Every year, we get lots of questions from families about AP course selections. So we decided to answer your most popular inquiries on the blog today.
What are the benefits of an AP class?
There are many advantages to taking an Advanced Placement course. From an admissions standpoint, AP classes are a great way to show colleges you’re challenging yourself academically and handling the rigors of college-level coursework. AP coursework can also reinforce your interest in and readiness for a particular major. For example, if you want to become an engineer, it’s helpful for a college to see that you can excel in high-level math and science courses. Plus, your GPA might get a boost, depending on whether or not your high school uses a weighted GPA scale.
And that’s not all. AP classes may save you time and money later on, because you have the potential to earn college credits and maybe even bypass some introductory classes once you get to college. Note, of course, that this is not the case everywhere: students attending public colleges and universities will often find more generous AP credit policies than those at private institutions.
Are there any drawbacks to taking an AP course?
Of course! As with anything, there are some potential drawbacks you should be aware of when deciding to take an AP class. First and foremost, AP classes are hard! They are purposely designed to challenge you and will require a great deal of time and investment on your part.
It’s also important to recognize that an AP class might not necessarily be a good fit for you. Just because an Advanced Placement course is offered at your school doesn't mean you have to take it. Your academic skills in a particular subject might be better suited for a regular or honors section. A good rule of thumb: if you think an AP class might be so hard that it impacts your ability to succeed in the rest of your classes, don’t take it. And if you’re still not sure that you’re ready for an AP class, talk with your teacher in that subject area.
Finally, let’s talk college credits. Taking an AP class doesn’t guarantee college credit, even if you work really hard - even if you ace the course the entire year! It all depends on how well you perform on the AP exam in May, AND - as mentioned above - whether your future college or university will award credit in the first place.
WHICH AP courses are offered to high school students?
There are actually 38 (yes, 38!), AP courses offered by the College Board. You can see the full list of classes here. Now that doesn’t mean your school will offer all 38 AP classes, so be sure to check with your teachers and counselors to find out what courses are available to you. If there is an AP class you really want to take but your school doesn’t offer it, keep reading! We have alternative solutions!
Some of the most popular classes include AP Spanish Language, AP Psychology, AP Calculus AB, and our favorite, AP English Language and Composition. While these are definitely tried-and-true Advanced Placement courses, the College Board has also been developing two new classes over the past few years. AP Precalculus has finally passed the development phase and will be officially offered in the fall of 2023. AP African American History- the controversial course that’s been making news headlines recently- will be piloted at several schools during the 2023-2024 school year.
In fact, as of early March, there are eight schools in Fairfax County, Virginia that plan to offer the AP African American History:
Chantilly HS
Fairfax HS
Hayfield HS
McLean HS
South County
Westfield HS
West Potomac HS
Woodson HS
How many AP courses should I take?
Unfortunately, there is no standard or right number of AP classes that a student should take. It really depends on the individual. If you’re planning to apply to highly competitive institutions, you’ll definitely want to be more rigorous with your AP course loads. Think about your college list and do some research to get a better sense of the academic caliber required for top schools.
It’s also important to be realistic about your time and abilities. Sure, you might think five AP courses looks impressive on your senior year transcript, but you’re not going to look so great to an admissions committee if your GPA takes a dive. Don’t overload yourself so much that you can’t maintain your grades–or keep up with important extracurricular commitments.
Do some AP classes look better than others on a college application?
Some AP classes are notorious for being more difficult than others. We’re looking at you, AP Physics. However, the pass rates and difficulty level don’t necessarily make a class better when it comes to your college applications. The AP classes that look best on your transcript depend on your academic areas of interest. For example, if you plan to major in business, then you’ll want to prioritize AP courses in math and economics.
Also, the best AP classes are those that don’t torture you. Let’s say that foreign languages have always been a struggle for you. Well, then avoid signing up for AP Spanish. Instead, invest your time and energy into an AP class that is better suited to your academic strengths and your future plans.
What if my school doesn’t offer AP classes?
If your school doesn’t offer AP courses-or maybe the particular AP subject you’re looking for- don’t worry. There are plenty of other ways that you can challenge yourself academically and potentially earn college credit.
First, consider the International Baccalaureate program, better known as IB, if that’s available at your high school instead of AP courses. If you’re curious about what differentiates IB from AP and others, check out this page on the IB website. Know that colleges and universities have absolutely no preference between AP and IB, so students should pick the option that’s right for them - or, from a practical standpoint, the option their school offers!
Another option is to enroll in an AP course online through a virtual school or program. For example, Virtual Virginia currently offers 27 Advanced Placement courses for high schoolers in the state. Just be sure to talk with your school counselor because you’ll need to make sure that the online school or program is accredited.
Some brave students may opt for another pathway to earning AP credit: self-study. Instead of taking a year-long AP course, you simply register for the exam- which you’ll take either at your school or at a nearby high school- and then prepare independently. Sounds easy, right? Wrong! Self-study isn’t for everyone. You have to be extremely self-motivated, not to mention capable of learning the material with only the help of prep books and tutorial videos. If you’re considering the self-study route, opt for AP subjects which have content that overlaps with your coursework, experiences, or skills. For example, AP Environmental Science is a popular self-study option because students will have already studied some of the material in their biology classes. AP United States History is a great option for students who are taking US History at schools that don’t offer the AP version. Again, be sure to talk with your counselor about this option–and early! You’ll need to register for the exam in the fall, and your counselor can help you find a testing site.
A non-AP alternative to earning college credits is a dual enrollment program. In this type of program, students take college-level classes through a local community college or university and earn college credits while satisfying their high school requirements. Unlike an AP course, dual enrollment classes don’t require students to pass a special exam at the end of the year. You’ll earn your college credits just by passing the class. Just be aware that not all high schools offer dual enrollment, and your credits aren’t guaranteed to be accepted by your future college or university.
Finally, don’t forget to consider honors classes! While they won’t allow you to earn college credits, they can give a nice boost to your GPA and show admissions committees that you’re challenging yourself.
Do you need help with course selections?
If you need help making decisions about course selections and class schedules, book a strategy session with us.