Taking high school AP courses can help you stand out in the eyes of College Admissions departments and can help you prepare for the type of course work you will encounter in college. So should you jump in and apply for AP classes? Well, yes — but only if you feel that you WILL excel in these classes. These classes require hard work and can be stressful. If you have a job or multiple extra curricular activities and feel that you can’t dedicate the time to do well in these classes, then don’t opt for AP courses. It’s better to get an A in a regular or Honors class than a poor grade in an AP class so as not to affect your GPA.
What are AP Classes?
Advanced Placement or AP classes are part of a nationwide high school program put together by the College Board. They developed 37 courses across 22 subject areas to be at college level and much more rigorous than standard high school classes. High Schools decide if they will offer these classes, and high school students can opt to take these courses if they want to stand out academically, want to be challenged, or have a keen interest in a given subject.
At the end of the AP course, and for a fee of about $85.00, students take the AP exam and if they score well enough, some colleges will accept these scores as college credit – for example, if a student scores high on the AP Biology exam, he or she can skip the introductory college Biology class. Qualifying to skip courses can save you money in college tuition, plus save you time allowing you to graduate on schedule, or even earlier in some instances. Not all colleges accept high AP exam scores for college credit, so be sure to check your future college or talk to your high school counselor.
AP classes differ from Honors classes in that Honors classes are developed locally and don’t allow students to qualify for college credits. Also, Honors classes are typically offered in grades 9-12, while AP classes are offered in the 11th and 12th grades. As far as degree of difficulty, generally speaking, Honors courses are one level up from standard high school courses, while AP classes are 2 levels up from standard high school courses and are often weighted as such. Ask your future college if and how they look at AP scores.
Bottom Line
AP classes can be very rewarding both personally and academically, but you have to weigh them against what other activities you have going on in you life. Best best is to talk to your guidance counselor and ask them if AP classes are a good idea for you based on your current academic progress and extra curricular schedule.
September 7th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Thanks for the info. I am signed up for two AP courses this year. I’m a little nervous, but I think I will be okay.
September 9th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Seniors who take APs should remember that the AP tests are at the end of the school year. This means that they need to resist “senioritis” and stay focused until the bitter end of their high school careers. APs are rewarding nonetheless.
September 10th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
hello, karl:
i have a question. i heard that one needs to have credits in order to apply colleges. what is the credits mean? how many credits do i need in order for u to apply a college? and i also don’t know wether i should do some volunteer works in school so that i can get credits for college? i am in Forest Hills High School. what kind of volunteer work is that? join some clubs or do part-time job? oh another question, does AP class really important for a student when they apply a college?
thank u
September 11th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
wenbo,
You need to be on track to earn a high school degree in order to be accepted by an America college or university. While some advanced/ambitious students earn college credits while still in high school, you certainly don’t need to do so.
Participation in extracurricular activities is encouraged in high school. You can volunteer, get a job, or join a team; it’s up to you.
Successful completion of AP classes is seen as evidence of academic talent and dedication. You should seriously consider taking an AP or two, if you think you can handle the work.
I hope my advice helps. Talk to you soon.
March 6th, 2008 at 6:28 am
I initially thought that it was over-kill when my wife strongly suggested that my kid take AP and Honors courses. However, now that my kid is in the college search and application process I am glad my wife was persistent about it.
March 6th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Thanks for the note, John. I think it is important for others to hear about experiences like yours. To ensure higer visibility, your comment will be added to ePrep’s most recent post by Peter Van Buskirk. It is particulary relevant this time of year as students schedule classes for next year.
May 23rd, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Next year, I am going to take possibly
three AP courses, those being English, U.S. History, and Chemistry. I really hope they help with admissions. I strongly believe I can handle these courses because I’ve been taking honors classes throughout high school; Last year (my freshman year) I had
all classes except for Algebra and Italian. This year I am taking
Honors World History and Honors Literature.. Hopefully I will do well
in the AP courses.
May 24th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Janniel,
It sounds like you are motivated, talented, and on-track for doing really well in high school. This will certainly translate into college success. Keep up the good work.
July 7th, 2009 at 12:18 am
Hello.
