Understanding the Differences Between College-Prep Courses and AP Classes for International Students
Introduction
Choosing the right courses can be a daunting task for international students, especially when filling out the Common Application. This article will help clarify the distinctions between college-prep courses and Advanced Placement (AP) classes, providing valuable insights for students and counselors alike.
Differences Between College-Prep Courses and AP Classes
The primary distinction between college-prep courses and AP classes lies in their difficulty, curriculum, and potential for earning college credit.
College-Prep Courses
Purpose: Designed to prepare students for college-level work. They cover the standard high school curriculum but may not be as rigorous as AP classes. Content: Focuses on foundational knowledge and skills in subjects like math, science, English, and social studies. The material is generally aligned with what students will encounter in college but at a less intensive level. Assessment: Typically assessed through standard grading methods, tests, quizzes, and projects without standardized exams at the end of the course.AP Classes
Purpose: These are college-level courses offered in high school that can potentially earn students college credit if they score well on the AP exam. Content: The curriculum is more advanced and follows a specific syllabus set by the College Board. Subjects include AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP English Literature, among others. Assessment: At the end of the course, students take an AP exam. Scores range from 1 to 5, and many colleges grant credit or advanced placement for scores of 3 or higher.Key Differences
Rigor: AP classes are generally more challenging than standard college-prep courses. College Credit: AP classes can lead to college credit while college-prep courses do not. Standardized Testing: AP classes require students to take an exam at the end of the course while college-prep courses do not.Importance for the Common Application
When filling out the Common App, you should indicate the type of courses you took. If you completed AP classes, be sure to highlight them as they demonstrate a higher level of academic rigor. If you took college-prep courses, you can indicate those as well, noting that they prepared you for the college experience.
Additional Context
It's important to remember that not all American public high schools offer general courses for those without college plans. College prep courses tend to be more academic, covering topics and skills that would be helpful for a student planning higher learning. General courses tend to offer skills and topics that are practical and useful for many life situations. This distinction applies to English, math, history, science, and other subjects, depending on the school. For example, if you’re not going to college, you don’t need calculus, but you can certainly use “Family math” or something similar, which would be a general course.
AP courses, on the other hand, are offered by The College Board and follow a strictly prescribed curriculum. They are considered college-level material, although there are concerns about the amount of memorization involved.
If you are an international student at a private American high school, it's most likely that your school doesn’t even offer general courses, and everything you’re studying is “college prep.” The school may even advertise itself as a “college prep school.” If you have further questions, check in with your college counselor.