What is better (in HS): To take easier classes and get A's, or hard classes and get B's?

Question

I am aiming to get into a really good college, my list includes several Ivy League schools.

I am going to be a sophomore this fall.

Should I take easier classes and be almost guaranteed A's, or take APs and risk getting a B?

The "easier" classes aren't EASY, they include trigonometry, advanced chemistry, etc.. they're not easy classes, albeit not as rigorous as the AP courses.

What should I do? I have very conflicted feelings. Would a college rather accept a student who took challenging (but not AP) classes and got A's, or accept a student who took all the AP classes available at their school and got B's?

Answer 1

it depends on how many classes you take, now how hard.

Answer 2

take harder classes and get b's it look better on ur appliction 4 college

Answer 3

AP classes and risk gettin a B because it will look better on your college application and it will show that you are open to challenges

Answer 4

Take a mixture take some high honors or some honors and then some AP. Those are the ranks at my school there are college classes, which are the lowest and the average person takes, then honors which is mostly the same work just a lot  and faster pace, high honors which is harder work and then AP which is very challenging.  I take honors and high honors and get all A's but next year when I'm i senior I'm going to take half AP. And you could really work your butt off in AP classes and try and get those A's but I know its hard to do but that's what it takes if you want to go to an Ivy league school.

Answer 5

a B in an AP class is equivalent to an A in normal classes. They both effect ur GPA in the same way. But id take AP is i were you. colleges like it better and theres a chance u might get an A.  

Answer 6

What you can do is start by taking a few AP classes you think you may do well in and secure A's. Take other regular(not necessarily easy classes) and get A's as well. Not all subjects offer AP classes as far as I know. Since you will be entering your sophomore you can take say 2-3 AP classes and the rest be regular classes. Then if you can handle this, take more AP classes your junior year and senior year. One thing I found is that colleges pay closer attention to your sophomore and junior year classes and grades. This not may completely true, but you may want to consider this.

One thing you want to show college admission committees is that you can handle the work and secondly that you can do good. Don't go for the extremes, try to secure the A's, and don't forget to do other things ,for example, some extra-curricular activities in your agenda. Good luck!

Answer 7

Take the AP class and get A's.

If anything happens, take the course for the knowledge, the information you will get. You can take a regular course, get a bad teacher and end up with a bad grade anyway.

When in doubt, go for quality. Aim high. Stretch yourself. The knowledge will stand you in good stead longer than the grades will.

Answer 8

AP

Answer 9

In general, it's better to challenge yourself with the more difficult classes.  If you're capable of getting A's in the regular classes, there really isn't any reason you shouldn't be able to get an A in the harder class.  If you really want to get into an elite school, get used to putting in the extra work now.  I'm not talking about giving up your life to get straight A's, but this is the time to learn how to study better rather than harder.  Be aware, that even A's in the honors classes is no guaranteed path to Harvard, make sure you get a lot out of high school, make friends, join organizations and/or sports teams and have fun.