What is Advanced Placement?

I've been hearing the term 'Advanced Placement' a lot but not really sure what it's all about. Could someone shed some light on this? How does it differ from regular classes, and how does it benefit me in terms of college admissions?

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada, created by the College Board, which offers college-level curriculum and examinations to high school students. It's designed to provide academically prepared students with the opportunity to study and learn at the college level. The fact that high school students are tackling material usually reserved for college students is one key difference between AP classes and regular ones.

Another important aspect is the AP exams at the end of the school year. These are graded on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest. Depending on how well you perform and the policies of the college you eventually attend, your scores could potentially earn you college credit or allow you to skip introductory courses in college.

In terms of college admissions, AP courses demonstrate course rigor, which is a factor admissions officers consider when reviewing applications. Taking AP classes shows colleges that you are intellectually curious, willing to challenge yourself, and capable of handling college-level work. However, while the grades you get in these classes matter, the actual AP scores carry less weight in the admissions process. Many selective schools use a method called the Academic Index, which looks at your grades and test scores (if the school is not test-blind or test-optional), and class rank (if available), but not your AP scores. It's also good to remember that although AP classes are valuable for college preparedness, the best applicants do more than just take a lot of APs. They demonstrate depth in a few areas that they are passionate about.

Just a heads up: AP classes can be more demanding than regular high school courses. They often require more reading, writing, and time spent on homework. So, it's important to have a balanced schedule and not overload yourself with too many AP classes at once. You want to be able to do well in your classes, in addition to dedicating time to extracurricular activities, test prep, and other commitments.