Strategic Steps to Success
AP® Courses and SAT® Scores for Your Dream College Major in the Humanities

Signing up for AP® courses can significantly impact your college experience by helping you prepare for college-level coursework. You can also potentially earn college credits by getting good scores on the AP exams. Ensuring that your choices align with your intended major can give you an added boost by making you a more competitive candidate for your chosen area of study. Whether you're passionate about pursuing literature, English, history, or philosophy, tailoring your AP courses to your interests will give you a head start and boost your chances of college success.

In this post, we’ll list the best AP courses to enhance your college application if you're considering a major in the humanities, which includes disciplines that examine facets of human society, literature, and culture. We'll also look at the 2022 average SAT® scores of students who wanted to pursue a humanities major. This will give you an understanding of your target SAT or digital SAT score. But first, let's start by understanding how AP courses in the humanities can benefit your future career prospects.

Why is it Important to Choose the Right AP Course?

1. Advanced Knowledge and Skills

   Most college majors require specific educational backgrounds and skill sets, and good AP scores in relevant subjects indicate your ability to excel in those fields. It will also guide you as you establish attainable academic and career objectives while developing a well-defined plan to achieve them.

2. Targeted College Credit and Placement

   By choosing the right AP courses, you're using your time and money wisely on specific AP exams. This helps you get college credit and placement for your chosen major. It's like setting a clear path for your future job without overwhelming yourself by taking too many AP courses and getting stressed out.

3. Foundation for Graduate Studies

   Because AP courses are rigorous and standardized, they equip you with transferable skills to help you in multiple subjects and college majors. These skills provide you with a solid foundation for college and are crucial for a well-rounded education. Good AP scores in core subjects can benefit you even if you’re unsure about your major yet and want to stay flexible.

4. Competitive Advantage in College Admissions

   When you've got good scores in AP courses that match your future college major, your application will stand out to the college admissions committee. This gives you an edge over other students when applying to college.

Do colleges and universities value AP courses in the humanities?

Absolutely! Colleges and universities really appreciate AP courses in the humanities. These courses show that you're challenging yourself and taking on more advanced material in history, literature, and art. It demonstrates your dedication and readiness for college-level work. Plus, it can give you a head start in your chosen field. So, taking AP courses in the humanities can make your college application stand out and show that you're up for the academic rigors of higher education.

Percentage of Students Interested in the Humanities

According to the College Board, more than 64% of the AP exams in 2022 were for humanities courses like English and social sciences. Among these, the AP English Language exam was the most popular, with over 520,000 students having taken it. This data shows a strong interest among students in pursuing subjects like English and social sciences in college.

This continued interest is also reflected in the number of undergraduate degrees awarded during the 2020–2021 school year. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) tells us that in the 2020–2021 school year, around 3.1 million students got their undergraduate degrees. Of these, degrees in liberal arts, history, social sciences, and psychology were among the most common, with around 688,000 degrees awarded. That's a whopping 22% of all the degrees earned!

Now, you might ask, “Why is it important to understand the level of student interest in the humanities?” First, understanding student preferences fosters a tailored education, successful graduates, and departmental prestige. Colleges that offer customized programs are often seen as more student-focused and innovative. That's why some colleges are reputed for being excellent in the humanities, while others are renowned for STEM or business. Second, knowing student interests helps colleges allocate financial resources effectively, investing in faculty and facilities that enhance learning experiences and help students retain more information. When educational institutions align with student preferences, they enhance the quality of education, providing a more comprehensive learning experience. Tailoring education to student interests improves the overall educational quality by promoting successful graduation rates from specific departments and elevating their academic standing and reputation.

So, how can student interests impact admissions? Since humanities majors typically have high graduation rates, these programs are likely to be well-equipped with faculty and other facilities that improve academic success. When a certain department or major gains a strong reputation, it attracts potential students with the promise of academic excellence. This surge in interest results in what is commonly referred to as an "impacted major." In the case of an impacted major, there are more qualified students who apply than can be accepted into that program. While the acceptance rates for impacted majors tend to be lower than others, these more competitive programs grant you access to high-achieving peer groups, ample resources, and accomplished instructors. These advantages can boost your career options after graduation because you’ll complete your degree with a strong network of contacts and a strong academic foundation.

Related Career Options for Students Interested in the Humanities

The humanities is a wide field of study and offers many possibilities for career paths, especially because of its largely interdisciplinary nature. So, if you’re planning to major in the humanities, here’s a list of possible career options you could consider: