AP or not AP

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But at what point in HS does she start being concerned about what colleges are looking for?

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IMO, at the point of planning your hs schedule. Could be before freshman year for some kids. Certainly by now for your D.... which is why you are asking, I am sure.</p>

<p>The key is this: be concerned about what the type of colleges which interest your D are looking for. There is not really a generic answer. For some colleges, foregoing AP classes - if they are offered - will be a death knell in most cases. For other colleges, that will not be the case.</p>

<p>At some high schools, choosing to go the CP vs. Honors and/or AP will also mean a kid is with a set of peers who are not serious academically and that may be a bad thing. At other high schools, there will be a good set of students in each track - just different levels of academic zeal and accomplishment. But no worries at the latter type of school that the kid will be stuck with zero motivation kids who mar the experience. </p>

<p>So it is partly about the situation at your hs and partly about her college aspirations. </p>

<p>If you speak a little to what type of college might be right for her... that will help get you advice which is on target for your particular D.</p>

<p>BTW, actually getting credit at the college where the student eventually matriculates is only of interest to some students. Some colleges are liberal with such credit; some very stingy. Some will allow advanced standing and thus quicker finish to college (and possible $ savings); some won't allow that. Some want you to repeat courses even if you had high AP scores and could get credit, if it is a field in or critically important to your major. They want to make sure you have the strongest of foundations in such classes and there can be great variability in the caliber of AP preparation.</p>

<p>jmmom, I don't think the AP classes for college credit is really the priority in my D's case. I have a friend who's pushed her D since the 2nd gr. having her skip 1st. and later taking college classes concurrently w/ hs. She'll be graduating at 16 w/an AA and diploma. But she doesn't know what she wants to do in college or even where she's going. My DH and I want our D to have a full college experience - try different subjects and find her direction. She's into math and science but only realized this recently. She's been overshadowed by some very strong (and over achieving) personalities (friends and family) and I'm proud that she's holding her own. Still talking to her abot specific schools.</p>

<p>It's also important to consider what type school you plan to apply to. UC schools, for example, only give weighted credit for 8 semesters (4 classes) of AP / Honors classes. Unless your child gets all As, taking more AP/Honors classes than that can actually hurt their GPA. Private schools, on the other hand, have the freedom to consider the full load of AP/Honors.</p>