Should I Take AP Classes?

Considering whether to take AP (Advanced Placement) classes is a key concern for many high school students. These rigorous courses allow students to earn college credit and possibly skip some general course requirements in college. AP courses are offered in a variety of subjects — including English, science, social studies, math, computer science, and many foreign languages. The classes cover more than normal high school courses, exploring complex topics and requiring a significant amount of work outside of class — much like college courses.

Given these facts, students might ask, “Do I need to take a lot of AP courses?” The answer to that question depends on several factors. Highly selective colleges may encourage prospective students to take AP courses, but those who take fewer APs can still qualify for top schools. AP classes do carry extra weight with colleges, but how much varies by institution. Also, other factors for admission are considered when differentiating between similar candidates — including GPA, SAT and ACT scores, strong essays, and impressive extracurricular activities.

What are the Advantages of AP Classes?

High-performing students can benefit greatly from AP classes because they provide a much-needed challenge. In addition, many colleges give credit for AP classes. This means that students can skip some lower-level college courses and move towards meeting the requirements for a major faster, possibly helping them graduate earlier. There is also a financial advantage, as completing these courses ahead of time can help save a significant amount of money on college tuition. Most importantly, AP classes help prepare students for the rigors of college work — one of the main advantages schools consider when reviewing applications for admission.

How and When Should AP Test Scores Be Reported?

AP test scores are self-reported on college applications, so students can choose which scores to include and which to withhold. The College Board will not share scores with a school if a student does not wish them to be submitted. But the student, educators in the school and district (including AP teachers), student-designated colleges and universities, and scholarship programs will automatically receive test scores if requested once they become available.

Deciding which test scores to include with a college application can be tricky. Typically, it is recommended that any tests in which a score of five is achieved should be reported. While a four is also considered to be impressive, highly selective schools are almost always looking for scores of five when looking to set candidates apart. However, a four does indicate a relatively strong understanding of the material and should be reported to less selective schools. At these institutions, a variety of fours and fives will set students apart. It is important to note that admissions officers may expect to see superior results on certain tests if the student has declared a major in a specific area of study.

Students can still be admitted to a good school with an AP score of three. However, threes are generally not impressive enough to give students an edge and can actually have a negative impact on an application. They are best left off when self-reporting scores.

While admissions committees review self-reported AP scores, it is important to remember that the entire application will be evaluated. The scores might not be as crucial as other parts of the application, but they can distinguish students and assist committees in selecting between applicants.

What Should Be Considered Before Enrolling in an AP Class?

While taking AP courses can boost chances for college admission, there are several factors to consider before enrolling in a class. Students who enjoy learning and challenging themselves will likely find success in AP classes. But students who struggle with grades and/or find school more difficult may find some AP classes to be overwhelming.

Deciding which classes to take is often difficult. However, students should start with subjects in which they have experienced success in the past — those with which they already have a certain level of knowledge. They should also carefully consider their course load each semester when deciding how many and which classes to take. Taking too many AP classes at once can have detrimental effects on students, causing them to get frustrated and experience burnout. This, in turn, can affect their GPA, as well as the student’s mental health. AP classes do require extra time and effort, so students will need to learn how to balance extracurricular activities, honors courses, jobs, and any other responsibilities outside of the AP coursework. Developing good time management skills and study habits required for success in these challenging classes will ultimately help prepare students for more rigorous college courses ahead.

For more information about AP classes, including planning and selection, contact us. At Moxie College Counseling, our highly qualified college counselors will guide you through the process and help your student make the best course decisions.