I am a sophomore at a performing arts high school and this year I will be going into the eleventh grade. I took an AP European History class and for the first semester, received a B, and the second semester, received an A. My GPA is a 4.05. I have really high hopes for my future and I want to attend a really great university along the lines of maybe Harvard. However, I just recieved the grade to the AP test I took and was extremely disappointed to see a 2. Will this affect me at all? Do colleges care about AP grades? Help…
July 8th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Maddy,
Great question. AP scores are typically used by colleges to place students into the appropriate college classes. Thus, your official AP scores will only be sent to the college that you decide to attend. That being said, the common application does include fields for AP test scores. Thus, you will be prompted to self-report your scores.
I talked to Don Betterton yesterday, and he suggested that you report all of you AP scores on the common application. If you want, you can then attach a simple note that explains why your European History score is unusually low. (You were sick; your teacher apparently did not follow the AP syllabus, etc.)
Just to put you at ease, Don says that there around a hundred factors that go into each admission decision. Thus, while your low AP European History score may be noted, it alone will certainly not make or break you at a school like Harvard.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
July 15th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Thank you for the great information.
I am going to be senior next year.
My councelors encouraged me to take AP classes last year.
Recently I got my AP scores back from last June and
even though I got As and Bs in my AP classes,
I got scores that are mostly below 3 in my four AP classes.
It was hard for me to understand how I got such low grades
because I prepared for the test as hard as I could and I did ok in the classes.
Because I was worried how colleges are going to look at my grades
I searched for responses.
Some says it means my school isn’t covering what I need to know and it
means I don’t take the school work and tests seriously, which I disagree because
my school is very well known for AP programs and I worked hard to prepare for the exam.
I was wondering how much is it going to impact on my college applications, especially on common app?
Also, after reading your response to Maddy on the top, I wonder
how 2s in many AP exams will affect me from going to top colleges though they would be suspicious of my GPA.
August 16th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Hello, I was wondering exactly how AP credits work. I was on collegeboard.com, and saw something about AP credit policies…I read something about requesting that my scores be sent to the college I want to go to. I’m not sure if I have to do anything. I mean, is there anything else I should know to do after I take the AP tests. I’m planning on taking AP classes this coming school year and now I’m not sure if I’m missing something…Can someone help me?
I hope what I said makes sense. Thank you!
August 17th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Tammy,
I am currently traveling. I will send you a response tomorrow for sure. Thanks for being patient.
August 25th, 2009 at 6:04 am
Tammy,
Sorry for the long delay in responding. I wanted to consult with Don Betterton before replying.
When you fill out college applications, you will be asked to provide AP scores. You should do so honestly. After you are accepted and pick a college, that college may (or may not) request your AP scores from the College Board. The registrar at the college you have chosen may then use the scores to make sure that your freshman year course schedule is appropriate.
What I’m trying to say is that there isn’t much for you to do: just take a few APs; list your scores on your applications; and let the college you attend do the rest. Good luck.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Some of the AP courses my son wants to take are not offered at his high school. If he prepares for an AP exam via self-study and takes the AP exam and does well, would colleges give any weightage for those AP courses.
August 30th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Ravi,
Colleges are likely to give greater weight to your son’s AP scores, given that he is motivated enough to prepare on his own. Good luck.
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
My son is in his Senior Year, he is currently enrolled
in AP-Calculus, AP-Enviromental Hon-Eng, Hon-Econ,
Web Design3, Drafting3, he us taking Spainish 2 on-line,
he is on the Yearbook committee, he is on the Varsity baseball
team, has a 4.2 weighed GPA, 3.7 unweighted and is on the NHS for technology
In his 3rd week of school he missed several days due to
the flu. He feel behind in some of his classes. I petitioned
the school to remove my son from AP enviromental, which he
currently has a D in. They are refusing, I’m very concerned at
his over all GPA and since it is his senior year I would like him
to be a participate in all senior activites. Can I please have
your opinion on this additional AP class versus his overall GPA
and his extracurricular activites in getting during the college review
process.
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Karen,
I wouldn’t worry too much about the current D. I am sure your son will find a way to get a C or above. College’s will not dwell on one mediocre grade. They will see it for what it is — an aberration. (I got a D in American History one marking period. I missed a test when I went on a soccer trip to Germany. My teacher refused to let me make up the test.)
