Should I take AP Gov as a junior?

Question

I have an A in Honors English/History, but these are the only Honors level courses that I am taking in high school as I am not a genius. However, I do like History and English and I do want to become a journalist or something that involves writing and creativity.

So what are the advantages of taking an AP course? Do you need to have one to get into a state university or a good private school (Ivy Leagues excluded)?

Answer 1

The more AP classes you take, the better you look to any college. That's because they're considered nearly college level classes. Do well in them, and it shows the college you can likely do well in a college level course.

Any good school is going to look down on someone who's school offered AP classes but chose not to take them. They're taking the easy way out basically.

Colleges also usually bump up your grade point for the AP class. Say you got a B in AP Gov. Normally, that's a 3.0. However, because it's an AP class, the college will consider it a 4.0.

AP Gov is pretty easy. Should be easier than both AP English and AP History. If you're just going to take one AP, it's AP Gov should be the easiest out of the subjects you mentioned.

I took the AP Comparative Gov't test b/c it was free. It came after the US Gov/Civics test and they said those of us who wanted to stay and take it, could take it. Me and my buddy ran down to the local public library during the lunch break, checked out 3 childrens books on the countries they chose, read the few pages and took the test. We both passed.

Answer 2

If you pass the AP test, you would get high school credits and college credits for that subject. You do not have to take AP courses in order to get accepted into a university but it sure looks good on your transcripts. If you pass the test with a certain score, (I think depending on which college) you do not have to take it again and would be bump up to the next level. For example, if I took the AP Calculus test and passed with a 5, I would be qualified to take Calc. B or Calc. C, rather than taking Calc. A when I enter as a freshman chem major. If Calc. is not required for my major, it would fulfill as a general education requirement for the degree if the college accepts course. I had some friends who came entered college as a sophmore status because they took AP classes and courses at the city college. I'm from California, so I don't know if the same applies to other states.

Answer 3

I am a senior this year taking 4 AP classes, chemistry, english, world history, and calculus. I would look at some of the colleges you are considering to apply to and see if they offer credits for AP exams. If not then you might want to take regular level classes. ALso remember you can take the class but it will do you NO good unless you take and pass the $80 AP exam that is in may for each AP class you take. They are very difficult and its often a crap shoot on whether someone passes or not. You must pass these exams in order to receive the credits in college.

Answer 4

The other people have given you advantages (which are true) but let me give you the other side of the story.

No, you do not need them to get into a state of good private school. You need a good SAT/ACT score. If you spend the time you would have spent doing to extra work for AP class into studying for the SAT/ACT, you will be better off.

AP Classes are much harder than even honors classes, and for sure they are harder than the college class that you are tring to take the AP exam to get credit for.

I took several AP classes and exams. There were some that I got a "3" on the AP exam and had to take the class in college anyway (because my college only took 4s & 5s).

All of the AP exams are (except maybe Calculus) are freshman blow off easy classes in college. I kinda felt a little "robbed".

Get a 28+ on your ACT or 1300+ on your SAT and no state school or private college will do more than glance at your transcripts.

Answer 5

CONSIDER IF THE TEACHER IS GOOD OR GREAT FOR AN AP CLASS...YES COLLEGES LIKE TO SEE THAT YOU MADE THE EFFORT TO TAKE AN AP CLASS IT IS COMPETITVE SO THEY
USE IT AS A FACTOR

Answer 6

They help better prepare you for the classes in a university. They are generally weighted, therefore improving your GPA.