Why are AP classes important?

[Jackie in NE]

I'm new at this high school stuff. My oldest dd is 13, going into 8th grade next year.... And in looking ahead, I see that our current tracks will lead her into several "AP" courses. Why are these necessary or desirable?

When I went to high school (many moons ago:001_smile:), there was no such thing as "AP" classes. The larger High Schools had "Honors" classes. I was not in a large high school, so a few teachers tried to help me with "Independent Study" in English, History, etc. But all these classes did was keep me interested in school. There was no college level credit to be earned in High School.

Is the purpose of an AP class simply to gain college credit? If so, what is the rush? Are AP classes necessary to earn college scholarships?

Please enlighten me. I'm in the dark :001_huh:.

THANKS!

[JFS in IL]

If you score high enough on an AP course, you may earn college credit for it. That can save you paying the tuition to take that course in college. Plus, you may be able to move into a higher level, more interesting course in its place.

It proves you are ready and able to do college level work. The College Board has told our son's high school that the teachers have to submit course descriptions, etc. to the Board to get approval - if they are not approved, the College Board will not list that class at that school as being a guaranteed AP course. This is due in part to the increasing number of courses at many high schools being labeled Honors - colleges have NO IDEA if an honors course is truly worthy of the adjusted grade or not. Some colleges will no longer grant the extra point for an honors course. A College Board - approved AP course , colleges will KNOW it is what it is, and that it is worth the extra grade point.
Of course, a home schooler won't have that College Board course approval...but getting a 4 or 5 on the exam will still earn the college credit, and PROVE the home school student can handle the college level work.

If a student can handle the work, there is not good reason NOT to take an AP course and the exam that I can think of.

[Janet in WA]

Is the purpose of an AP class simply to gain college credit? If so, what is the rush? Are AP classes necessary to earn college scholarships?

Please enlighten me. I'm in the dark :001_huh:.

THANKS!Certainly one purpose is to (possibly) earn college credit. But another purpose is to strengthen the transcript for college admissions and scholarships.

[FloridaLisa]

But another purpose is to strengthen the transcript for college admissions and scholarships.

That's the primary reason my dc are doing AP courses. It seems several of the colleges they are looking at want to see some outside verification of rigor and competence --through SAT IIs or APs or dual enrollment. All three have their place.

Of course, a home schooler won't have that College Board course approval...but getting a 4 or 5 on the exam will still earn the college credit, and PROVE the home school student can handle the college level work.

There are approved on-line providers open to homeschoolers (Florida Virtual School, PA Homeschoolers, Scholars Online among others). Also, I'm in correspondence with the AP board and will be submitting paperwork for approval to teach an AP USGov class next fall. I think *theoretically* a homeschooling parent could obtain approval; I'll soon see if it works in practice. :001_smile:

Blessings,
Lisa

[Jane in NC]

I think *theoretically* a homeschooling parent could obtain approval; I'll soon see if it works in practice. :001_smile:

Blessings,
Lisa

Lisa,

If you gain approval, does this mean that you'll be able to administer the exam or will you still have to jump through hoops to have your student take the exam at a local school?

Thanks for paving the way for the rest of us. Good luck with the College Board.

Jane

[girligirlmom]

In 1983 I took two AP exams, American? History and English. I never took any other History in highschool besides 2 years of American History so I am guessing at the name of this exam.

I scored high enough on one (English - 5) that I was able to get credit for Expository Writing in College (RU). I did not scored well enough on American History (4) to get credit although I wonder if that varies by college or university.

My children are still young, but I do hope that they are able to take some AP courses that will lead them to the AP exams. This will look good to potential schools and may allow them to need less college coursework. I also hope that they either take some college coursework in highschool or take CLEP or other similar exams, also to fulfill their degree requirements sooner.

[Jackie in NE]

Plus, you may be able to move into a higher level, more interesting course in its place.

But another purpose is to strengthen the transcript for college admissions and scholarships.

These reasons make sense to me! And they lead me to ask my next question: should a student focus on AP classes in his/her field of interest? For example, my daughter excels in languages and reading comprehension. She LOVES (right now) history and philosophy. I know it is too soon to tell where her ultimate interests will lie, but assuming she stays the present course, should she then forego science and math AP courses for Latin and Humanities?

Thanks again!

[FloridaLisa]

Oh no, I won't be administering the exam! Especially since two of my own will be in the class. Our local school has worked with us so far in allowing ds to sit for exams in their school so that's what we'll continue to plan on. Thanks for the good wishes! It doesn't look too daunting, but what do I know? I'm probably heading into the world of administrivia extreme!

Lisa

[Linda in NM]

Well, I took AP classes in highschool; when I entered college, at 17, I was entered as a sophomore (since I had "tested out.") My mother, bless her, said "no way" and entered me as a freshman. I'm glad she did.

[LaJuana]

...to take AP courses in the disciplines that are *not* a student's planned major in college. That is because many colleges require majors in a discipline to take special introductory courses which are more challenging than their standard introductory courses. So, for example, the student who wants to major in biology may find that a good score on the AP Bio is a help in admissions and scholarship competition, but it will not allow him or her to place out of the freshman introductory biology course for majors, but will only give him "elective" credit. Otoh, if a student is moving toward the humanities, taking a science AP exam can help to meet basic educational core requirements and free the student to explore a more specialized science or to focus in on another area of interest.


The AP language exams seem beneficial for all students who plan to attend a college with a language requirement. Some colleges also give their own placement exam, but some place students in intermediate level courses based on the AP exam scores. Whether a good score on an AP language exam meets the language requirement for graduation from college varies by college. Some require more advanced language studies, and others allow the student's high AP language score to meet the language requirement fro graduation. If your child is interested in Latin and the humanities, I think Latin would be a great choice for an AP course. Since almost all colleges require English, I also think that the English Language and English Literature exams are great places to begin for those interested in humanities.

The AP European History and/or US History exams are other good choices. I have not heard of schools requiring special introductory courses for history majors, and again, most schools require a basic history course, this requirement could be bypassed with a good AP score. Often those basic courses are the more crowded and impersonal courses at larger colleges, too, so bypassing the intro course for a higher level course also can mean more personal attention from the professor and a more engaged student group in the class.

hth