How Many AP Classes Are Enough?

How Many AP Classes Are Enough?

Spring signals new growth, hope, and of course, high school course registration. Each year, students and parents ask me how many AP classes should be taken. No matter the student or circumstance, the answer is always the same: “it depends.”

As parents sit on the bleachers, mingle at the water cooler at work, or go anywhere they hear other parents talking, it is easy to get caught up in a world of “shoulds,” regardless of our own realities.

At times it may feel like everyone else’s kids are taking multiple AP classes, IB courses, dual enrollment classes, applying to Harvard, and are a shoo-in for the flagship state university – all while playing 3 sports, volunteering 10 hours per week, and playing the violin at Carnegie Hall on the weekends.

While it may be that some are, most are not.

So, how does one know how many AP classes a student should take?

While it depends on each student’s individual circumstances, abilities, personality, and goals, all students should take classes that challenge them while providing the opportunity for success as the reward for effort. From a college admissions perspective, getting As and Bs in lower-level courses is typically preferable to Cs in advanced classes. Furthermore, achieving high grades in AP classes but low scores on AP tests can be a red flag on an application. At the end of the day, knowing your student and pushing them to work hard for the best possible results they can attain is key.

THE BOTTOM LINE

We are dealing with an unprecedented teen mental health crisis. While some struggles and challenges are inevitable, even helpful, too much is destructive. Students who find strength in their struggle for success are better positioned to deal with the inevitable ups and downs of college and beyond (resilience). On the other hand, overwhelmed students may become depressed, anxious, and give up. Taking the time to find the right balance serves students well. 

Tune in next week for a discussion on AP, IB, and dual enrollment.

In the meantime, please reach out with questions about high school course selection or anything related to the college admissions process at kathy@fineeducatonalsolutions.com.