More AP or academic elective?

Question

I'll be a senior this year and am already taking 4 AP classes. I have the opportunity to take an "elective" class on law and policy, which is within my interests, that would count for 2 class credits or I could take 2 more AP classes instead (in which case my schedule would be full with AP, which I'm wary of). I'm mostly worried about the effect when applying to college. Do you think the elective would detract from or benefit my college application? Or would the AP classes be better?

Answer 1

   Take the elective class! With all those AP classes, you need to take a break! AP classes would only get you so far because, depending on college's policy on transferring those AP credits, they either take them or don't them at all! Stick to what interest you and who knows it might be your future career some day.  

Answer 2

It's much better to not over fill you AP schedule and do well in those classes than take as many as possible and let your grades slip. Your college probably won't see those grades when you apply, but even after you get in, they see your transcripts and can take back your admission.

If there is room on your application to mention that you took the elective class because it's in your interests, that would be great. Either way, I'd go with the class you want to take. I don't know what colleges you are applying too or if they have different expectations, but I only took 4 AP classes throughout my whole 4 years in high school and got into UC Berkeley.

Especially because more colleges are doing a comprehensive review, 2 extra AP classes probably won't make that much of a difference, unless you hear otherwise from a source that is knowledgeable about the university you want to apply to.