Which AP Subjects Should You Take for US College Admissions?

You’ve probably heard some version of this advice: “Take as many APs as possible if you want Top 20s.”

But the real question isn’t how many APs you can stack, it’s which APs best support your story without tanking your grades, time, or sanity.

Because in US admissions, your transcript still does most of the talking. NACAC’s admissions research consistently shows that grades and the strength/rigor of a student’s course load weigh more heavily than test scores in admission decisions. 

So let’s turn to “Which APs should I take?” into a decision framework you can actually use.

First, what APs are “available”?

College Board currently lists 40 AP subjects, grouped across disciplines like English, history/social sciences, math & computer science, sciences, arts, and world languages. 

That’s a lot, so the goal isn’t to chase everything. The goal is to pick APs that signal:

1. Academic readiness for your intended major, and
2. A balanced, credible curriculum (especially if you’re aiming for selective colleges)

The mistake students make: picking APs like a “difficulty leaderboard”

Some students pick APs based on what sounds impressive, what friends are taking, or which one is easiest to score a 5 in.

Experts recommend:  choose APs based on what you’re interested in and what you already do well in, and make sure you’re prepared for the level.

Also, there’s no single “right number” of APs. Students should find the right balance with their counselor/teachers. 

So instead of chasing a number, build a portfolio. 

MIT Admissions has said it clearly: “There is no minimum or recommended number of AP courses.”

The 4-part method to choose the right AP subjects

1) Start with your likely major bucket

Even if you’re not 100% sure, most students have a direction: STEM, business/econ, liberal arts/social sciences, pre-med-ish, or undecided.

Pick 2 to 4 APs that act like a direct bridge to that bucket.

2) Build your core rigor spine

Selective US colleges like seeing that you didn’t avoid the hard basics. A strong spine usually includes:

• Math (often calculus or statistics, depending on your path)
• Strong writing/reading (often AP English Language or AP English Literature)
• A lab science (for STEM and pre-med)
• A social science/history (for business/liberal arts, and honestly, for most applicants)

This doesn’t mean you must take all of these as APs. It means you should show rigor in these areas somehow- AP, IB, advanced school curriculum, etc.

Harvard’s guide mentions: “By taking the most academically demanding courses you can find, you can improve both your chance of admission to a selective college and your performance during the first years of college.”

3) Add one signal AP that differentiates you

This is the one that makes an admissions reader go: “Okay, this student is genuinely invested in this track.”

Examples:

• Future CS? AP Computer Science A
• Engineering? AP Physics / Chem 
• Future econ/business? AP Microeconomics / AP Macroeconomics
• Future policy? AP Comparative Government / AP US Government
• Future psych/neuro? AP Psychology
• Future design/architecture? AP Art & Design / AP Art History

4) Reality-check workload and prerequisites

Before you lock in your AP list, do a quick readiness check. Some AP subjects assume you’ve already covered certain foundations (for example, prior math/science coursework or strong writing skills). If you jump in without that base, the class can become needlessly stressful and your grades may take a hit.

A smart AP plan is one you can sustain while still keeping:

• strong grades (most important)
  
• meaningful extracurricular depth
  
• enough time for rest and consistency (so you don’t burn out mid-year)
  

Recommended AP subjects by pathway

Below are high-signal AP choices by intended direction. Don’t treat these as mandatory checklists, treat them as strong building blocks.

A) STEM applicants (Engineering / CS / Data / Math-heavy majors)

Best “core” APs

• AP Calculus AB or BC
• AP Physics (choice depends on your preparation: Physics 1/2 or Physics C)
• AP Chemistry (especially for engineering/chemical/materials)
• AP Computer Science A (stronger programming signal than Principles)

Strong add-ons (depending on major)

• AP Statistics (excellent for CS/data/econ crossover)
• AP Biology (good for bioengineering, biotech interests)
• AP Environmental Science (useful for sustainability/environment tracks)

Simple combo examples

• CS hopeful: Calc + CS A + Stats (+ Physics if possible)
• Engineering hopeful: Calc + Physics + Chemistry (or another science)

B) Business / Economics / Finance applicants

Business isn’t a single AP subject, so your job is to show quant strength + analytical thinking + writing clarity.

