If I don't take AP english will it ruin my transcript?

don't take the AP english but work on other areas of your application to make you more competitive when the time comes. not necessarily a johnny-come-lately last minute club, but a real interest or pion you have, something that sets you apart (ot at least puts you in the lague of the "have a life" group in a creative way; ie, how can you diversify the pool of freshmen and/or add to the atmosphere there? do you have someting you shine in that you can spin (albeit honestly) the right way? can you look like more than an egghead or the typical high-achieving person and seem like someone really interesting, too? maybe some volunteer work using spanish in an area you genuinely care about that will highlight your facility with the langugage and people who use it? read the stuff written by admissions officers that shows up on big tables at barnes and noble at high-stress times of year for juniors....don't risk a lowered gpa for something that might drive you crazy with wtress and worry.