As far as extracurricular activities go, your son should focus on the one (or two) he enjoys most, and forget the rest. Colleges get thousands of applications from students who are modestly committed to many activities. Being indistinguishable from the masses will not help your son in the admissions process.
I hope this helps.
November 13th, 2009 at 2:42 am
I was wondering….I plan on taking 5 AP classes.. AP Chem, AP Bio, AP Calculus, AP US History, and AP statistics before I graduate plus Im planning on taking community college classes during Junior and Senior Year…Would that help me get into a good University? I want to work towards a full ride scholarship and I know I could probably pass these classes if I try. What should I do? Is it too much?
November 17th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Maddie,
Absolutely, assuming you do well in all the classes you listed. You know better than anyone what you can handle. Take as many rigorous courses as you can. Don’t be afraid to push yourself academically. Sophomore and junior year in high school should be very busy ones. Good luck.
November 29th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
i am currently a junior in high school. Unfortunatly i couldnt attend first semester of this year b/c i was stuck in another country and i couldnt return until recently. I just moved to a new state a week ago and am going to enroll in a new school. I was going to take AP classes this year, can i still take the classes 2nd semester even though i didnt go to school first sem. bc of the incident?
December 1st, 2009 at 8:20 am
Jessie,
I am not sure. I think the answer depends on your new school’s policies. That being said, if you are willing to play catch-up, I don’t see why they wouldn’t let you join the AP classes that you are interested in taking.
Good luck. Please let me know what happens. I’d be interested to hear.
December 1st, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I attend Academic Magnet High School in Charleston, SC. It is the seventh best school in the nation and I’m a freshmen there. I talk to a lot of seniors and juniors and even sophomores about if I have a future in this school because of its high level education and hard courses. You can start taking AP classes sophomore year, I believe, but by senor year, I am required to be in all AP classes. This is a really scary thought considering the fact that I’m a freshmen with all honors classes and I’m already staying up until 2 in the morning. Part of it is because I’m a procrastinator, but there really is a boat load of work. Since I will end up taking AP courses, I know I have to pull my self together and work a bit harder. I am still an A/B student and I’m doing quit well compared to others. Yet the thought of AP courses kind of haunt me. So I would like to know, Karl, what is life in an AP course like? I mean, I know that it’s two times above normal high school level, but how? Like, what kind of work should I be expecting?
I guess I’m just scared because I didn’t even think I’d last this long in such a high level school! And hopefully, learning about the average hardness and work-load of an AP course will help! Thank you for your time because I know that was a really long message!
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:49 am
Mayar,
I felt the same way as a freshman. I wasn’t sure whether I would be able to handle the more difficult courses later in my high school career. The thought of physics, in particular, really scared me.
As it turns out, by the time I got to junior and senior year, I was ready for the difficult classes. Looking back, it makes a lot of sense: When I was a freshman, I didn’t have the skills or the background knowledge to take AP classes. That’s, I guess, why freshman don’t take AP classes. Again, by the time I got to junior year, I had spend two years working hard, learning and developing academic skills. By junior year, I was able to get mounds of work done very efficiently (i.e., I wasn’t staying up as late as I did freshman and sophomore years).
The nice part, Mayar, is that you are not in this thing alone. You will struggle along with your classmates and friends. Try to enjoy it; it will go by fast. Trust me.
Good lick! Just joking. Good luck! Thanks for the note. Sometimes I type too fast for my own good.
December 20th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Almost all highly selective institutions will tell you that
they seek students who have chosen rigorous courses in high
school. Thus, if you can handle AP courses, you should take them.
January 8th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
I am currently a sophomore in high school and my gpa has dropped
i have three A’s but i have 4 C’s one of them being an AP class
i am very disappointed in my self, but i know i can do better
next semester. Is this first semester going to cause troubles
down the road when choosing a college?
January 18th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Shane
The slump may cause issues at the most selective colleges in the country. That being said, all schools like to see an upward trend in grades. This means that, if you raise your grades and continue to improve throughout your high school career, you will be fine in the end. Keep working hard, Shane. It will pay huge dividends in the future. Trust me.
