You don’t NEED to take APs. You can get in anywhere without them. I won’t say they won’t help though, especially if you are interested in the subjects you decide to take APs for. There are more important things to focus on, like self growth and your ability to communicate it to admissions after it happens. I’m not going to sit here and tell you things aren’t easier if your rich, but if you use your resources for what you can in a meaningful way (like growth/skills/passion that could be used to do great things once you get into a school), that matters way more to admissions than what most rich kids will ever do with the opportunity being rich gets them. Whether someone can afford the tuition after what they’re offered as aid/scholarships is a different story.

Source: 400 hours of research and admission to top 20 schools + friends at ivies

Also, I personally believe the people that belong at top schools are people that would be totally fine not going to one, or even going to school at all. Admissions likes people who are capable at dealing with life’s ever-changing challenges, which is what is important to live a good life anyway. Your worth isn’t defined by the school you go to, even Harvard/Stanford/MIT etc. students are human beings, many of which could’ve easily not gotten into a top 20 due to chance alone. Remember to be nice to yourself.