1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Apply
  • Chat

AP Classes: Are They Worth It?

AP Classes: Are They Worth It?

Aug 12, 2020

Taking AP (or Advanced Placement) classes in high school can help you prepare for college-level courses and earn credit toward a college degree. Are they worth the extra work and stress? Here are some pros and cons to help you decide:

PRO:

  • AP coursework prepares students better for the rigors of a college classroom

PRO:

  • Selective schools EXPECT that you will have taken them.

CON:

  • GPA rules! That’s particularly true for less selective schools as well as for many scholarships. APs are not a factor at these schools. An ‘A’ is an ‘A.’

PRO:

  • AP courses are smaller, cheaper and, most students say “a whole lot easier” than the equivalent college course. Load up.

CON:

  • If you get AP credit, you’ll end up taking upper-level classes as a college freshman before you have gotten used to the pace of college coursework.

THE JURY’S OUT:

  • Does admissions look more favorably at a ‘B’ in an AP class than an ‘A’ in a regular class? Ask 50 admissions officers, and you’ll get 50 different answers!

Your best bet: Take the AP class and work your tail off to get an ‘A.’

 

Follow us:
Written by

Valerie Pierce and Cheryl Rilly

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the article titled How Do I Get a Physical Therapy Degree in the USA?
How Do I Get a Physical Therapy Degree in the USA?
Main image for the article titled How Do I Get a Design Degree in the USA?
How Do I Get a Design Degree in the USA?
Main image for the article titled Chico State Helps Rebuild Communities
Chico State Helps Rebuild Communities
Main image for the article titled American Slang Words You Need to Know in 2023
American Slang Words You Need to Know in 2023
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Education First Honolulu

Education First Honolulu

$10,000 — $15,000 Quarter

English Programs
Contact
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

$30,000—$35,000 Year

Certificate/Short Term Summer English Programs
Contact
Lawrence University

Lawrence University

$50,000—$60,000 Year

Secondary/Boarding English Programs Bachelor Degree
Contact

Featured Programs

University of Mississippi

Typical cost per Semester: $10,000 — $15,000

Bachelor Degree Masters Secondary/Boarding
Learn More

Arizona State University-Global Launch Intensive English Program

Typical cost per Session: $1,000—$5,000

Certificate/Short Term Summer English Programs
Learn More

Mission College

Typical cost per Semester: $1,000—$5,000

Bachelor Degree Summer English Programs
Learn More

Related Stories

MBA Programs in the United States

Main image for the article titled MBA Programs in the United States
Choosing a Business Program in the United States

Main image for the article titled Choosing a Business Program in the United States
MBA Programs in the USA

Main image for the article titled MBA Programs in the USA
Graduate Education in the United States

Main image for the article titled Graduate Education in the United States

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for Renters Insurance

Renters Insurance

SURE offers hassle-free renters insurance that'll protect your clothes, furniture, and even yourself from unexpected damages and injuries. The SURE team will get you set up with a free quote and the correct coverage that you need!

Read more
Partner service logo for Kaplan International Languages

Kaplan International Languages

Kaplan International Languages is one of the world’s largest and most diverse education providers, we’ve been helping students to achieve outstanding language results for over 80 years. Students can learn English, French, and German.

Read more
Partner service logo for Cturtle

Cturtle

The JOB+ Career Accelerator gives you the work experience, career coaching and professional network you need to get a great graduate job.

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

I found a lot of information about different colleges and exchanged emails with people from StudyUSA to get more information about the process. StudyUSA.com has been very helpful for me!

Mikaela Roel Perez Uruguay

I have previously read articles and resources on SAT and TOEFL as well as life as an international student on the 'Study in the USA' website.

Joanna Kolawole Nigeria

At first It helped me find an school then I applied those schools through StudyUSA.com and I get more information from those schools and enrolled in school.

Mohamed Ahmed Adam Turkey

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    العربيـة English Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.