Alessandra Gass, Features Editor
@agasscourant
College application season is right around the corner, and with that comes immense amounts of additional stress for high school seniors. Sought-after top-tier universities sift through countless applications each year, sending letters of acceptance mainly to overachieving students that present extensively rigorous transcripts. In order to attain admittance to selective schools, numerous students opt to enroll in challenging courses specializing in certain topics. While some choose to take grade-level or honors courses, those up for the challenge enroll in classes offered by the College Board, also known as Advanced Placement (AP) Courses.
A large portion of AP classes offered by both the College Board and NCHS reside within the social studies department. “Within offered social studies courses, there is Micro Economic, Macro Economics, Psychology, US History, Comparative Government, US Government, and many more,” Counselor Lindsay Reihl said. “Based on numbers, the majority of kids taking AP classes are taking some version of social studies.”
However, students who feel stronger in other subjects – like STEM or Mathematics – are still given the opportunity to take advantage of AP classes. “Within the math department, there’s Calculus AB and BC, Statistics, and other elective math courses; and in the science department there’s Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics 1 + C,” Ms. Reihl said. “There are a multitude of options, regardless if you’re a humanities-oriented student or favor courses that are revolve around STEM topics.”
The environment of an Advanced Placement class is known to be more rigorous than that of grade-level classes, regardless of subject matter. “AP classes cover more material and move faster, and students are expected to comprehend and apply what they learn at a faster rate than students in grade-level classes,” senior Caroline Underwood said. “Additionally, students in AP classes may be expected to learn coursework on their own more than students in grade-level classes.”
Despite the intensity of an advanced course, students currently enrolled in AP classes are appreciative of the skills they’re strengthening. “The experience in AP classes is very rewarding, and while they are significantly more work than normal level classes, I enjoy being challenged,” junior Sloane Griffiths said. “Succeeding in these classes is more satisfying than doing well in grade-level or honors classes, and being in class with other people who are pushing themselves helps motivate you to push yourself.”
It’s difficult to assess the overall AP experience as a high school student, as you’re unable to grasp the full picture. Julie Song, alumni and former Courant Editor-in-Chief, reflects positively on her experience in high-school level advanced classes. “There is a bit of a learning curve and some grind during the adjustment period, but once you get a handle on the class and the teacher’s style, the classes are a great way to expose yourself to more expansive and in-depth material,” Julie said. “While it can be stressful if you compound AP classes, the teachers and your peers are always there to alleviate some of that burden.”
Students are taught a multitude of diverse skills within AP classes, as not each revolves around the particular subject matter. “Ultimately, we hope that the students walk away with more advanced critical thinking skills. That’s really what we focus on in all of our classes, and in a way, that’s more important than the physical content,” Mr. Michael Forcucci, Social Studies Department Chair, said. “Realistically, the actual content isn’t going to stick long-term. Being able to draw original and thoughtful conclusions about certain topics is the overall goal, which can be a challenge for a lot of kids who are used to being given a list of information to memorize and then be tested on.
A common complaint amongst students is that the gap between AP classes and grade-level classes is too large. “There can be a significant difference in terms of the course structure as AP classes do have a guideline and are geared towards preparing for the cumulative AP Exam, so there is less flexibility,” Julie said. “Implementing additional challenging courses that aren’t necessarily AP-level would be a great way for students to explore an academic interest without the rigidity of the advanced placement environment. It would allow for kids to take AP in fields they’re passionate about and honors in those they’re not.”
“The largest gap occurs in science and math when going from M3 to an M4/AP one is a tremendous jump, and the difference between grade-level physics and AP physics is significant. However, in humanities, the gap between regular classes and AP classes is marginal,” Sloane said. “Overall, I believe there is a significant gap in the STEM field, but for humanities courses, the gap is definitely smaller.”
Advanced placement courses are intimidating, but students and teachers alike recommend taking the leap if you feel genuinely interested in a subject and would like to expand your knowledge in it. “The teachers at NCHS are ready to accommodate you and sometimes an academic challenge can display nuances about your learning style and productivity that could be crucial in your future. If it turns out that the class isn’t right for you, there are places to go for support,” Julie said. “However, what’s most important is your own well-being and making sure this AP class is going to help you in your academic journey, not hurt you or cause too much stress.”
“Getting the AP credit definitely pays off as far as getting college credit in high school. It can really open a lot more doors for students, by waiving some prerequisite requirements,” Ms. Reihl said. “If a college requires every single freshman to take a lab science, but you’ve taken AP Biology, then you wouldn’t have to do that and you’d have an opening in your schedule to take something you’re more interested in.”
However, AP courses are not an absolute necessity for success in college. “I believe that AP classes are taken by so many people at the high school because they “look good”, but being at UVA now, I don’t think the number of AP classes students take is a key factor in how prepared students are for college,” former Courant Editor-in-Chief Kate Hunter said. “In my opinion, AP classes group highly motivated students together, teach individual study habits, and make transcripts look more rigorous when applying to college. Some of my friends here came from schools that don’t offer AP courses and they are still succeeding.”
Success in any AP class revolves around your motivation to take the class; simply enrolling yourself in an advanced course because you feel it will enhance your college application will ultimately hinder your experience in the class. “There’s so much extrinsic motivation. Colleges say ‘we want to see the most rigorous program of study you can take,’ but again, it has to be appropriate for the student. If you want to be a journalism major, you don’t need to take AP Physics.” Ms. Reihl said. “There is pressure for students to take more and more and more, when really, that’s not always the best choice.”
“Only take AP courses in subjects that you find interesting. Taking an AP class in a subject you don’t care about is a lot of work for a slim reward,” Kate said. “Despite the small boost of class rigor it gives, taking an AP course in a subject that doesn’t interest you is not worth it: it’s important that students take classes for the right reasons.”
All in all, the courses you’ve selected should reflect your interests and strengths, as you’ll be set up for success. “I would definitely recommend taking AP classes, but only in areas/courses that you think you are truly passionate about,” Julie said. “Think smart about your time and resources, as well as what you might be interested in taking in college. Lining up your personal interests, future academic goals, and current schedule with AP course load is key.”
