While the possibility of receiving college credit is a great benefit of taking advanced classes, the main reason students should work hard for their credit is to support their passions and possible areas of study in college or the workforce. Advanced Placement (AP) classes should be filled with dedicated students who have a passion in the specific subject.

According to a student survey conducted by the Harbinger in Dec. 2023, only 59% of students in an AP class took the class based on their own personal enjoyment of the subject. In comparison, 88% of students took AP classes for college credits. In theory, this would make sense because certain scores received on the AP exam bypasses college classes.

College admissions officer Ben Bousquet writes that colleges like to see a rigorous course load in the context of one’s high school for the Admit Report. However, according to Ileana Najarro’s article in the Education Week, students seem to be confused by universities’ push for taking challenging courses. 

Some students, according to Najarro, perceive this statement and attempt to tackle as many AP courses as possible, quickly finding themselves overwhelmed with rigorous coursework that does not relate to future aspirations. While these classes do lead to a better understanding of skills, a study summarized by the University of Wisconsin Press highlights the raised levels of anxiety and stress as well as a decrease in confidence in overworked students. 

Personally, I know I want to double major in Criminology and Psychology. Because of this path, I am planning to take AP Psychology, AP United States Government and Politics, and I have taken AP United States History. The AP classes I plan to take showcase my passion for what I want to major in. 

While it has worked for me, the idea of selecting AP classes in one’s intended areas of study after high school has a fatal flaw. What about the students who are undecided, or unsure if they want to continue their education after high school? 

The solution lies in figuring out what your passions are. If a student took an introductory chemistry course and developed a liking for the subject, AP Chemistry could be a good course to take. On the flip side, if a student is interested in historical subjects, AP World History might be a better fit. Not only does this display a rigorous course load to colleges, but it also allows admissions officers to see that even though the applicant is ‘undecided’, they have areas of potential interest to develop a course of study later on. 

According to the School Counselor Organization, most school counselors would agree that students should not mold their high school career into the ideal profile for a prestigious college. Instead, it is in their best interest to continue doing what they love. Students’ passion should be reflected in the AP courses they take. This is especially important considering college admissions officers look at you holistically: extracurriculars, community activities and schoolwork.

Taking AP courses in subjects of interest shows colleges you are truly a good fit for the college rather than a perfect mold of what is expected.