Ask Ms. Blue: Are AP Classes Really Worth It?

Dear Ms. Blue –  

Help!!! I’m an international student studying in the US. I’ve heard that AP courses are very important for university admissions but I don’t even know where to start. How do I get into AP courses? How many should I be taking (and what grade should I start in)?  

Ahhh! Thank you for your guidance!  

Sincerely,  

Confused in California  

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Dear Confused in California -

I get it, diving into all these options can feel overwhelming at times. Importantly, you are asking the right questions to help you make informed course enrollment decisions. Let’s dig in!  

First, let’s start at the very beginning. What are AP courses and why are they important at all?  

Well, here’s the thing. These courses aren’t special or important simply because they are AP. They are important in the university application process because they are rigorous. When students are taking AP courses and doing well in them, they are essentially demonstrating their ability to be successful in the demanding curriculum of a university-level course. But rigorous courses come with a number of different “titles” like AP, Honors, Dual Enrollment, and more. What matters most in the course selection process is that students are finding ways to appropriately challenge themselves in the curriculum available to them.  

Next, let’s talk about getting into AP courses.  

While you may not like this answer, getting into AP courses is never as simple as just saying you want to take one. Here are the most common steps you must take to ultimately enroll in one or more AP courses.  

Review Course Offerings & Consult the Guidance Counselor: Schools typically provide information about the AP courses they offer, including course descriptions, prerequisites, and any additional requirements in a course catalog.  

Meet Pre-Requisites: This is the most overlooked and misunderstood step in signing up for AP courses. Many AP courses have prerequisites that must be successfully completed before you can enroll in them. For example, a student cannot enroll in AP Calculus if they have not yet completed Algebra II and pre-Calculus.  

Register for Courses: Schools typically have a registration process for AP courses, which may involve filling out registration forms, selecting courses, and submitting any necessary paperwork.  

How many AP courses you take will really depend on your academic ability, your English proficiency, the amount of time you are attending an AP high school, and your ability to meet the prerequisites needed for enrollment.  

At Amerigo’s Signature programs, our teams work with students annually to help them understand the process of selecting courses and choose those that are best for them.  

You've got this!

Ms. Blue

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Click here to learn more about starting your own study abroad journey through Amerigo.

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