If you are a high school freshman already thinking about enrolling in AP classes, props to you! These are the types of academic decisions students make as they enter high school that can truly set them apart by senior year.
Read on for our top five tips and other advice for deciding which AP classes you should take freshman year.
Why AP Classes?
The original intent of Advanced Placement classes was to expose students at the high school level to more rigorous, collegiate coursework and content. Here are a few examples of AP course subjects that most high schools offer:
- AP Art History
- AP Biology
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Chemistry
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP Spanish Language
- AP U.S. Government & Politics
- AP U.S. History
- AP World History
AP students are able to take an AP exam at the end of the year and score from 1 (low) to 5 (high). Getting a high score on the AP exam for a certain subject can grant you college credit, which means you wouldn’t have to take that same course in college. This can save students time, and money, and give them some wiggle room to switch majors or even pursue a second degree.
Taking AP classes in high school also shows that students are willing to challenge themselves and keep up with a more competitive course structure. Therefore, be sure you only enroll in Advanced Placement courses if you are ready and willing to work at the level it requires. Receiving poor grades in these classes can affect your overall GPA. If you’re curious about the level of difficulty of different AP courses, check out this blog post ranking AP classes by their passage rates.
Which AP Classes are Best for Freshmen?
You may have wondered if there are even AP classes available to freshmen, and the answer is yes! While the number of available AP classes definitely increases as you move forward in high school, there are still opportunities for freshmen. According to the College Board, over one million 9th and 10th-grade students took AP courses in 2022. The courses that are the most popular with 9th and 10th graders are as follows:
- AP Human Geography
- AP World History: Modern
- AP European History
- AP Seminar
- AP Computer Science Principles
- AP World Language and Culture courses
- AP Pre-Calc (if offered)
Here’s a great video with a list of underclassman courses.
Most high schools also offer Pre-AP classes, which are just how they sound: courses designed to prepare younger students for the academic level of AP. This could be a great option if you want to ease into higher-level coursework. Take a look at your high school’s class offerings to see if this might be a good fit for you.
5 Best Practical Tips for Freshmen Interested in AP:
1. Speak with your high school counselor
This is a great first step, especially as a freshman looking to map out an advanced course schedule. Your high school counselor will be able to guide and inform you about which AP classes are offered to 9th graders at your specific school. They can also advise you based on the difficulty level of the AP teachers at your school, which can greatly affect your experience in the class.
Why is it so important to talk to YOUR counselor about AP classes? Each high school can have unique policies regarding AP classes, such as prerequisites, summer assignments, or additional study resources. Talk with teachers or other students to understand how different AP courses are structured and what specific expectations they have. Knowing what’s required upfront can help you choose AP classes that fit your learning style and schedule, making your freshman year smoother.
2. Use your freshman and sophomore years to focus on courses in your area of interest.
It is tempting in high school to just take every single AP course available and focus on which are the most competitive, but our Empowerly Admissions Officers advise students that colleges would rather see you pursuing your interests. Are you interested in art? Try Art History! When you focus on your passions and interests, you begin to craft a compelling story about who you are as a person, not just tally up your grades and test scores.
3. Don’t bite off more than you can chew! Stick to Pre-AP classes if that feels more manageable for you.
This is advice we are sure you’ve heard at some point, but it’s true! Don’t fall into the trap of taking on more than you can handle at a young age just because your peers are. At the end of the day, it’s better for your college application (and your mental health!) if you can maintain a high GPA in Pre-AP classes rather than overwhelm yourself with coursework and let your grades slip.
4. Always check the dates and deadlines for registration for your AP courses.
As a freshman in AP classes, you want to make sure you are staying on top of the important dates for AP tests. This is your first time juggling AP dates with other high school exams and activities, so be sure to mark your calendar! Here is a great resource detailing the 2025 AP Exam Schedule you can utilize.
5. Meet with a professional college counselor if you can, and the earlier the better!
Professional counselors, like our Former Admission Officers at Empowerly, can be a massive help when deciding what classes to take throughout high school. Creating a course map freshman year with an expert is a huge game-changer as you approach college admissions season.
Using data-driven technology and one-on-one consultation, our customized services help students choose their path to higher education and tell their unique story in the process.
Final thoughts for freshmen considering the AP curriculum
Prioritize self-care and manage stress effectively. Starting AP classes as a freshman is exciting but can also be overwhelming. Make time for activities that help you relax, like exercise, hobbies, or simply taking breaks during study sessions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling—whether it’s talking to a teacher, counselor, or friend. Learning to manage stress early on will help you stay balanced, maintain a positive outlook, and keep up your enthusiasm for learning.
If you want to continue this AP conversation, you can always talk to Empowerly. We love to help students make these tough choices about exams, courses, and what to prioritize. Our team spends on average 25x more time with students than the average high school counselor, and 98% of students who have worked with Empowerly and been accepted into Ivy League and top 25 schools. If you want to join that 98%, please feel free to book a free consultation with our Enrollment team. We are here to help walk you through every step of the way.
Madeleine Karydes
Julia de Raadt