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Is this a good AP load?

Hello, I am a junior in high school wanting to apply as a Political Science major.
I've already taken:
- AP World History
- APUSH
- AP Psychology
- AP English Literature and Composition
and am planning on taking
- AP Government
- AP Macro
- AP Micro
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP Physics 1 (Not testing)

Can you guys tell me if this is a good AP load to have for applications? Thank you!

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Samantha’s Answer

Hi Griffin. You’re taking on quite a few AP courses, and that’s impressive! It’s important to choose a mix of classes that set you up for success. It’s better to have a few high scores than many lower ones. Focus on the subjects you enjoy and feel confident about, and maybe add one or two challenging APs. You’re ambitious, and I believe you’ll do great. Good luck!
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Anuj’s Answer

Yes, this is an excellent AP load for a future Political Science major.Your schedule shows high academic rigor while strategically aligning with your intended major. Here is a brief, genuine breakdown of why this works and how to optimize it:Why Your Senior Year Load is StrongThe "Trifecta" for PoliSci: Taking AP Gov, AP Macro, and AP Micro in the same year is the ultimate combination for Political Science. Public policy and government decisions are deeply tied to economics, and admissions officers love to see applicants who understand both.The AP Lang Switch: Taking AP Lit as a junior and AP Lang as a senior is highly beneficial. AP Lang focuses heavily on rhetoric, persuasion, and non-fiction writing—the exact writing style you will use every day in Political Science.The Physics Strategy: Smart MoveNot taking the AP Physics 1 exam is a perfectly fine strategy because:It shows colleges you are still challenging yourself with a rigorous lab science in your senior year.It saves you from wasting time studying for a difficult STEM exam that won't give you credits toward a Political Science degree anyway. Focus that energy on getting $4$s or $5$s on Gov and Econ.The One Thing to Double-CheckSince you have already taken AP US History (APUSH) and AP World, your social science foundations are flawless. The only tiny gap is Math.If your school offers AP Statistics, consider swapping it for Physics or adding it if possible. Political Science heavily relies on data, polling, and demographics. Having AP Stats on your transcript is a massive bonus for social science applicants.Overall, your course load is highly competitive and well-tailored. Keep your grades up in these classes, and your transcript will look great to admissions offices!
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Anuj’s Answer

Your path will become clearer when you start taking action rather than waiting for certainty. Try a short internship, contribute to an open project, or shadow someone in a field you are considering. Practical experience is the fastest way to find the right direction.
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Martha D.’s Answer

Hi Griffin - you have taken an impressive number of AP courses so far. They do demonstrate intellectual curiosity and the willingness to challenge yourself. Both of these traits are important for college admissions, especially to more competitive schools. As for getting college credit or being able to skip introductory classes in college because of APs, you typically would need a score of "3" or above.
It looks to me as if you want to take 5 AP courses in Senior year (unless AP Micro and AP Macro are both half-year courses). That sounds like a lot with the college application process. Since you don't plan to test for AP Physics, and it isn't related to your intended major, I would suggest dropping that down to Honors or maybe even the normal class.
Wishing you good luck!
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Connor’s Answer

Hi Griffin! Hope you’re doing well. As a former political science graduate and someone who has worked on multiple political campaigns, I wanted to say congratulations on the impressive number of AP classes you’ve already taken, and best of luck with the ones you plan to take in the future. The short answer to your question is yes, your current AP coursework will absolutely help you stand out as a competitive applicant. AP classes demonstrate that you can handle rigorous coursework while balancing the demands of high school life. That said, AP classes are only one part of a strong application. If you haven’t already, I’d also encourage you to get involved outside the classroom. Volunteer with local offices or campaigns, join student organizations, or even start a project of your own. Activities like these show colleges that you can successfully balance challenging academics with real-world responsibilities and leadership experiences, which can make you stand out even more. I also agree with Martha’s point regarding AP Physics. If you do not plan to take the AP exam, and since physics is not especially relevant to political science, it may make sense to switch into Honors Physics or another course. Statistics, either AP or honors, would be an excellent option in my opinion, since statistics is one of the most commonly used forms of math in political science programs. Wishing you all the best!
Thank you comment icon great answer Kumar Rishav
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