Today’s high school students have more options than ever before when it comes to class choice. From IB to AP to honors classes, high schools try hard to provide the types of options that set their students up for success. And with the rise of magnet and charter schools, there’s even ways to specialize in a specific pre-college track before you start your university career.
However, this can lead to a tricky question of choice. There’s only so many hours in the day, and you can’t take everything! Part of class choice is setting yourself up for success and making yourself look appealing to college admissions committees. If you’re a student with strong STEM abilities and are considering any type of engineering as a major, the strength of your high school curriculum can help you stand out, especially if you’re interested in a highly selective program. Today, let’s take a look at the AP classes that are best for students with an interest in engineering.
AP Physics: Which One?
One of the most obvious choices for a future engineer is AP Physics. However, you need to be thoughtful about which version of the class you take! There are four AP Physics courses, two that are algebra based and two that are calculus based. Physics concepts form the backbone of several engineering fields, particularly mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering. Taking AP physics and doing well on the exam may help you with your prerequisites, but many engineering programs will only accept the AP Physics C options.
AP Physics 1 and 2 are the two parts of the algebra-based courses. These courses cover topics like Newtonian mechanics and basic electrical circuits. It’s a solid option for students who want an introduction to physics but aren’t yet comfortable with calculus-based material. But AP Physics C, which also has two parts (Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism) aligns better with the coursework that most engineering programs require. AP Physics C provides a deeper understanding of how mathematics applies to physical systems, so many universities prefer it.
AP Calculus
Mathematics plays a central role in every branch of engineering, making AP Calculus one of the most beneficial courses for future engineering students. There’s no way around it– if you want to be an engineer, you need to be comfortable with calculus, and taking AP Calculus is a great way to prepare for the difficult upper-level math you’ll need for your major.
Like with AP Physics, AP Calculus has two versions. Both AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC introduce key concepts like derivatives, integrals, and differential equations, which are essential in fields ranging from mechanical to electrical engineering. AP Calculus BC covers more advanced material and can provide a more comprehensive background, especially for students planning to study disciplines like aerospace or civil engineering. You cannot take both of them in the same year, and you don’t have to take them in sequence– in fact, many students skip AB entirely if their high school offers both AB and BC. Most colleges that accept AP scores will offer credit for both AB and BC, which can let you skip one or even two semesters of calculus and move on to higher math earlier.
AP Computer Science A
There are two AP Computer Science Courses, AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles. Computer programming has become an important skill across many branches of engineering. AP Computer Science A introduces students to coding in Java and covers fundamental programming concepts, such as algorithms and object-oriented programming. This course is particularly valuable for students interested in computer engineering, software engineering, or electrical engineering.
AP Computer Science Principles provides a broader introduction to computing, and does not go as deep into coding. This means that fewer colleges accept engineering credits for Computer Science Principles. While both classes look great on a transcript, Computer Science A is likely to be more valuable from a credit perspective.
AP Chemistry
Chemistry is less universal for engineering students, but if you’re considering any kind of chemical, biomedical, environmental, or materials engineering, this course is highly beneficial. AP Chemistry covers topics like atomic structure, thermodynamics, and chemical reactions, all of which play an essential role in these fields. Colleges often offer credit for AP Chemistry, but some programs may still require students to take an introductory chemistry course to ensure they understand the material in a more applied, engineering-specific context.
AP Biology
Another course that’s worth considering is AP Biology. Students interested in biomedical or environmental engineering should definitely take this one. The course covers topics such as genetics, cellular processes, and ecosystems, which can provide helpful background knowledge for these specialized fields. What’s more, AP Biology is one of the most widely accepted AP classes for general education requirements. If you score well on this exam, you can knock out a science credit before you even start at university, which frees up more time for your major-specific classes.
AP English Language and Composition
Obviously, AP STEM courses are important for engineering– but if you have access to AP English Language and Composition, you should take it. Why? Two major reasons. First, almost 2100 colleges accept it for credit, and that means more time for your major. Secondly, engineering isn’t just about engineering. AP English Language and Composition can improve your communication skills, which is a frequently overlooked but essential part of engineering. Engineers frequently write technical reports, proposals, and research papers, making strong writing skills an asset in any field.
Knowing My School’s AP Policies
Every college has different policies related to AP classes and exams. Some schools will accept AP for general education requirements but not major requirements; other schools will accept your credits for 100 level classes in your major, but not upper level classes. Some schools don’t accept any AP classes at all, and others take some but not others. You should always check each individual institution’s AP policy page, but for general information, the College Board (the organization that runs the AP program) has a course checker available here. Curious about the classes we’ve discussed? Here’s a list of how many schools accept them!
- AP Physics 1:1749 schools
- AP Physics 2: 1697 schools
- AP Physics C – Mechanics: 1890 schools
- AP Physics C – Electricity and Magnetism: 1849 schools
- AP Calculus AB: 2106 schools
- AP Calculus BC: 2077 schools
- AP Computer Science A: 1865 schools
- AP Computer Science Principles: 1368 schools
- AP Chemistry: 2083 schools
- AP Biology: 2087 schools
- AP English Language and Composition: 2097 schools
Other Considerations for Pre-Engineering Students
AP classes are a great way to boost your profile with college admissions counselors. Good grades and high AP test scores show off your talents and can count for both general education and major prerequisites, letting you move on to more interesting and useful upper-level courses sooner. But they’re not the only thing that college admissions looks at, so if your school doesn’t offer a lot of APs, don’t panic. You can still demonstrate your academic potential through high grades in standard courses, a strong suite of extracurricular activities, and of course, great standardized test scores.
No matter what classes your high school offers, everyone has the same opportunity to succeed on a standardized test– that’s what makes them standardized. And standardized tests aren’t just about your knowledge; they’re about your ability to solve problems, work through equations, and function under pressure. In other words, they’re a way for you to show off the skills you’ll need to succeed in higher levels of education. And because test taking is a skill, it’s something you can learn and practice.
Here at Prep Expert, we can help you develop these skills. When you take one of our SAT or ACT prep courses, you gain access to the best of the best at standardized tests; all of our expert teachers are in the top 1% of test scorers. We also offer subject tutoring for AP classes, helping you stand out and get into your dream schools. See what other students just like you have to say about our offerings, and sign up today to start your path towards academic success!