Best “core” APs

• AP Microeconomics
• AP Macroeconomics
• AP Statistics
• AP Calculus AB/BC (especially for econ/finance-heavy programs)
• AP English Language and Composition (great for argument + clarity)

Strong add-ons

• AP Psychology (consumer behavior angle if you talk about it well)
• AP US Government / Comparative Government (policy/regulation angle)
• AP Computer Science Principles or AP CS A (useful if you’re leaning analytics/product)

Simple combo examples

• Econ-focused: Micro + Macro + Calc + Stats
• Business/management-focused: Micro or Macro + Stats + English Lang (+ Gov/Psych as a story add-on)

C) Liberal Arts / Humanities / Social Sciences applicants

Liberal arts applicants sometimes underplay rigor. Don’t. Your rigor just looks different: it’s depth in reading, writing, analysis, and context.

Best “core” APs

• AP English Language (argument + non-fiction writing)
• AP English Literature (heavy reading + analysis)
• AP World History: Modern / AP European History / AP US History
• AP Psychology
• AP Art History (surprisingly strong for humanities applicants)

Strong add-ons

• AP Comparative Government / AP US Government
• AP Human Geography (great earlier AP for many students)
• AP foreign languages (if you genuinely have strength here)

Simple combo examples

• Political science/policy: English Lang + Gov + History (World/US/Euro)
• Psychology: Psych + Stats (yes, stats!) + English Lang

D) Pre-med / Bio / Health sciences (not the same as engineering STEM)

Best “core” APs

• AP Biology
• AP Chemistry
• AP Calculus AB or AP Statistics (varies by student and target major)
• AP English Language (seriously useful for pre-med writing + reasoning)

Strong add-ons

• AP Psychology (pairs naturally with health interests)
• AP Physics (helpful depending on target major/school)

E) Undecided (still aiming competitive colleges)

If you’re undecided, your job is to show you didn’t avoid challenges and that you’re exploring thoughtfully.

A balanced, safe-strong set:

• One math AP (Stats or Calc)
• One English AP (Lang is often the most broadly useful)
• One science or one history
• One “interest AP” (Psych, Econ, CS Principles, Art History, whatever matches you)

College Board also points out that AP can be taken in any grade if you’re ready, and that certain APs are commonly taken earlier (like Human Geography). 

Real-world examples (what “smart selection” looks like)

Student A (STEM, but realistic)

An applicant aiming for CS had the option to overload (4 APs in one year), but their grades started slipping. They scaled to a cleaner plan: AP Calculus + AP CS A + AP Statistics, kept grades strong, and used extracurricular projects to prove depth.
Result: their transcript looked intentional, not chaotic.

Student B (Business/Econ, with a story)

A student interested in economics added AP Micro + AP Macro, paired it with AP English Lang (for argument writing), and did a small research project around pricing/consumer behavior, so the APs matched the narrative.

What about AP scores? Do they matter for admissions?

AP Exams are scored 1 to 5, and the score gives a recommendation level for college credit/placement, but each college decides what it accepts. 

• AP course grades impact your transcript directly.
• AP exam scores can strengthen your profile and may help with placement/credit, depending on the college.

If you’re taking APs primarily for admissions, prioritize doing well in the class first, then plan exam prep strategically.

If you’re taking AP from India (or outside the US)

Even if your school doesn’t offer AP classes, you can still take AP Exams by registering through an authorized AP test center (many centers accept self-study/independent students). 

Below is a list of cities with authorized AP test centers with links once registration information is available.

For 2026, AP Exams will be administered over three weeks in May: May 4-8 and May 11-15 for Regular Testing, and May 18-22 for Late Testing if students cannot test during the first two weeks of May.

It’s best to plan your subject choices and registration early – and we recommend that students spend at least 3 to 4 months prior to prepare for the AP tests. 

Also, a final perspective check: the average student takes about 3 AP exams across their high school years, so you don’t need a double-digit AP count for your plan to look credible.

If you’d like help choosing the right AP mix (and building a US application strategy around it), LilacBuds supports students through AP classes and 1:1 US admissions consulting.

Talk to an expert