Advanced Placement Credit

This is the typical scenario:

A proud parent and her highly motivated student arrive on campus to discuss why this university should consider this student. "I've completed all my General Education requirements through AP classes," beams the student. As an academic advisor, I stifle a groan.

A large number of students enter universities today with Advanced Placement (AP) credit. It's a good thing. It provides college credit toward degrees at no cost, and it allows students to be challenged in courses more rigorous than typical high school courses. AP credit can also free students from summer enrollment requirements. Students enrolling in Florida state universities will not be required to complete summer hours if they enroll with at least 9 hours of Advanced Placement credit.

Parents and students often feel that AP credit should substitute for college credit, and in some cases, this is OK. Sometimes, though, it's important to understand that university or college level courses might be more demanding than AP courses considered to be "equivalent".

If your student is completing AP credits, here are some things to think about:

• What is your expectation for preparation for college level courses?
• How much AP credit do you expect to apply to a Bachelor's degree?
• Will high school AP credit provide the necessary foundation for future courses?

AP courses are more rigorous than other high school classes. Students must pass a standardized test in order to receive college credit. Passing that test does not necessarily mean that a student has mastered all the concepts taught in the "equivalent" course at the college level. Depending on the program of study your student intends to follow, it can often be best to consider AP courses as foundation courses, preparing students to excel in the equivalent university level course.

Exceptionally talented students are often subjected to pressure to "be ahead." Usually, they live up to the demand. But it can be in a good student's best interest to start math and science sequences at the college level. Frequently, concepts covered in the first college level class are beyond what was covered in AP classes. Professional schools of medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine will expect to see foundation course work done at the university level.

The first freshman term is a transitional term. Your student will be living away from home for the first time, she'll have a new roommate, she'll be faced with new decisions. Do you really want her to go into Calculus 2 based on just her high school work? An "A" in Calculus 1 could go a long way to reducing stress during the transitional semester, making sure your student has the proper foundation knowledge, and achieving a strong grade point average.

Talk to the advisors in your student's program. They are best suited to help you determine placement. Do not assume that credit for an AP class is necessarily equivalent to mastery of skills at the college level. Give careful consideration to the consequences of completing all "General Education" requirement through AP credits. You might be eliminating opportunities to explore possibilities at the college level.

You only get to be an undergraduate once. Opportunities for internships, study abroad, and research abound. AP credit can provide many advantages for students, provided that they fully understand the courses how Advanced Placement work fits into the college program of study.