you in the future, and provide knowledge you can build upon.

• Knowing College Requirements:

• Once you have an idea of what major you want to pursue, you want to research course specific requirements at the colleges you intend to apply. Some colleges have specific requirements for general coursework as well as advanced classes that applicants need to fulfill before applying.

• Know Your Strengths:

• While you shouldn’t shy away from hard or unfamiliar things just because of the effort it takes to succeed at them, you should still consider your strengths and weaknesses when making a game plan. Take AP Classes in areas you’re confident about early on in the year. This would typically mean you spend less time studying the material and the extra time can be used to prepare for the harder classes you want to take as the year progresses.

• Balance your Schedule:

• AP Classes can be very demanding, requiring long study hours and consistent tests. Be sure to take care of yourself and have a set schedule for work and rest!

Now that all the tips are out of the way, let’s move on to popular majors and what AP Classes you should consider taking based on which one you want to pursue.

• Engineering: AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Physics 1/2/C, AP Computer Science Principles.
• Computer Science: AP Computer Science A/Principles, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Statistics.
• Biology: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science.
• Chemistry: AP Chemistry, AP Calculus AB, AP Physics 1.
• Mathematics: AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science A.
• Business: AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science Principles.
• Economics: AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB.
• Finance: AP Calculus AB, AP Statistics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics.
• History: AP European History, AP U.S. History, AP World History, AP Government and Politics.
• English: AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition.
• Psychology: AP Psychology, AP Statistics.
• Political Science: AP Government and Politics, AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics.
• Sociology: Statistics, Government and Politics, Psychology.
• Visual Arts: AP Studio Art (2D Design, AP 3D Design, Drawing), AP Art History.
• Music: AP Music Theory.
• Creative Writing/Other Literature Degrees: AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition.
•  Linguistics: AP World Language, AP Linguistics.

All of these are general requirements based on data across several sources. Be sure to look up college specific requirements, especially when applying to top schools. In addition, check to make sure that you’re fulfilling your school specific requirements as well. Don’t take classes you have no interest in, because unless you’re naturally good at it, you’ll end up with a bad grade on your resume. Instead of taking classes you think will look good on college applications, take classes you know you’ll enjoy and do well at.

If you take classes that spark no curiosity in you, and that you have no passion for, colleges can see through that, and that might hinder your chances at getting into your dream school. Lastly, make sure you have enough time to yourself to yourself while you’re working to avoid burnout. 

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