AP Classes And College Admissions
Super Admin
👑Now that we know what AP classes are, let's discuss the potential benefits and the impact on admissions. Some of the benefits:
-College Credit: Most AP colleges give students college credit for scoring a 3 or 4+ on the exam (varies from college to college so we recommend checking with the schools your child may want to go to)
-Weighted GPA Credit: Some high schools offer a weighted GPA for AP classes which means that an AP class grade will carry .5 more weight than a regular grade. For example, in a regular class, an A would be 4 GPA points. An A in an AP class would be worth 4.5 instead.
Next, let's discuss what this means for college admissions.
Taking AP classes demonstrates to admissions officers that you are willing to challenge yourself academically and take on rigorous, college-level coursework. This can show your commitment to learning and your ability to handle college-level material. Taking AP classes can also help you stand out among other applicants, as it shows your dedication to academic excellence and your willingness to go above and beyond the standard curriculum. Additionally, earning high scores on AP exams can potentially earn you college credit, allowing you to bypass introductory courses and delve deeper into your major.
Weighted GPAs can have an impact on college admissions by providing context to your academic performance. Weighted GPAs take into account the difficulty level of your courses, typically giving more weight to honors, AP, or IB classes. Admissions officers consider weighted GPAs to assess your academic achievements in relation to the opportunities available to you. A higher weighted GPA can demonstrate your ability to excel in challenging coursework and may give you an advantage in the admissions process.
Comments
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I'm curious to see what everyone's thoughts are on students taking AP classes vs standard dual enrollment? My daughter's counselor really pushed AP classes, but honestly I feel like it was just because they are taught by the schools teachers and just more accessible for students. When I spoke with some of my team members here at Kaplan, they seemed more in favor of dual enrollment because students would be exposed to college and could potentially gain more credits? Thoughts?
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