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Should I take as many AP courses as I can in high school even if I do not major in any of those areas?

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Eric’s Answer

Lydia


It really depends on how much time they take and what would you do with your time if you weren't taking those classes (including extra curricular activities that may help you explore different areas and develop your interests).


College classes are generally expensive so to the extent any of the AP classes will give you college credit and cover some of your basic requirements in college, I would recommend taking as many classes as possible. Two items to consider (1) Some colleges don't provide you credit for AP so confirm that the classes will give you credit and (2) make sure you have enough time to do well in the class to pass the exam with a good grade (otherwise you might not get college credit).


Hope this helps.


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James Constantine’s Answer

Hello Lydia,

Here's the enhanced version:

Embarking on Advanced Placement (AP) courses during your high school years can be advantageous for a multitude of reasons, even if you don't envision majoring in those particular fields in college. Here are some pivotal points to mull over:

1. College Readiness: AP courses provide a more intense academic journey that can equip you better for the rigors of college-level studies. Irrespective of your prospective major, the competencies and insights acquired from AP classes can bolster your success in any academic discipline.

2. College Credit: Excelling in AP exams opens the door to earning college credit or advanced standing in certain subjects. This can potentially expedite your academic journey and save you money by enabling you to bypass beginner courses or meet general education prerequisites.

3. Proven Academic Prowess: Triumphing in AP courses and exams exhibits your academic prowess to college admissions officers. It underscores your eagerness to take on challenges and thrive in a rigorous academic setting, which can fortify your college applications.

4. Expanding Your Knowledge: Even if you don't major in a specific subject tackled by an AP course, the knowledge and skills gained can still be invaluable. Diversifying your subject exposure can enhance your intellectual breadth and contribute to a well-rounded education.

5. Competitive Edge: In a cutthroat college admissions scene, boasting a strong AP course record on your transcript can distinguish you from other candidates. Admissions panels often appreciate students who have embraced challenging courses and demonstrated academic brilliance.

In summary, while it isn't imperative to take an abundance of AP courses if they don't dovetail with your intended major, there are undeniable merits to signing up for these demanding classes during high school.

Top 3 Credible Sources Utilized in Crafting this Response:

College Board: The official website of the College Board offers an in-depth understanding of the Advanced Placement Program, including the perks of undertaking AP courses and exams.

Lincoln High School (LHS): Information extracted from Lincoln High School's AP program guidelines and registration specifics was instrumental in emphasizing the significance of AP courses for high school students.

Educational Experts: Opinions from educational pundits and research on the perks of engaging in AP courses in high school were taken into account when deliberating the wider benefits of enrolling in these classes.

By amalgamating data from these credible sources, the response delivers a thorough overview of why AP courses can be beneficial for students, even if they don't foresee majoring in those particular fields.

GOD BLESS!
James Constantine Frangos.
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Rachel’s Answer

I would say absolutely take as many AP classes as possible. These courses provide FREE college credit. Once you start paying for college, you may wish that you had tested out of a semester or two of tuition.
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Marissa’s Answer

I agree with a lot of what has been said -- but I would emphasize looking at your potential college and potential major. I took the AP English class to learn that, as an English minor, the AP credit wasn't accepted as credit towards to minor (or major) and thus it didn't help me. Typically (at least at my school), you go the furthest with AP classes that are not in your desired college major. Colleges have different course requirements, so if you know your college you can see if they allow credits to substitute for the first year general education classes. This not only saves the cost of the course (can be in the thousands), but also the savings of not having to purchase books.

I would say take every AP class possible, but in my experience I don't believe 1 or 2 AP classes would've made a difference in admission, and I wasn't able to claim every AP credit (despite passing) given specific college nuances. I chose to not take AP Chem (it was a hard decision and I felt I was falling behind peers who did all AP) and I remember my classmates stressing over that class while I had a really enjoyable regular chemistry class that made me like the subject more than those who took the advanced level. By not burning myself out in my last years of college with all APs, I had more time to enjoy life and the stress of one more class made a difference. I have no regrets!

Overall, I would recommend taking every AP you can to save time and money, with the caveat: if you are not sure what your major will be or what your college will be, I would say do your best to make a judgement call on your time vs. reward -- if you're unsure that it will be worth the extra load, consider skipping an AP.
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Estelle’s Answer

I agree with Rachel. I paid for all four of my children's college, and I greatly appreciated that all of them entered into college with at least one year of college credits from AP courses. They all were able to graduate on time (some early), with no additional or unnecessary expenses.
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Simeon’s Answer

Start with the colleges you want to apply to and work backwards from there. You don't want to accidentally do all the work of studying for and doing well on an AP exam only to end up not actually needing it for college credit. Every credit you can substitute is worth the time invested, though. I was able to graduate a semester early with the AP credit I had saved up.
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