Explain online AP class?

[Anonymous]

Applying to several T20 Universities. DD took a AP US History online. The transcript will show that it was taken online (FCPS). Does she offer an explanation or better to not draw attention to it? Got an A in the class and a 3 in the exam - imho the teacher did not prepare the students. All other AP tests are 5s.

[Anonymous]

The trend of taking online APs to get an automatic A was just silly.

Glad FCPS is now flagging it for schools to discourage the practice.

[Anonymous]

Many kids self study and get 5s. Don’t blame the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Why would she need to offer an explanation? AP classes have standardized content and the AP test is also standardized.

My teen took AP English language online because she had conflicts with the hours her school offered it.

[Anonymous]

We’re in the same boat. Our college counselor advised us NOT to explain why the class was taken online. Admissions officers are unlikely to even notice that the course was online, but pointing it out could unintentionally draw extra attention to it.

It’s REALLY frustrating that FCPS changed the policy on how online AP classes appear on transcripts without any warning. I never would have let DS take an AP class online if we’d known it would show up that way. It’s honestly discouraging that online courses can still carry a stigma of low rigor and cheating, when students are simply trying to navigate the system they’ve been given and make thoughtful academic choices. At Langley, many of the top students take APUSH online, and at TJ it’s AP Econ, which shows just how common and practical taking online classes has become.

[Anonymous]

But, honestly, do AOs really care whether a class is online vs in person? So many schools don't even offer a full suite of AP classes so online or DE are the only choices. Do we know for a fact that this negatively impacts an applicant, or are we just assuming it does because we, as parents, are in a paranoid state when it comes to college admissions? Keep in mind that sometimes kids have 15+ APs on their transcript--there is no possible way to do this without online AP classes. Seems like a parent-manufactured issue to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re in the same boat. Our college counselor advised us NOT to explain why the class was taken online. Admissions officers are unlikely to even notice that the course was online, but pointing it out could unintentionally draw extra attention to it.

It’s REALLY frustrating that FCPS changed the policy on how online AP classes appear on transcripts without any warning. I never would have let DS take an AP class online if we’d known it would show up that way. It’s honestly discouraging that online courses can still carry a stigma of low rigor and cheating, when students are simply trying to navigate the system they’ve been given and make thoughtful academic choices. At Langley, many of the top students take APUSH online, and at TJ it’s AP Econ, which shows just how common and practical taking online classes has become.

Two online classes that many students take at 2 indiv HSs doesn’t mean it is common or practical. It largely looks like the rigor of in person was purposefully avoided. It could still be the best option but clearly it sends a general message.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The trend of taking online APs to get an automatic A was just silly.

Glad FCPS is now flagging it for schools to discourage the practice.

So glad to hear this is finally being disclosed. So many of my daughter’s classmates took apush online to get an easy A. It’s not a case where the school didn’t offer the class in person so I don’t know why it was allowed. But it is pretty shameful.

OO, your daughter can explain why she tried to game the system to juice her gpa in her application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would she need to offer an explanation? AP classes have standardized content and the AP test is also standardized.

My teen took AP English language online because she had conflicts with the hours her school offered it.

What conflicts?

[Anonymous]

Our public on the west coast does not add any AP classes taken online to the transcript. You would have to send separate transcripts individually to each college you apply to. I’m glad they have this strict policy.

Still kids take online AP classes thinking it will boost them. I don’t see a difference in college admissions. Probably better to keep things simple and everything on one transcript.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The trend of taking online APs to get an automatic A was just silly.

Glad FCPS is now flagging it for schools to discourage the practice.

Agreed. If the school doesn’t offer that particular course, fine. But otherwise, high school kids should have to take these classes at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re in the same boat. Our college counselor advised us NOT to explain why the class was taken online. Admissions officers are unlikely to even notice that the course was online, but pointing it out could unintentionally draw extra attention to it.

It’s REALLY frustrating that FCPS changed the policy on how online AP classes appear on transcripts without any warning. I never would have let DS take an AP class online if we’d known it would show up that way. It’s honestly discouraging that online courses can still carry a stigma of low rigor and cheating, when students are simply trying to navigate the system they’ve been given and make thoughtful academic choices. At Langley, many of the top students take APUSH online, and at TJ it’s AP Econ, which shows just how common and practical taking online classes has become.

I can see how it is a valid choice considering it was available and was for a GPA boost for whatever reason (easier content, easier teacher, easier testing, more ways to buffer a grade thru HW or more questions on tests, more project based learning, etc.) BUT it’s ridiculous to say that (as both of us are) and then (only you) say what’s bolded above. Sure, it was a good option considering the alternative…but it was with the exact motive you bolded.

[Anonymous]

Online classes invite cheating. Of course kids are cheating in online APs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The trend of taking online APs to get an automatic A was just silly.

Glad FCPS is now flagging it for schools to discourage the practice.

Agreed. If the school doesn’t offer that particular course, fine. But otherwise, high school kids should have to take these classes at school.

+1

Glad for the changes to the FCPS transcript.

[Anonymous]

For kids who take summer classes because they want a period to pursue something else, shouldn't they indicate why they take summer classes or explain why. Why would a college counselor discourage this?