A High Schooler's Guide to Taking AP Courses

Summary:

Advanced Placement (AP) classes can make getting into the college of your choice easier, if you do well on the tests. Here are the top AP classes as well as online options to consider.

• AP biology
• AP calculus
• AP chemistry
• AP English literature and composition or AP English language and composition
• AP U.S. history
• AP world history

Advanced placement (AP) classes are college-level courses that enable you to earn college credit while still in high school. AP classes and exams are offered at nearly all U.S. high schools. If you are a student with good grades and are driven to achieve acceptance to the college of your choice, AP participation offers some great advantages. According to the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS), there are a total of 38 AP classes, however the most common core subjects include:

• AP biology
• AP calculus
• AP chemistry
• AP English literature and composition or AP English language and composition
• AP U.S. history
• AP world history

Here’s what one source said about on the worthiness of AP classes:

“Students who participate in the AP program take, on average, three courses during their high school years. The most popular are English language & composition, U.S. history, English literature & composition, U.S. government & politics, world history, psychology and calculus AB. Of course, there are some students who take 10 or more exams, earning enough credits to potentially complete a year of college before ever stepping foot on campus.”

It’s worth noting that you’ll do better on college applications if you have one AP class that you ace rather than to have multiple AP classes with mediocre results.

Why do AP classes matter?

There are significant advantages to doing well in AP classes. According to NSHSS, these include:

• Earn college credit: Many colleges and universities deliver college credit to those students who do well on AP exams. So, you’ll be able to earn college credits before you start college, saving both time and money.
• Be prepared for the rigors of college: AP courses are tougher than high school curricula. AP classes give you a taste of what awaits you in college; this is a huge advantage.
• Stand out on college applications: Doing well on AP courses gives you an advantage over competitors. College admissions officers look for those students who excel on AP exams. It says ‘ this student is serious and ready for college.’
• Boost critical thinking skills: AP classes help you analyze both sides of an issue so that you can argue your point with objectivity and data. This is an essential skill for anyone who aspires to a future in the law, science, government, or business.

Where to start?

Let’s say your high school doesn’t offer AP courses, or you’d like to get some practice before committing to an AP class at your school, Prelum can help. Online college prep is a great way to test out subjects before you dive into AP. Pre-college programs offer a range of study options including enrichment courses, college-credit bearing courses, or a combination of both. For instance,Prelum partner school Georgetown University offers both credit and non-credit bearing options. If you’re interested in earning college credit while you’re still in high school, you can choose from these subjects:

1. Biology (3 credits)
2. Psychology (3 credits)

What do these courses have to offer?

College Credit-Bearing Courses

Biology: The Science of Cells and Innovation will answer key questions, such as:

• How do scientists make new discoveries about cells, and how do cells organize?
• What’s the connection between cell organization and human disease?
• How do scientists use tools like microscopy to advance their knowledge?

Topics in this course will introduce you to college majors related to biology, everything from scientific research to medicine to epidemiology, and much more. Study with Heidi Elmendorf, Ph.D., associate professor of biology at Georgetown University. If you choose the college credit option, you will have the opportunity to add an  impressive credential to your resume.

Psychology: How The Brain Influences Behavior reveals causes of emotional disorders, such as social media, drug abuse, learning disabilities, and brain injuries. You’ll create your own multimedia presentation to communicate your findings, explore future college majors and careers, and complete a Final Capstone Project to earn college credit.

Beyond these two credit-bearing courses, Prelum offers a rich array of enrichment courses for high school students. 

College Enrichment Courses

Georgetown also offers a wide range of non-credit-bearing enrichment courses spanning a number of exciting subjects like law, medicine, business, marketing, and more.

If you’d like to try out some other online enrichment courses to see if related AP classes are something you might want to pursue in high school, Prelum partners with a host of top universities. Here are a few course options:

Wake Forest University offers an online course in psychology entitled Psychology, The Mystery and Science of Human Behavior. Wake Forest’s Pre-College Program is also where you’ll find Bioscience: An Inside Look at Infectious Diseases. This top research school has a wealth of additional online course options in areas such as business, medicine, and law. Courses are taught through engaging video content by Wake Forest professors, include support from expert mentors, and culminate with a final project.

And let’s not forget the University of Notre Dame. You’ll find online pre-college courses in business, law, psychology and biology. Classes are taught by Notre Dame faculty through dynamic video lessons. You’ll work with interactive tools, complete a Final Capstone Project, and earn a Certificate of Completion.

Whether you choose to go for college credit courses or just try out a subject, Prelum’s online college prep is a great place to start your future.