What Is AP?
What is Advanced Placement?
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program run by the College Board (they also run SAT and SAT Subject Tests) that offers high school students the chance to take college-level courses in subject that interest them. AP exams are given each year in May. View 2024 AP test dates. Depending on the AP subject, exams are typically a combination of multiple choice and essay questions. AP exams are scored out of 5. Earning a score of 4 or 5 will help students impress the admissions committee at their dream school, and it may help them opt out of required introductory level courses during your first year in college.
AP or IB?
The Advanced Placement (AP) program, established by the College Board in 1955, predates the International Baccalaureate of IB. While AP and IB both provides high school students with challenging course work AP is a program designed specifically for students in the United States and Canada with college-level courses and corresponding exams. International Baccalaureate (IB), emphasizes critical thinking and global awareness whereas AP courses enable students to earn college credit while still in high school, fulfilling educational prerequisites ahead of time.
How Does AP Work?
THINNOX is a College Board accredited school. In a typical Advanced Placement (AP) course at THINNOX, students study college-level material throughout the academic year mentored by qualified instructors who follow an approved curriculum. At the end of each course term or semester, usually around May each year, students have an opportunity to take an AP exam administered by the College Board. The exams assess students’ understanding of the subject matter and can potentially earn them college credit or advanced placement in college courses, depending on their performance. The next AP exams will be in May 2025.
Why AP? 5 Key Benefits of taking AP
1. Prepare for University/ College
AP classes are designed to mimic the rigor of college-level coursework. By enrolling in these classes, you can develop the academic skills and habits necessary for success in college. They can experience challenging material and high expectations, which can better prepare them for the academic demands of higher education.
2. Earn College Credit Save on Tuition
One of the primary advantages of taking AP classes is the opportunity to earn college credit. Many colleges and universities grant credit or advanced placement to students who score well on AP exams. Harvard loves AP students. Other elite colleges and universities that grant advanced credit or placement include Stanford, University of Toronto, Oxford, Cambridge, and University of Edinburgh. As of September 2023, The University of Waterloo recognizes AP examination results and will consider awarding transfer credits for AP courses in which normally a minimum final grade of 4 is attained. This can potentially allow you to graduate early, save money on tuition at the best colleges, or have the flexibility to pursue a double major or additional elective course. If your college offers AP credit, a score of a 4 or higher could allow you to earn college credits without paying college tuition. Some students are able to skip the entire first year of college this way, thus cutting the entire cost of their college education by one quarter.
3. Reach Ahead of the Competition
Advanced Placement classes show admissions officers that you're ready for college-level work. Admissions counselors consistently highlight good grades and academic rigor are the most important factors when schools evaluate applications. Even over standardized test scores!
4. Make Your Transcript Stronger
AP classes are weighted more heavily than standard high school courses in GPA calculations. Many high schools give extra weight to AP grades when calculating your GPA. Taking an AP class and getting a B is often a better choice than getting an A in a regular course. This means that earning high grades in AP classes can boost a student's GPA and make their transcript more competitive when applying to colleges and universities.
5. Learn what you Love
THINNOX offers all STEAM relevant AP subjects from computer science to Capstone. If you're a STEAM whiz, the AP advantage at THINNOX will give you the extra challenge you crave. AP classes often cover specialized topics that go deeper than regular high school courses allowing you to get deeper into subjects you are passionate about or explore potential career paths before entering college. Choosing a subject, you’re interested in, or have had previous success in, will help you commit to the workload.
What AP Classes Should You Take?
THINNOX offers AP courses in all STEAM areas. If you are a STEAM whiz and want to apply to elite university and/or Colleges that specialize in STEAM areas such as Stanford, Harvard, The University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto admission counsellors in these colleges want to see that you are taking on challenges when available, so taking available AP courses in STEAM areas would enhance your application.
They key to choosing the AP courses is to answer to 2 key questions:
Question 1: What do you love learning/doing?
Take those AP courses that you love learning.
Also consider:
Question 2: What comes easily to you? Or, in other words, what do you excel at?
Are you a coding buff? Is Math easy for you? AP Computer Science could be your chance to shine. Consider your past academic performance, and choose subjects that you’ve had previous success in. Since STEAM includes Art, students who love design take note! There are several AP Studio Art courses in drawing and design.
