We all know the importance of GPA and standardized test scores when it comes to college admissions. But what about theclasses a student takes?
If your student’s high school offers AP courses, the discussion about whether or not to pursue AP coursework will be an inevitable one. A high school student should first and foremost be taking classes that inspire them and are relevant to their ambitions for the future. However, students should also carefully consider that their list of classes will one day end up on the desk of a college admissions counselor. How do AP classes fit into that equation?
What are AP Classes?
AP exams (short for “Advanced Placement”) are administered by the College Board, the same organization that administers the SAT, and are usually offered at the beginning of May. The 40 AP subjects cover a wide range of topics, including:
- US History,
- World History,
- US Government and Politics,
- English Literature and Composition,
- Music Theory,
- Art History,
- Biology,
- Chemistry,
- Physics (4 options),
- Calculus AB and BC,
- Computer Science,
- Statistics,
- Psychology,
- Macro- and Microeconomics,
- Languages (Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and Latin),
- and others. For a full list, click here.
Crucially, high AP scores can earn students college credits. However, be sure to research the policies of the particular schools your student is considering. For more information on the value of earning college credits through AP exams, click here.
While students technically may sit for most AP exams without taking the corresponding AP course, without incredible preparation and AP tutoring, few students are likely to earn 4s or 5s (the most common AP scores required to qualify for college credits). A better use of time and money for most students is to take AP classes for the AP exams they want to take and consider some AP tutoring in the weeks leading up to their exam dates.
Choosing Rigor
When a class is labeled as “AP,” a high school is not only explaining that the course is meant to act as preparation for the AP exam; the label is also a clear sign that this course will be more difficult than a non-AP equivalent. In the act of choosing an AP course, a student is demonstrating that they are up for a challenge.
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Indeed, taking multiple AP classes across multiple years paints a portrait of a student who seeks to engage intensely with their academic coursework. However, a student needs to understand that the second part of the “story” is the grade that appears on their transcript.
While all students should aspire to challenge themselves, it is okay if a student opts out of taking an AP class if they have reason to believe they would not do well in the class. When course selection time comes, take the time to sit down with your student to address the difficulty of an AP class.
This discussion should include open-ended questions posed to the student, such as
- “What have I heard about this AP class from other students?”
- “Do I think I would enjoy this AP class?”
- “What skills will this AP class require of me?”
- “What are my other commitments this semester / year? Will I have adequate time to dedicate to this AP class?”
A “Translatable” Curriculum
In the American education system, coursework varies greatly across different high schools. If your student’s high school has a large enrollment, chances are there are multiple teachers that teach the same course. Even then, the content of those “same” courses will vary from teacher to teacher. With so much variability, it can be hard to demonstrate to colleges exactly what your student covered in a class.
Indeed, this variability across schools is one of the reasons standardized tests like the ACT and the SAT are so popular with colleges: standardized tests give colleges the opportunity to evaluate students’ skills using common metrics. AP classes are, naturally, structured around preparing a student to take the AP exam. While the curriculum is not standardized, your student’s teacher will build the curriculum around preparing for a standardized test. As such, having an AP course on a transcript is an opportunity to “translate” to colleges what content your student learned.
The Role of GPA
In the college admissions process, the strength of a student’s grades takes precedence. Undoubtedly, any consideration of AP coursework should keep a discussion of GPA at the forefront.
This discussion may include questioning the “opportunity cost” of not taking an AP exam. For example, if, when choosing a class, the only option other than an AP class is a non-honors class, you and your student should calculate how a non-honors class would affect their weighted GPA. This does not mean that a student should immediately sign up for the AP class, however.
While no one has a clairvoyant insight into what grade a student will earn if they take an AP class, students and parents should use data to try to accurately predict what grade the student might earn should they take the AP course. This data could include the student’s previous performance in similar classes as well as any insight gleaned from students who have already taken the course.
Certainly, the decision whether or not to take AP classes will have an impact come college application time, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Check in with your student’s college counselor to discuss what AP classes are offered and what the best course of action is for your student.
