My son, who just started his junior year with a 3.2 GPA, does not have any AP classes on his schedule.
Is it better to maintain or improve upon his GPA with no AP’s or take one or more AP class but risk the GPA suffering because of difficutly of classes.
Should he try to take at least one AP class his senior year, or will it be too late by then?
I think it is good to show that you have challenged yourself, at least in one area. If school has already started, I’m not sure I would suggest at this point changing to an AP class (in our school they have significant summer work to prepare, so a student changing now would already be behind), although I suppose it could be done if he’s motivated to catch up.
I don’t think senior year is too late, as it will appear on his college applications, and he can submit first quarter/semester update showing progress. He should choose AP in a subject area (or 2) that he is particularly interested/comfortable in (math, science, history, etc).
When you apply to colleges, there is some kind of indication the counselor is supposed to Mark related to the student’s schedule, and if it was considered “hardest available” or something like that. If the school has many APs available, and your student isn’t taking any, that might cut down the chance of acceptance at some schools. But for most state schools, for example, it may not matter.
^ Well, the schools looking for the hardest curriculum usually are looking for high GPA’s as well.
I think it’s most important to figure out interests and motivations.
Could he try to take one 'easier ’ AP this year, and then senior year an AP in the area that interests him most?
Easier AP CS include Human geography, Environmental science, Statistics, and Psychology.
Computer science principles isn’t easy per se, but different from other AP 's.
I’d talk to the guidance counselor to decide appropriate placement. The rigor of AP classes can vary from school to school and from class to class. You don’t want him in a class that will be way over his head and taking one AP won’t make a huge difference one way or another.
It will also matter what class he gives up to fit in the AP class. For example IMO he it would not be worth trading a core class such as physics for AP Environmental Science.
i agree with the above posters…it would be good to try to find AP classes he could reasonably take…if you think about it, AP is a semester college class taught over a whole year in HS…it will help him to get used to the rigor of college classes.
I agree with @bopper. GPA preservation isn’t the only goal for your son. If he intends to go to college (safe assumption since you’re on this site), then you want him to sample college-level workloads and expectations. He’s not vying for Stanford – so packing the transcript with APs to bolster how he “looks” shouldn’t be your goal. See what his GC would recommend and see how he expresses himself. There’s no absolute answer here. Good luck
Some APs are a semester college class taught over a whole year in HS, meaning that the pace is slower than that of a college class.
Others are a full year of college-level work taught over a whole year in HS, meaning that the pace is the same as that of a college class.
^ but 'easy ’ AP 's are slow paced compared to college, and are a good way to ‘dip our toes in’ as a preparation for college for kids who haven’t had super rigorous schedules yet.
Right, but even a “slow” AP is faster paced than a college prep or honor class.
Yes, @bopper, and I think that’s a good reason for a student with a 3.2 GPA to try one or two as a senior. It gives a little taste of what’s to come. But perhaps that student might think twice about choosing one of the APs where the workload may feel overwhelming, such as BC Calculus or U.S. History. Something a little milder, like AB Calculus, Psychology, or one of the English courses, might work out better.
The English AP’s are a LOT of work, especially AP Lit. AP Calculus AB requires precalculus, preferably honors, as a junior (many students take that as seniors).
Possibilities:
AP Physics 1 and APES are relatively easier (AP Physics 1 IS physics so requires a good grasp of math); AP Stats for a student who isn’t very math-minded and may struggle with calculus; AP Psychology as a light introduction to the subject; AP Human Geography which is a “gateway to AP” class and would be perfect to introduce a student to the level of rigor; AP CS Principles which isn’t so much “easier” as “taught differently”, with lots of hands on experience; APMacro economics, which is a semester class, would likely be easy enough if taught over one full year…
I am going to be the contrarian here. APs are supposed to be college level courses. Not everyone in high school is ready for them, even the ones that move at a slower pace than the equivalent college course would. If there’s a particular AP that interests him and he’s fulfilled whatever his high school thinks is an appropriate pre-requisiste (which may be nothing at all), by all means, he can try it out. But probably a good 75% of the colleges in this country have kids who have taken no APs.
What kind of college is he targeting? Some big state schools don’t really look at rigor as much as GPA. Also, don’t assume that he won’t do just as well in an AP class. What are the pre-reqs for the AP classes?
I don’t think it is necessary, but can be something of a preparation for college.
A 3.2 GPA does not mean he couldn’t take an AP class and do well, assuming it is a topic of interest and he is willing to do the work.
What major and schools are your son aiming for?
I would have him take at least one in an area of study that interests him.
My son is taking his first 2 AP classes his senior year, he wasn’t interested last year. He usually takes all Honors classes. He picked 2 APs that relate to his planned college major. Hopefully it shows that he has interest in that field and that he can handle the rigors of college.
I would still say there is no hard and fast rule. For example in our HS students have to test/place into the APs. The classes are taught at a level well above what is required by the AP curriculum and are basically filled with kids aiming Ivy and equivalent type schools. Your S could get crushed in a class like that. In contrast, in many HS’s have open enrollment for APs and your S may be just fine. My S did just fine in a very good college without taking APs in HS, but the regular HS classes in our district are pretty rigorous.
I doubt that taking one AP will make a huge difference in terms of college admissions. And the rigor of your son’s overall curriculum will depend on what he is taking the AP in place of (ex. taking non-AP physics may be more rigorous than taking AP Enviro., taking non-AP calculus may be more rigorous than taking AP Stat etc…but if he adds a class like AP Psych instead of study hall or elective that could be worthwhile).
Again IMO, it depends on the school, it depends on the class, it depends on the teacher. Seek out that school specific guidance.
And I am also going to be contrarian. I kind of don’t see the point of your son taking APs if he has no interest. He is not applying to Harvard. One or two APs will have very little impact on his transcript. If he is motivated to get all As in regular courses, I think he should maintain that goal. If he feels comfortable doing an AP as a senior, he should, but one AP isn’t going to impress colleges. However, it could be a challenge and nice way to introduce himself to some harder coursework without overdoing it.
Thanks for the input @MYOS1634.
My kids said that the English APs were easier than honors English, but that may reflect the nature of the honors English curriculum in their school system, rather than the APs themselves.