Please help! I'm a 10th grader & have questionss.......!?

Question

Hey Everyone! I'm wondering what AP classes really are. I have an option of taking AP World Studies II next year in 10th grade but am not sure if I should take it. I heard that you should only take APs in classes that actually have to do with the job/career you are interested in...is that true?...Do APs look good on your transcript and do they help you cut off time in college? (like instead of four years, you only have to go for three?)

Thank you so much! Happy Holidays!

Answer 1

At the end of AP classes, you take a test. If you get above a certain score on the test, you get college credit for taking the class. Some people have started college as a sophomore because of AP credit. Even if the classes are not in your major, they can count as electives.

Answer 2

AP classes are advanced placement classes which basically means they count for college credits (assuming that you make a decent grade on the AP test). You don't really have to take only ones that apply to your interests, you can take any that you think you will be able to handle and do well in. When I was a sophomore I took World History, which I've never enjoyed, but I passed the AP test in it. And AP classes really do help you out in college. My brother took them all through high school and now he's starting college as a sophomore instead of a freshman. The bottom line is, you should really only take it if you think you'll be able to handle it. It does pay off in the long run, although there are some downsides to it as well (i.e. extra work, more stress, etc).

You should also check with the colleges you are interested in to see if they even accept AP scores anymore. Some colleges won't take them and some will only take scores of a 4 or a 5. Still, it does help in the long run for most people.

Answer 3

AP classes are great if you can handle the workload. They are basically college level courses that you get to take for free while in high school. Then, if you pass the AP exam (usually with a 3 or above on a scale of 1-5) most colleges will give you college credit for the equivalent courses at that university. For example, I took 5 AP classes during high school, 2 English, 1 French, 1Chemistry, and 1 Calculus. I ended up with about 30 college credits before ever even going to college, and had my basic English and foreign language requirements completed as well as a head start on the math and science requirements. So basically, I had nearly a years worth of credits without having to pay for the courses, so if you are concerned about college costs these courses can save you valuable time and money. And yes, they do look excellent on your transcripts because admissions officers will see that you have already dealt successfully with college level material and that you were ambitious enough to take on these challenging courses. Finally, no you do not have to take only those courses which are related to your career. The ones that will satisfy college general education requirements (like the one you are thinking about I'd imagine) are great to take if you can. Hope this helps, and good luck with everything!

Answer 4

I think that AP classes are great. They're pretty much a college class in high school. The workloads can be intense, but the payoffs are worth it. You might want to think about saving AP's for your junior and senior years, but if you are up to the task of working diligently, you should go for it. Not only do they help prepare you for what college will be like, but they're free! You only pay to take the AP Tests, which usually occur in May. I've taken several AP's, and I found that they weren't as hard as people make them sound. As for the transcript, A's and B's in AP classes will look great. If you want to have a shot at any Ivy League or top 50 Ranked colleges, you need them. The job career thing is totally false. Most AP classes might not have anything to do with what career you might be pursuing, but they teach you alot about discipline and provide real life skills. If you take an AP class in HS, and score a 3,4, or 5 on the AP test, most colleges will exempt you from having to take that class. They probably won't cut off much time for you in college, but they will allow you to take other classes that will be more beneficial. Hope this helped!

Answer 5

The reason they look good on your transcript is because they are advanced level classes. So, the benefit is that many colleges will bump up your grade a full point. So, if you get a B or a 3.0, you'll be credited with an A or 4.0. It's how you see some people brag that they have higher than a 4.0 GPA.

Answer 6

If you can handle the classes, take every AP class you can. Some colleges will let you transfer the credits, and most will at least let you out of the basic courses, even if it isn't part of your major. I was a science major, and AP English got me out of basic English 101 and I got to take an advanced comp lit course instead. The history and gov't courses never really came in useful, but my college didn't require them - many do.

Answer 7

College criteria is getting tougher and tougher, the more AP classes the better. Remember you have to pass the course for the credit. Most colleges are looking for 5+ AP courses, high GPA'S, High ACT scores and extra involvement in your school. The higher your accomplishments the better for you, if you want to go to a better college.

Answer 8

Like the person who first responded said, if you score high enough, it counts.

They look good on your transcript.
They do not have to be related to the career you are interested in ( and besides, you may change your mind once you get to college.....)

Take it.....AP was a great challenge....I took AP History and AP English and ended up in the medical field.

Answer 9

Seems to me the best person to ask those specific questions of would be the school registrar or your academic counsellor at your high school. Some high schools offer courses to seniors that also give college credit. Glad to see you looking a head and trying to plan wisely...but you need ABSOLUTELY correct answers...no guesses. So...ask your academic counsellor at your school since different schoos may manage these things differently.