How important are AP classes? (long)

[missypie]

Our HS only lets you drop from an AP to a regular class at the 3 week and 6 week points, and the teacher has to agree. There is probably some wisdom in making them stick with the class for 3 weeks before making a decision.

 

[rigs32]

Your daughter's schedule may help prepare her for a top college, if that is her ambition. It would be easier to transition academically now, rather than later.

I took all the honors and AP classes I could in high school and got college credit for most of them - in NY we lost a month of class time because the school year was a month behind most states yet the exams were still in May.

I easily got into a top 5 liberal arts college. (I worked in the admissions office my sophomore year and checked out my admissions scores.) I also was still not prepared for the level of work expected of me. I am currently at a good law school and it is a breeze comparatively.

A lot of the folks who didn't do well and transfered to a lower ranked school just couldn't pull it academically. They may have been partying too much, but I for a lot of them, the academic stress pushed them to party - I've spoken to many of them since and the same ideas are shared by a lot of them. Their high school experience just didn't prepare them (heck, I felt unprepared a lot, too) for the rigours.

 

[caitycaity]

i echo a lot of what you have already been told here. i took several ap classes and got college credit for all of them. if your daughter wants to g to a competitive school, she should keep the classes. not only for admissions purposes, but because she might as well start figure out how to handle the workload now.

 

[DVCLiz]

Well, remember that although the classes are tough, she's only taking four academic courses, and only two of them are AP. I don't know what Pre-AP means because we don't have that designation at DD's school. Are they Honors or Advanced classes, without the AP exam at the end?

So really she shouldn't have an impossible workload, assuming that the three electives aren't very intensive with written work, reading or testing. I know thay are time-consuming, though!!!

Man, those AP history courses are unreal, aren't they? DD took APUSH last year (AP U S History) and made a 3 on the exam. She's taking AP Euro this year as an elective instead of drama - don't ask me why. I just went to the bookstore and got those AP Euro books - The Prince was right on top!!! She also has a pretty intensive reading schedule for AP English this year - remember Beowulf?? Glad it's not me!!!!

 

[monarchsfan16]

I took 3 AP classes my junior year. I was also the sole photography editor of the school paper, without a staff, on National Honor Society, and Student Council. To top that off it was the most difficult year my family has seen in a long time. The classes that weren't AP (just two) were college prep/accelerated, and one of those was the normal senior math class. The other was Latin III. My AP classes were Bio, US history, and English lit. AP Bio was 2 class periods a day (so 90 minutes a day), 1-2 tests a week, lab reports and other papers. History wasn't so bad, and English, after the first quarter when we got a new teacher, was a joke. Yeah, I bit off a bit more than I could chew. I was stressed big time, but I survived, and looking back I'm really glad I challenged myself. Before I took those classes I never really learned how to study; I never really had to. I coasted on a sea of good grades, as bad as that sounds. Learning how to study saved my butt in honors psych the last semester of senior year. I aced the class. Most did not. Knowing how to study will also help me as I start my first year of college this year (moving in on Friday).
I only got 3's on each of the tests. That still qualified me though for 12 credits at the school I'll be going to. If I'd gone to a more prestigious school I would have needed higher scores. But 3's were all I was hoping for by the end of the year. Like I said it was a tough year, mostly outside of the classroom. Your daughter can make it through though. A lot of us have. Generally the AP teachers are extremely supportive. If she needs help they'll help. She'll need to master independence, and study skills, but she'll get there.

 

[Saphire]

Do you have any experience with the AP process? Is it really worthwhile? The time & commitment is pretty intense. What would you advise her to do? I'm afraid I haven't done a very good job of letting her know how proud we are of her. How do I let her know that without her feeling pressured to keep at that same level unless SHE wants it?

Both of my sons went through high school taking AP classes. It is absolutely worthwhile. Doing well in these classes helps their GPA immensely, and colleges will be looking at that. Kids who do this well are usually self-driven, so realize your daughter wants this just as much or more than you do. Just remind her gently that it is ultimately up to her what classes she chooses, that if it isn't working she can change classes, and that you are proud of the person she is and not just the grades she gets. I would also encourage her to stick with this schedule, as the first days of school are very often overwhelming, but most likely (considering her past success) she will ease into this challenging schedule. I'll bet she will have a great year! It sounds like she is very well rounded and colleges will be looking for someone like her! Best wishes.

 

[DenMig]

Hello,

I teach AP chemistry in Urbana IL. I don't require my students to take the AP exam but I encourage it. I know a lot of people love to get the college credit for $$$$ reasons, however I encourage science majors to still take the intro chem class at their university. The thing about AP chem is there really isn't enough time to cover everything for the exam so the students need to prepare some sections on their own, and I'll answer questions that come along. I don't believe taking all AP classes is the end all be all but I suppose it depends on what the University you are applying to thinks. If you have any questions specifically about AP chem drop me a line.

Dennis

 

[Aimeedyan]

The worth depends on her future plans and college goals, really.

I didn't want to mess with AP courses in high school, I didn't want the extra work! I qualified for them and refused to take them. I am glad I made that decision. I went to the college of my choice, graduated with my BS, got into the graduate school that I wanted, and will graduate in Dec with my MDIV. I'm exactly where I wanted to be.