February 1st, 2010 at 12:23 pm
My 8th-grade daughter has been recommended for 2 AP classes next year. She struggled until 7th grade and though she’s done well during 7th and 8th she’s been A-B honor roll twice (out of 6). I’m concerned she won’t have time for extracurricular band (marching and pep) and the added homework. Will AP really get her further than Advanced level classes?
February 1st, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Donna,
While AP classes are important, it is unusual for a freshman to take any. Freshman year is the time to explore extracurricular activities, while building the academic foundation and skills necessaryt to take AP classes later in high school. Please do not let anyone pressure your rising freshman into taking AP classes in her first year of high school.
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:41 am
THANK YOU !!!
February 7th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Many AP classes are not offered until 12th grade and these
are full year classes. College applications are usually sent
during 12th grade, prior to completion of these AP classes.
I would appreciate if you could clarify the following:
1. Is there a way for an HS student take any credit for 12th
grade AP classes on college application?
2. Is there any use in taking AP classes in 12th grade for the
purpose of college application?
Thank you!
February 8th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Hi Karl,
My daughter is in 8th grade and I was wondering if she appears for SAT this year, will the scores be reported when she applies for college admission. What is your advice on this. Thanks,
February 8th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Sam,
Colleges always condsider grades from the first and second marking periods of senior year. This means that, even though AP courses are not completed until June, your midterm grades will give colleges a good sense of your academic abilities.
AP test scores are used for college placement purposes, not for admission purposes. For example, if your AP biology test score is 5, you will likely be able to place out of Biology 101, and perhaps 102, in college.
I hope this all makes sense. Send follow-up questions, if it doesn’t. In the meantime, good luck.
February 11th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Savita,
Your daughter’s 8th grade scores will not be reported to colleges, unless you want them to be. The College Board’s score choice policy allows SAT test takers to send to colleges, only scores from the dates specified by the test taker. Thus, the choice will ultimately be yours and your daughter’s.
I hope this helps.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Karl,
my son is taking all honors in 9th grade except for 2 regular
one of the subjects is french is the highest grade he’s saying he wants a balanced work load and will he work on stepping it up in 10 th .My question does this affect his college admission on the long run going to college also if he takes for example biology inthe summer can it be eleminated from his work load in the school year , also when should he prepare for the PSAT,Sat’s
lastly how many extracurricular should he be involved in average for a good school
thanks very much .I appologize for my too many questions and thankyou
February 26th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Sara,
While most colleges will discount freshman year grades, they do like students who take as many rigorous classes as possible in high school. It sounds like your son is on the right track. Taking summer classes is perfectly acceptable and is not likely to help or hurt him in the college admission process.
Your son should probably begin preparing for the PSAT during the summer before junior year. In the meantime, he should simply pay attention in class and work hard generally.
Colleges generally prefer students who demonstrate a strong commitment to one or two extracurricular activities. In other words, it’s not about the number of activities; it’s about the quality of the experience in one or two.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:53 am
Good Morning Karl ,
I have my other son who is taking regular courses in other words college prep. My question is do you think his chances are limited going to colleges like would he have a chance ging into state colleges if this wa what he’s capable of doing or achieving even though his plans is to take calculus in the end. would there be a chance for him to get into honors if he got a better grade in 10th for example or there is no chance of him getting in with the college prep courses
. Thank you very much
March 7th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Sara,
It really depends on the school district. In my district, for example, students are tracked very early. My seventh-grade daughter, for example, who isn’t a naturally gifted math student, is already in a track that will not allow her to join honors classes as a high school student. While this is frustrating in many ways as a parent, I understand the reasoning behind tracking students.
All this being said, if your son does well in “regular” high school courses, scores well on the SAT, and gets good teacher recommendations, many state schools would be lucky to have him as a student.
I hope this helps. Sorry I couldn’t be more specific.
March 9th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Good Morning Karl,
I truly appreciate your feedback and I was hoping to hear this answer really and you just said it > it has been proven that sucsess in life is defined by more broader prespective than figures and numbers.Thank you so much.I wish your daughter all the best and will keep bringing in the questions .