Shop around for a course that will give you academics and as many dives as possible. YMCA's Silver Advanced is an example of what I mean. It is an excellent course that will take you through different experiences and turn you into a much better diver. You'll learn the theory and practice of advanced diving while in class and while making the required 10 dives. OTOH, YMCA's AOW course isn't worth taking. It's merely 5 dives with very limited academics. I refuse to teach that class and I don't recommend similar courses from other agencies either.
While you can take your Advanced class right out of OW, you'll get more out of it if you make approximately 25 dives between OW and the start of your advanced course.
While you can take your Advanced class right out of OW, you'll get more out of it if you make approximately 25 dives between OW and the start of your advanced course.