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What Are AP Classes? Everything You Need to Know To Survive and Thrive
Author:
Dallas Hardwick
Feb 12, 2025
7 min
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What Are AP Classes? Everything You Need to Know To Survive and Thrive
What do AP classes do? AP classes are challenging; let's start with that. Essentially, AP courses are college-level courses that mirror what students learn in a first-year university class. They demand a lot from students:
- You need to think critically
- You need to manage your time and heavy workloads
- You need to handle college-style exams and balance that with high school
The extra effort and pressure will give you lucrative benefits if you manage to finish them with grace and good scores. Beyond the challenges they impose, they do come with real perks. If you get strong scores in your AP exams, you can get college credit, GPA boosts, plus a big edge when it comes to admissions.
But before you take on the challenge, you need to be sure that you're ready to do all of this demanding coursework and rigid time commitments. They can easily make any student burn out if they're not prepared. So, if you thrive under pressure and have built a good discipline concerning time management, then this might not be impossible for you.
The decision to take the classes depends on what you're willing to put up with and if you can maintain your efforts until the end.
Why Do AP Classes Matter?
Evidently, colleges will look favorably upon students who've taken AP classes (especially those with strong scores). The act of having taken them acts as a demonstration of commitment. You're telling them that you're here and you're serious.
You've got what it takes and have academic rigor. They'll see that you pushed yourself beyond standard coursework. Even so, what exactly are the benefits of these classes? Let's take a look:
- GPA Boost: Numerous schools use weighted grading for AP classes. This means that an A in an AP class is worth more than an A in a regular class.
- College Readiness: AP courses mirror college courses. They prepare you thoroughly for what's to come.
- Potential College Credit: If you score well on your AP exams, you might be allowed to skip introductory college courses.
- Stronger College Applications: Competitive universities and Ivy League schools often strongly favor applicants who've finished multiple AP courses. It shows ambition and discipline.
How Many AP Classes Should I Take?
That is all on YOU. When taking on the challenge of AP classes you should think of your goals. AP classes that will bolster your progress to align with those goals should be prioritized. The next thing you have to consider is the workload.
You need to make sure and be realistic if you can handle it. Lastly, you need to be transparent with your capabilities when choosing an AP course. If you take on numerous classes and end up burning out, or if you're not that good at handling stress, then you should make realistic goals for yourself.
Over time, you will get better. But first, it's a step-by-step process. Think and strategize when choosing an AP course and asking yourself, "Should I take AP classes?"
How to Choose the Right AP Classes
One AP program is different from the other in terms of difficulty or relevance. You should always strive to take courses that align with your goals. Here are some tips for you:
- Play to Your Strengths
- If you like Math and Science and are good in these subjects, try these AP classes: AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry.
- If you like writing and analysis, you could try: AP English Language, AP literature, AP U.S. History.
2. Consider Your Future Major
Colleges will like to see that you align your AP courses with your intended major. Here's a few pointers to consider:
- Aspiring engineers: Take AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Computer Science.
- Future business students: AP Economics and AP Statistics complement each other and are great choices for business majors.
- Aspiring to be in medicine: AP Biology and AP Chemistry will prove to be extremely substantial in this field.
3. Research College Credit Policies
Some colleges let you bypass introductory courses and grant you college credit from AP exams, but some don't. Before you take on AP coursework, you should check your target schools' AP credit policies. This will help you avoid wasting time in the wrong efforts.
Reminder: Prioritize and Strategize
AP classes will bolster you forward and give you an edge, especially when applying to colleges. The perks are there. However, AP classes aren't an obligatory requirement for college admission. You should take them strategically and take them if they align with your long-term goals.
While the benefits are significant, college-level classes aren't a requirement for college admission. Students should take them strategically based on their academic strengths and long-term plans.
FAQ
AP classes can enhance your chances of getting admitted to certain schools. They can also help boost your GPA and earn college credit.
They help you gain better skills in high school analysis, independent learning, and critical thinking. They help you build discipline as well and prepare you for college as well.
Good things don't come easy. If you want to have college credit, then yes, they're worth it, and you should take them. If you want to boost your GPA and have an edge when applying to your target colleges, then yes, they're worth taking. Does your ideal college board give benefits to AP students who have good AP scores? If the answer is yes, then you should take AP classes.
Here are some advanced placement options you have as high school students or college students for college credit:
- AP Comparative Government
- AP English Literature
- AP Biology
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