Why Advanced
Placement?
Jenn Fieldman, Counselor
Kirsten Mulligan, Pre-AP English,
Pre-AP Quest English
Michael Heath, Science Dpt. Chair
Verification
Forms Have Been
Mailed!
Student Options:
• Students have the option of choosing on-level,
pre-AP, AP and Dual-Credit courses
throughout their high school career.
• It is important to make choices based on the
student’s strengths, interests and goals.
Pre-AP & AP Classes are
Open to Everyone
To be successful, you need….
Commitment
Curiosity
Determination
Good Work Ethic
Time Management
Students Have Many Choices
• VHS offers multiple pre-AP and AP courses in
Science, Social Studies, Math, Languages,
English & the Arts
• It’s important to remember that when moving
up to a high school pre-AP or AP class there
will be a period of transition --getting used to
the additional work load and expectations of
the course
Advantages of Pre-AP Courses
• More rigorous course work
• Helps to prepare the student for future AP classes
• GPA bump (see Course Catalog, p. 12 for more
information)
• Opportunity for personal challenge & growth
• UIL waivers (one per semester)
• Opportunity for college credit (offset the cost of
college) –
– http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy
/index.jsp
Advantages of AP Courses
• College curriculum
• Research indicates that students who have participated
in AP have more success in college & higher graduation
rates
• GPA bump (see Course Catalog, p. 12 for more
information)
• Opportunity for personal challenge & growth
• AP teachers have specialized training
• UIL waivers
• Opportunity for college credit (offset the cost of
college) –
– http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/ind
ex.jsp
Advanced Placement Exams
• AP exams are taken the first two weeks
of May
• $92 @ test
• Registration occurs in late
January/February
• Financial assistance available
• Passing scores offer college credit
VHS AP Performance
Advanced
Placement
2010
2011
2012
2013
Number of
Students
taking AP tests
Number of AP
tests taken
Qualifying
scores of
3, 4 & 5
83
214
401
576
84
320
774
1,139
38
164
308
TBD
2012 AP Exams given in LISD
30 different subjects:
Art History
Biology
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Chemistry
Chinese
Computer Science A
English Language
English Literature
Environmental Science
European History
French Language
German Language
Government & Politics – US
Latin - Vergil
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Music Theory
Physics B
Physics C – Mechanics
Physics C – E & M
Psychology
Spanish Language
Spanish Literature
Statistics
Studio Art – Drawing
Studio Art – 2D
Studio Art – 3D
US History
World History
College Admissions
What are universities looking for?
(National Forum – College Board, October 2012)
• Participation in Advanced coursework (IB, AP, PreAP, dual enrollment, etc.)
• Grades in advanced coursework
• School profile
• Grades in all classes
• Demonstrated student interests
in a few areas
(hobbies & activities)
College Admissions
What are universities looking for?
(National Forum – College Board, October 2012)
• Genuine interest in that university
• Importance of class rank has declined in the last two
decades
– 1993 – 42% of universities rated it as highly important
– 2012 – 22% of universities rated it as highly important
• Counselor and teacher recommendations
• Student essay
• Student who is able to overcome personal and
academic difficulties
Summer Assignments
• Information on summer assignments is
located on LISD’s webpage under Quick Links:
Summer Information
• http://vhs/
Ms. Mulligan
• Summer Reading is assignments
• Difference between On-level and Pre-AP
assignments
• The challenge
• The journey to the AP Test…
Questions?