An AP class would have done nothing for me except take social time away in my last years of high school, or not allow me to volunteer and work as much as I did. Not worth it.

I have a small handful of HS friends that did the AP classes and went onto Ivy League schools. Paid off for them. But the VAST majority went to a school just like mine and it didn't get them any further. Course, some people just like the extra challenge, and that's great!

I hope your daughter finds peace soon with her schedule and enjoys her year regardless!!

 

[4greatboys]

My oldest--a senior this year--is taking 5 AP classes. He wants to get his GPA as high as he can. As missypie said its hard for Texas kids get into A&M or UT unless you are in the top 10%.

 

[missypie]

My oldest--a senior this year--is taking 5 AP classes. He wants to get his GPA as high as he can. As missypie said its hard for Texas kids get into A&M or UT unless you are in the top 10%.

At freshman orientation, the principal said, "There's one thing that I can absolutely guaranty to you: 90% of your children will not be in the top 10% of the class."

 

[rascalmom]

Thanks for all of your replies. I really appreciate your support and suggestions.

She can still make changes in her schedule, but there is a deadline next week. The problem is with AP Chem - since she already took Chem I, she would have to switch to a different science subject. She went & talked to the AP Chem teacher today, but wasn't able to see the counselor. I spoke with my best friend today - her daughter just graduated as valedictorian. She said the AP Chem teacher is the hardest & most hated teacher at the school. That was a pretty strong statement from that young lady - she was a great student & gets along with everyone.

I think she is going to keep the AP US History & switch to Anatomy. In our district "PreAp" is the honors level course. Her concern with the AP US is that it is a brand new teacher - he just graduated & this is his first time to teach. So there is no way to know what to expect from him.

She hasn't decided what she wants to major in yet. She is somewhat interested in pharmacy & teaching. Kind of a broad range there, huh? I expect that she will go to school here in state. She is very family oriented & I would be very surprised if she went very far away to school. She has a pretty high ACT score, but has not taken the SAT yet - so we don't have an idea if "Ivy League" would be an option.

Her electives are pretty important to her. Show Choir is a big deal here & to be in that she is required to be in another chorus class. Show Choir members are required to do the musical & the talent show (even if they don't have a part, they have to do crew). She has spent the last two summers doing local musical theatre productions, so asking her to cut back on those things would be taking away her passion. She is also in National Honor Society - at her school they are required to but lots of community service hours. I just haven't ever seen her intimidated by her course load before (she's pretty fierce) & it took me by surprise.

Thanks for listening!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i never took any AP classes--i got accepted into every college that i applied to..i am much happier that i was able to have less stress in high school--
im still on deans list in college, so never regretted not taking AP

 

[RitaZ.]

If you like, I can ask my SIL. She is the Director of Admissions at one of the colleges in an university here in S. FL. Let me know.

 

[rascalmom]

If you like, I can ask my SIL. She is the Director of Admissions at one of the colleges in an university here in S. FL. Let me know.

That's very generous of you! I would love to hear her take on this - I'll take all the input I can get. Thanks!

 

[RitaZ.]

That's very generous of you! I would love to hear her take on this - I'll take all the input I can get. Thanks!

I'll send you a pm.

 

[RitaZ.]

rascalmom~ It's time to clean out your pm box!

 

[christineann]

I am taking my second child to college admissions visits, and the reps say the same thing they did 3-4 years ago. They would rather see a student who challenges him/herself by taking AP's and gets a C than a student who takes the easiest courses and gets A's. My son is now a senior as he begins his third year of college (got to brag - deans list) with a double major and a double minor. My daughter is taking all AP's this year, plays basketball year round, and belongs to several service organizations in addition to working part time. This was her choice, and she had to get permission from the dean. I have told her that she is going to have to be organized, focused and make sure she gets some sleep! I think her freshman year of college will be easier than this year. Her class is very competitive academically.

Getting into college is so much more competitive than it was when I applied!

 

[rascalmom]

Sorry - pm box emptied now!

 

[sharbear]

The only thing I would caution your DD about is if she is even thinking about Pharmacy she should try to stick it out in AP Chem. It would be much better to get a foundation in Chem at the HS level than to tackle it in college.

I understand that the teacher is hard and your DD is having a bit of a meltdown. I promise that it is normal Junior year! Tough year.

The difference between Honors Chem I and regular Chem is the amount of math. Chemistry is very math based and she might find that she needs a little bit of adjustment and maybe a tutor to get her up to snuff.

I really think that she should tough it out in AP Chem. I would drop APUSH instead. Don't take classes in HS that have no bearing on what you want to major in in college. Just my .02

 

[monarchsfan16]

I think she is going to keep the AP US History & switch to Anatomy. In our district "PreAp" is the honors level course. Her concern with the AP US is that it is a brand new teacher - he just graduated & this is his first time to teach. So there is no way to know what to expect from him.

If she has any concerns about the AP history teacher (and even if she finds that he is a great teacher) and she plans to take the AP exam (which she really should), I'd recommend that you buy the REA AP US history test prep book. It has all the information about all the topics that turn up on the test, while filtering out the useless junk that appears in text books. It also has the practice tests. I found it to be my biggest asset going into that test. I had a horrible teacher; the average score among the 3 AP history classes was a 2. I pulled off a 3, but most kids got 1's or 2's in my class.