To AP or not: ‘Tis the question

Freshmen stay diligent in math teacher Tom Larsen’s Honors Geometry class. Photo by Zoë Evans-Agnew
Freshmen stay diligent in math teacher Tom Larsen’s Honors Geometry class. Photo by Zoë Evans-Agnew

Since information about the 2016-17 class registration arrived on Feb. 17 and advising appointments are this week, Bellarmine students have to make decisions about what classes they will take next year.

Currently there are 15 AP classes and 10 Honors classes offered at Bellarmine, which many students take not only because they have a love of learning, but because they feel these classes look better on a college application.

Allison Kelly, junior, says she has gained better study and organization skills in her advanced classes. She says she decides to take more advanced classes because she believes, “The harder you work, the more it pays off.”

Bellarmine is a college prep school, so the regular classes are at an elevated level, leaving many students wondering whether they need to enroll in these highly stressful courses.

Rene Power, a counselor at Bellarmine states, “[Colleges] look at the program in the school and because we are at a college prep school that already works in your [students] favor.”

What is the true impact of these classes, and do they actually improve chances of getting into college?

Julie McCulloh, Dean of Admission at Gonzaga University, says, “We like to see a student challenge themselves but not to the point of breaking. Many students can handle 1 or 2 Honors or AP level in the first and second years of high school; we like to see 2 AP or Honors in Junior year and in Senior year if a student can manage that.”

McCulloh stresses, however, that it is all about balance. The greater purpose of these advanced classes is to challenge students to prepare for the rigor of college. “I like the phrases — ‘Bend don’t break’ or ‘stretch don’t snap’ when choosing courses. It is important to challenge oneself; there is rich material to dig into and appreciate, and challenging courses help develop good academic discipline. However, over-committing may lead to a student not absorbing the great course material available to him or her. Remember, the goal is learning!”

Other admissions counselors echo this statement; the student’s priority should be to know their learning style and then challenge themselves.

Junior Kristina White says that she takes AP and Honors classes because, “I’m an academic person so I like the challenge and I like to take the hard courses.” White and Kelly both agree that they take advanced classes to challenge themselves, but admit they also want to look good for colleges.

Carlos Williams, Assistant Director of Office of Admissions at the University of Washington says, “There is no one right answer that applies to all students. Making the decision to take a class that is more academically rigorous is personal, and is not to be taken lightly. Self-awareness of one’s strengths and goals is always a good place to start when approaching this type of decision.” However, Williams also states that, “A curriculum that is made up entirely of college-prep courses will not be seen as rigorous as one that has at least some AP courses.”

Although admissions counselors agree that students should find their own individual academic path, they want to see at least a few advanced classes. This appears as a clear cut answer, yet these courses often contain unintended consequences.

These classes have the potential to reduce students’ overall GPAs, and many students argue that AP and Honors classes are too stressful and the only reason they are motivated to take these courses is to get into a better college.

Gonzaga Dean of Admission Julie McCulloh says that “AP Physics and AP Calc can be tough, so a C is common and understandable.”

However, Williams states that, “In the end, one or two B grades in Honors or AP courses probably will not have a negative effect in the admission decision, but a lot of B grades could.” Clearly, different colleges approach these advanced classes in different ways, so that is why many students stress about whether a lower grade in an AP or Honors course will negatively affect their admissions.

Ultimately colleges want to see students excel, but challenge themselves, and balance is key. Megan Beresford, ED.M., Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Washington Tacoma, says her suggestions for students when deciding on their course schedule are simple. “Do what is best for YOU. Challenge yourself and talk to your teachers! Your teachers are going to be able to best guide you into the next level of the subject they teach. They will likely provide you with the best perspective on what you can take on next. Don’t forget to enjoy your classes. If you sing, be in the choir. If you love working out, take PE. Just don’t forget the importance of those core subjects.”

Power seems to agree with many of the admissions counselors, “It’s by student…there is a stress to AP and Honors and people have to be able to balance that.” Power also says it is important for the student to challenge themselves in their areas of strength, or in the field they hope to work in one day. “Maybe you want to be an engineer, so you are going to concentrate on AP math and science and then maybe not take the AP track for English and Social Studies because you are trying to get a balance.”

Most counselors agree on the importance of AP and Honors classes, but ultimately the deciding factor is the student. However, this still leaves many students questioning whether a lower grade in an advanced class will be the deciding factor in their college admissions