I recently emailed my counselor about joining AP World Freshmen year. Before getting the reply I was set on the mindset that I would do AP World and set my high school “experience” on the right foot. But then her reply was just a very nice way of saying you really shouldn’t. She is also making me sign a course waiver which would make me lose the ability to drop the class. This has really scared me and I’m losing confidence on my ability to take the class. I might be overthinking this but I really don’t know what to do in this situation. Here are my classes for reference Honors Bio, Honors English, Honors Alg 2/Trig, Orchestra, MUN(this is kinda a debate class but not really its also more like a club), PE, Spanish 2, and AP World(undecided). Finally, the reasons I’m taking AP World freshmen year are the material seems interesting, I want exposure to at least 1 AP class, and I need a GPA boost because of all the unweighted classes.
Signing a ‘can’t drop’ agreement was required at our school for all AP classes. The reasoning was that AP spots were limited, the school paid for the AP exams early in the year, and you’d be taking a spot from someone else.
AP classes have a lot of reading required and are often difficult for freshmen. Many schools don’t allow freshmen in those classes. You’ll be graded against the seniors taking the class, seniors who have had 3 additional years of English composition, of reasoning, of history background. Only you (and your GC) can decide if you’ll match up.
Follow the advice of your GC.
This is normal.
Is AP World the “typical” social studies course for freshmen on the honors track? If not, what is?
Not a valid reason to take an AP class, particularly if it’s not the usual freshman class.
Does your high school offer AP Human Geography (AP HUGE)? That is the typical freshman “honors” social studies class in DD’s school. It is considered one of the easiest AP classes (easier than AP World, at least in our HS), but DD’s friends who took it reported that there was a lot of busywork.
I’ve seen guidance counselors give bad advice to incoming freshman, in both underplacement and overplacement. Not intentionally nor often, but because they don’t know the student well, and with the huge amount of kids coming in, it’s very hard to get every single decision correct. However, there should be plenty of clues that can be used to make a case. How did you do in social studies in 8th grade? Would your 8th grade SS teacher say you are ready? Are there any placement exams you could take (or have taken) to prove you’re prepared for AP World? How good are your reading scores from recent standardized tests you have taken? How much homework are you likely to have including all of your other classes? What resources are available to you if you struggle? Have you sat down with the AP World teacher and discussed the expectations and requirements of the class, and are you prepared to meet them?
Our school doesn’t make anyone sign a “no drop” waiver (but neither do they pay for everyone’s exams). This coming school year, however, the AP sign up deadline shifts to the fall (months earlier than it used to be), effectively putting a $93 drop-early-or-else insurance policy in place.
What history classes have you already taken and how, in general, have you succeeded in challenging courses to date? Needing a “GPA boost because of all the unweighted classes.” implies lots of unweighted/non-honors classes, which would be a concern with entering AP early.
How well does your counselor know you/was the decision made in conjunction with previous years’ History/etc. teachers?
What is your school’s typical sequence? Our school has APWH as the honors 10th grade class, so it would only be 1 year ahead and a Freshman wouldn’t be “up against” seniors. But we have Honors USH, a pre-req for APUSH, so skipping a year really doesn’t make sense.
You Guidance Counselor has most likely seen students take this AP class freshman year and watch them do horribly in the class.
I recommend sitting down and having an honest conversation with your Guidance Counselor about why you want to take this class and why she is recommending you don’t. There may be a reason she is not recommending it(Ex. Your school/state may not allow/recommend it).
Wanting a GPA boost in not a good reason for a freshman to take this class. If it was a junior that just messed up in a previous class and wanted a SLIGHT, GPA boost this would be ok but not in your situation.
If you are having to make a special request to take AP world then it most likely isn’t openly offered to Freshman at your school. If the course is not openly offered or considered the “Honors” route for freshman than a college will not care if you didn’t take the class.
I recommend taking to your parents about taking the class. Are they willing to pay for a tutor if your struggling? Are you going to have time to study and do Homework of a harder class?
Transitioning into high school is extremely stressful. You may end up being to stressed and not do good in the class or the fast paced environment of high school may push you to become an amazing student. You just have to understand your high school(and colleges) will hold YOU accountable for any grades you make in this class or ANY class.
I would take Honors History freshman year.
See how it goes…how all your courses go.
Remember that AP classes are supposed to be the equivalent of college courses…nobody is expecting freshmen to take AP classes.
If you get all A’s…then try an AP sophomore year.
for example, Stanford says:
We expect applicants to pursue a reasonably challenging curriculum, choosing courses from among the most demanding courses available at your school. We ask you to exercise good judgment and to consult with your counselor, teachers and parents as you construct a curriculum that is right for you. Our hope is that your curriculum will inspire you to develop your intellectual passions, not suffer from unnecessary stress. The students who thrive at Stanford are those who are genuinely excited about learning, not necessarily those who take every single AP or IB, Honors or Accelerated class just because it has that designation.
Unless it is a typical freshman class there is no need to take it as an ap freshman year. Can you take Spanish 2 as honors instead?