Combining AP with Regular Classes?

Balancing AP and regular classes requires careful planning to maintain a strong GPA while demonstrating academic rigor for competitive universities like NYU and UCLA. The ideal mix typically includes 3-4 AP classes alongside regular courses in your senior year, focusing on subjects that align with your intended college major and academic strengths.

When selecting your course load, prioritize AP classes in core subjects where you've previously excelled. For example, if you're strong in mathematics and planning to study engineering, taking AP Calculus would be more valuable than AP Art History. This strategic approach shows admissions officers that you're challenging yourself while maintaining academic success.

Consider your entire schedule when planning your course mix. AP classes demand significantly more study time and homework compared to regular courses. A balanced schedule might include AP classes spread throughout the day, rather than clustering them together, allowing you to mentally shift between different intensity levels. This scheduling strategy helps prevent burnout and maintains consistent academic performance.

Your extracurricular commitments should also factor into your decision. If you're involved in leadership positions, sports, or other time-intensive activities, you might want to limit yourself to fewer AP courses. Top universities like NYU and UCLA value well-rounded students who excel both inside and outside the classroom, so maintaining this balance is crucial for your application.

Remember that selective universities prefer seeing excellent grades in a moderate number of AP courses rather than average performance in many AP classes. The key is demonstrating that you can handle challenging coursework while maintaining strong academic performance across all your classes, both AP and regular.