Advanced Placement Courses

The Advanced Placement courses offer you the opportunity to take college level courses while you are still in high school.  By taking AP courses you can knock off some of the requirements toward a college degree program and avoid paying high tuition fees later in college. Besides, by taking AP courses in high school, you make yourself stand out in the crowd; colleges would look favorably upon your application if you have taken a good number of AP courses.

How many AP courses are enough?

AP classes are challenging, take more time and require more work. Students who are motivated, focused and self-disciplined should take two to six AP level courses during the four years of school. The best combination would be one in 10^th, two in 11^th, and three in 12^th grade.  For exceptional students, I recommend a maximum of 9 AP courses. However, if you are struggling to keep your GPA at 3.25, skip the AP courses; they are not for you.

Will I get credit for my AP course toward college degree?

Colleges differ in their practice for giving credit for AP courses toward a degree program, though they would almost always transfer credits for courses taken at a community college.  Many colleges accept only a few AP courses toward the college degree and that too when you score 3 or higher in the AP exam (Ivy League colleges require a 5).

What courses are available?

College Board offers 34 AP courses in 19 subject areas and conducts the AP exams each year in May. Quince Orchard High School offers AP courses in: Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Computer Science, English Language & Composition, English Literature & Composition, Environmental Science, Macro Economics, Micro Economics, NSL Government, Physics, Psychology, Spanish Language, Statistics, United States Government/Politics, US History, World History, and a few more.

What courses should I take?

That depends on what interests you and what career you want to pursue in college. If you want to pursue science, choose 2/3^rd of the courses from that discipline and the remaining from Humanities.  If you want to pursue law, reverse the combination.  If your counselor insists that you must take another AP and recommends AP Physics, but you want to be a lawyer when you grow up, convey that to your counselor and tell her you would rather take AP English.  If you intend to pursue science, take the entire combination of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Why should I take AP courses?

If you succeed in AP courses, you will perform well in college, since these AP courses will prepare you for the academic rigor of the college life. High schools give extra weight on the GPA for taking an AP course, but that extra weight can also be obtained by taking just the Honors course.