Unless you are on a certain course path that requires them, I would discourage most students from taking AP classes. I took four of them during my high school career, so why would I tell intelligent students not to take these challenging courses?

1. The chance you may not get college credit.

I took four AP classes and I received high enough results on three of the AP exams to receive credit at KSU. Only one or two might have counted for the universities with more rigorous requirements. Some students take AP classes and then opt out of even taking the AP exam because they know it will be too difficult for them to score highly, and don’t wish to waste the time and money. For dual enrollment, you don’t have to pay for any additional tests and you receive credit automatically with a passing grade.

2. It takes much more time and energy than an actual college class

For a general education class taken at KSU through the dual enrollment program, you may only meet two days a week for an hour and fifteen minutes each time (if they don’t let you out early). The semester goes for about four months. The average time homework takes for one of these classes is about two hours, three on the heavier side, each week.

For an AP class taken in a high school on the block schedule, you meet Monday through Friday for an hour and a half every time. It is impossible to be let out early unless have to individually. It is also impossible to have class cancelled. You physically have to be there anyway and may be given busy work and a substitute that knows nothing about the subject being taught if your teacher can not make it.

The semester now is stretched to a full 5 months (and is still growing). Homework given is typically at least 3 hours a week, if not way more depending on what class it is. In the AP class you not only have to take the high school mandated final, but also the AP exam if you want credit (plus you have to pay a hefty fee.)

3. It gives you no experience of what post secondary education is actually like.

In college your professor does not hold your hand. They will tell you when an essay is due, and not make you turn in a rough draft. You have to make sure that it is completely written and accurate at the due date. If you end up pulling an all nighter for lack of planning, it is on you. The professor may or may not tell you the best ways to study. They may or may not give you study guides.

In college you don’t have to ask if you can go to the bathroom or have your parents write you a note stating why you didn’t show up. If you miss a test because your alarm didn’t go off, chances are that you won’t be able to make it up. On top of that, some classes only have 3 tests and that’s it. So say hello to an F.

The College Board tries to say that AP classes prepare students for college and that just isn’t true. An AP class is a whole new beast that high schoolers are trying to tame. You are in classes all day, that are hard. Your attention and motivation have to be practically never ending if you plan on taking multiple of them.

You are in a class full of intelligent, competitive peers, that also tend to be obsessed with grades. Not doing well tends to make you feel terrible. AP exams just add on to the stress of the whole ordeal, since parents are saying, “Don’t dare waste my money and fail the test!”

The end result of taking AP classes? Students that are stressed, tired, agitated, and busy to the max. Parents shed out a few hundred dollars. The long term benefits are few. You MIGHT get a few college credits, and your GPA MIGHT be higher because of them. Let’s not forget that colleges also look at unweighted GPA.

The end result of taking dual enrollment classes? Students that are challenged but overall less stressed, well rounded, and prepared for the world coming at them. Students are much less busy and have time for important things like attending religious services or working. They have guaranteed college credits upon completion.

Please be mindful when choosing to take AP classes! For some students that don’t have transportation to be able to do dual enrollment but need the challenge, they may be good. But for many, I would say that are not. Dual enrollment all the way.