Three Reasons to Take Your First AP Course
It’s never too late to take an AP course and empower your high school journey. The benefits of enrolling in an AP course are huge.
From standing out from other college applicants to developing your skills to discovering your possible career, AP courses give you an edge. Consider taking your first AP course and launch your academic journey.
Here are three reasons to take your first AP course:
1. Stand Out to Colleges
Seeing an AP course on your application shows colleges of your choice that you’re serious about your education and willing to challenge yourself. AP courses allow you to explore your potential.
Check out 40 AP courses on subjects you’re passionate about and that can showcase your talents. Ask your high school counselor about the courses available to you.
2. Boost Your GPA and Graduation Prospects
Research shows that students who take even one AP course tend to have a higher first-year college GPA and increase their chances of graduating in four years.
AP courses help you develop critical thinking and study skills essential for college success. Do you have an idea of what college major or potential career you might want to pursue? You can connect AP to majors and careers for ideas about choosing high school courses that support your goals.
By excelling in the right AP course for you, you can improve your high school GPA. Some high schools will weight AP honors higher than other courses, so success in an AP course further boosts your GPA and college applications.
3. Save Money on College Tuition
A big benefit of taking an AP course is the potential to earn college credit. By scoring well on the AP Exam, you can earn credits that allow you to skip introductory courses in college.
This can potentially save you thousands of dollars in tuition fees, as well as giving you more flexibility to pursue other interests or advanced courses.
Tools to Help You Choose
- Took a PSAT-related test or SAT? Check out your student score report to see if you have AP Potential™ for a particular course. But remember, AP potential can be calculated only for certain courses and is only one measure of the likelihood of success.
- Interested in a particular major or career path? Use this tool to find AP courses that match up with particular majors or career paths. Plus, check out this related article.
- Have a college list already? Review the credit policies of colleges you’re interested in to find out if they offer credit, advanced placement, or both for qualifying AP scores.