Advanced Placement courses, more known as AP courses, are college-level courses offered in high school that allow students to prepare for college-level work.
Lakes High School offers many AP courses including AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Literature, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, etc. These challenging courses can be overwhelming at first, thus thorough research is needed to prepare. Nathan Sanders, a junior at LHS who is taking several AP classes, shared his thoughts that, “AP classes are mostly beneficial, but I feel like there are few cons. The pros are the college credit you can earn by cheap, cheap high school classes. The cons are extra workload and rigorous course materials. Personally, I feel very intellectually challenged. Sometimes the complex material could be hard to digest.”
Knowing the pros and cons can help you decide whether taking specific AP courses could benefit your high school academics.
Below is a compilation of both my personal experience in taking four AP classes my senior year and information provided by Connectusfund.org’s article, “15 Biggest Pros and Cons of AP Classes – ConnectUS, and Forbes’ “Explore AP Courses’ Pros And Cons Before Signing Up”.
Pros of AP Courses*
College Credit and Cost Savings
-With enough effort, taking AP courses could lead to potential to earn college credit (scoring typically a 3 or higher, depending on the college). If a student does so, they could skip introductory courses in college, saving both time and tuition costs.
Stronger College Applications
-AP courses are a great way to demonstrate academic ambition. Taking them demonstrates the ability to handle rigorous coursework to colleges.
Preparation for College Workload
-AP courses are designed based on college courses. Taking them helps students develop skills like time management, critical thinking, and independent study habits.
Cons of AP Courses*
Heavy Workload and Stress
-AP courses require significant time and effort. Between homework, projects, and studying for the AP exam, the workload can be overwhelming, especially for students balancing multiple AP classes, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs.
Not All Colleges Accept AP Credit
-AP courses can lead to college credit, but policies vary by school. Top colleges only accept high scores (4 or 5), while others accept credit starting from 3.
Potential for Burnout
-Taking too many AP courses can lead to stress and exhaustion. Some students take as many APs as possible to impress colleges, but this can backfire if grades are not good enough or if the student becomes overwhelmed.
Deciding whether to take AP courses or not can be tough, so asking students who have previously taken AP courses can help as they share their former experience about the course. Also, asking teachers or counselors for information about the course is a great way to know about the course; definitely use resources around you!
