How important are AP classes? (long)

[chrissyk]

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

I second 100% of what Sharbear said here.

 

[debloco]

I agree with all of the posters who asked how competitive a college your DD would like to try and attend. If she is even considering Ivy League or any other very selective schools, then yes, she should take the most challenging curriculum she can and get the very best grades she can. And although LisalovesPooh stated that you can get college credit with an AP test score of 3,4 or 5-many of the more selective schools now only give credit for scores of 4 or 5. A score of 3 more and more often gets you nothing.
And in terms of what the admissions office will be looking for on a college application, the number one item is academic rigor, GPA, and class rank. Standardized test scores come after that, and academic awards, research, and other notable accomplishments after that.
And this from a former senior admissions officer from Harvard:
"Students often asked me if I'd rather see a student get a B in an AP class or an A in an honors course. Like many admissions professionals, my sardonic response was always, 'Get an A in the AP class.' I would follow the quip with a smile and explain that colleges want to see students perform at the highest levels possible. (italics mine) If that meant getting a few B's in AP classes, I would prefer those results every time; however, if modest results were also cutting into your extracurricular time as a musician or a debater, then I might recommend finding a different academic balance."
It is still very early in the school year. I might wait to see how it settles out for your DD. My DD is a junior this year as well and in two AP classes (Physics and Language/Composition) as well as Honors PreCalc and Honors French III along with the top choir (A Capella) and her extracurriculars, so I know how you are feeling.
Hope things work out for the best

 

[Snowysmom]

My older DS, now going into his junior year in college, did not take any AP courses until senior year when he took 3. He did take all Honors courses junior year. He got into some competitive schools. He also graduated 6th in his class of 209 and his class was very academically competitive. He did take the AP tests and started college freshman year with 9 credits. I guess what I am trying to say is that kids do need to challenge themselves but when it gets to the point that they are extemely stressed and in tears, maybe it is time to look at the situation and see if things can be changed. Maybe if she took an AP course this year and 2 or 3 next year it would help. Of course, if she is looking at Ivy League schools or really tough to get into schools, she may need to just try to tough it out this year. My younger DS, a high school junior, is taking AP biology this year along with all honor's courses for the rest. We know AP biology will be really tough and he is gearing up for it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do and I hope she has a good year.