AP Courses
Advanced Placement (AP) courses in STEAM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) offer rigorous and comprehensive curricula designed to prepare high school students for college-level study and careers in these fields. Here's a brief look at AP courses in each STEAM area:
Science:
AP courses in science cover a range of disciplines, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, and Computer Science. These courses delve into fundamental principles, laboratory techniques, and real-world applications within each scientific field. Students engage in hands-on experiments, data analysis, and critical thinking exercises to deepen their understanding of scientific concepts. AP Science courses often culminate in AP exams that assess students' knowledge and skills across various scientific domains.
Technology:
While there isn't a specific AP course dedicated solely to technology, the Computer Science A and Computer Science Principles courses cover key concepts in computer science and programming. Computer Science A focuses on programming skills and algorithm development using Java, while Computer Science Principles explores the broader scope of computing, including problem-solving, creativity, and the societal impacts of technology. These courses equip students with valuable computational thinking skills essential for success in today's technology-driven world.
Engineering:
AP courses in engineering are currently not offered by the College Board. However, some high schools may offer elective courses or project-based learning opportunities in engineering-related fields, providing students with exposure to engineering principles, design processes, and problem-solving techniques. Participation in extracurricular activities such as robotics clubs or engineering competitions can also complement students' interests in engineering.
Arts:
In the arts, AP courses are available in subjects such as Studio Art (Drawing, 2-D Design, and 3-D Design) and Art History. Studio Art courses allow students to explore various media and techniques while developing their artistic skills and creativity. Art History introduces students to the study of visual art from diverse cultures and historical periods, fostering an understanding of art's cultural, social, and historical significance. These courses often involve hands-on projects, critical analysis of artworks, and the development of a portfolio for evaluation.
Mathematics:
AP courses in mathematics encompass a range of topics, including Calculus (AB and BC), Statistics, and Computer Science Principles. Calculus courses introduce students to differential and integral calculus, emphasizing concepts such as limits, derivatives, and integrals. Statistics covers descriptive and inferential statistics, probability, and data analysis techniques. Computer Science Principles explores computational thinking, problem-solving, and programming concepts using a variety of programming languages and tools.
Benefits of AP Courses in STEAM areas (link to Benefits page)
Why AP? 5 Key Benefits of taking AP
1. Prepare for University/ College
AP classes are designed to mimic the rigor of college-level coursework. By enrolling in these classes, you can develop the academic skills and habits necessary for success in college. They can experience challenging material and high expectations, which can better prepare them for the academic demands of higher education.
2. Earn College Credit Save on Tuition
One of the primary advantages of taking AP classes is the opportunity to earn college credit. Many colleges and universities grant credit or advanced placement to students who score well on AP exams. Harvard loves AP students. Other elite colleges and universities that grant advanced credit or placement include Stanford, University of Toronto, Oxford, Cambridge, and University of Edinburgh. As of September 2023, The University of Waterloo recognizes AP examination results and will consider awarding transfer credits for AP courses in which normally a minimum final grade of 4 is attained. This can potentially allow you to graduate early, save money on tuition at the best colleges, or have the flexibility to pursue a double major or additional elective course. If your college offers AP credit, a score of a 4 or higher could allow you to earn college credits without paying college tuition. Some students can skip the entire first year of college this way, thus cutting the entire cost of their college education by one quarter.
3. Reach Ahead of the Competition
Advanced Placement classes show admissions officers that you're ready for college-level work. Admissions counselors consistently highlight good grades and academic rigor are the most important factors when schools evaluate applications. Even over standardized test scores!
4. Make Your Transcript Stronger
AP classes are weighted more heavily than standard high school courses in GPA calculations. Many high schools give extra weight to AP grades when calculating your GPA. Taking an AP class and getting a B is often a better choice than getting an A in a regular course. This means that earning high grades in AP classes can boost a student's GPA and make their transcript more competitive when applying to colleges and universities.
5. Learn what you Love
THINNOX offers all STEAM relevant AP subjects from computer science to Capstone. If you're a STEAM whiz, the AP advantage at THINNOX will give you the extra challenge you crave. AP classes often cover specialized topics that go deeper than regular high school courses allowing you to get deeper into subjects you are passionate about or explore potential career paths before entering college. Choosing a subject, you’re interested in, or have had previous success in, will help you commit to the workload.
