Murphy’s Law: advancing in life

 By OLIVIA MURPHY – Public Relations Manager

Students at Clarke Central High School who take advantage of taking Advanced Placement courses may have a huge impact on their chances of being admitted into certain colleges or receiving scholarships.

Clarke Central High School offers 16 different Advanced Placement courses of the 34 that exist. With such a wide variety, students have the opportunity to find the course that is right for them.

A student's experience in Advanced Placement courses impacts that student's chances of being admitted into certain colleges or receiving scholarships. Infographic/Caleb Hayes.

As a student who has taken four AP courses, I have found that the best way to succeed in an AP course is to pick subjects that interest you, not those that will interest college admissions offices or your parents. Taking advantage of AP courses solely to get into prominent schools or to satisfy your family’s expectations is the wrong mindset to have when considering AP courses.

If you can take multiple AP courses and handle the coursework that AP classes offer, then that’s an accomplishment. However, if you feel that cramming four AP courses in one semester isn’t the right decision for you, don’t feel like you have to.

“Generally, kids who are able to do AP level work can probably handle a couple AP classes at least a semester, but sometimes people think they have to squeeze in as many as they can because they’re trying to get into Ivy League schools, and that’s not necessarily true,” CCHS counselor Heidi Nibbelink said.

After considering the possibility of getting involved in an AP course, it’s solely your decision to pursue it, even when the CCHS administrative team highly stresses that you should.

“They want to make sure that students know the level of commitment that’s required and that they have made a thoughtful and deliberate decision to be in the Advanced Placement course,” CCHS counselor Lenore Katz said. “The prerequisite that (is) sometimes required so that students don’t come out of (an AP course) once they make the commitment to be in it.”

Stop choosing multiple AP classes just to get the college credit or into prominent schools. Take AP classes in your area of interest to earn the college credit and to enjoy learning at the same time.

AP classes are just like sports. When you enjoy the sport you’re playing, you try your best to excel. When you choose the AP classes that interest you, your main intent should be to excel.

When you make a concise decision about the AP classes that are right for you and remain committed to the AP course of your interest, you’re thinking smarter rather than working harder.

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