let him do it

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC wants to do this as a senior. Will likely be studying Engineering or Business in college. Is there a point to this AP? Will AP credit count towards anything at most colleges if studying Engineering or Business? I know it varies by college but wondering if someone with similar experience could share. DC will already have 3 History classes that I assume will count towards some of the gen-ed requirements already.

My daughter is taking this at her FCPS school because she loves art and appreciates the grade bump. However, the teacher shared early in the year how difficult the AP exam is because it requires a curated portfolio and so many students don't even get 3s because art is subjective and the teacher felt the way it is assessed makes it very difficult for most students to succeed. My daughter does not plan to submit for the exam because she does not plan on continuing with art in college, but has enjoyed it all through high school. Experience at one FCPS high school, if that is at all helpful.

OP. Thank you, and everyone else that responded! DC has been taking art since middle school as well. His schedule is already pretty loaded (all APs) and I wanted him to take a slower paced class instead of this elective. However, he insists that the AP will get him credit in college so trying to understand if that really is the case. He will have 3 APs in History and one in English by the time he graduates. Assuming he gets credit for those to meet gen ed requirements, is an AP art really necessary? Do colleges have a fine arts requirement for gen ed?

Anonymous wrote:DC took last year - AP Studio Art - Drawing, in addition to 3 other AP classes. This was his "final" art classes, 9 of them since middle school and it served as a "capstone" course. Portfolio requirement is substantial, but not bad if student has been taking art every year. He probably spent more time on this class than any other during junior year. One perk was this allowed him to create an art portfolio as supplemental for college applications.

Nice. What's your son's major? Do you think the art supplement helped with admissions?

DC took last year - AP Studio Art - Drawing, in addition to 3 other AP classes. This was his "final" art classes, 9 of them since middle school and it served as a "capstone" course. Portfolio requirement is substantial, but not bad if student has been taking art every year. He probably spent more time on this class than any other during junior year. One perk was this allowed him to create an art portfolio as supplemental for college applications.

My daughter did AP Art - which was great because she used this class to work on her portfolio for college - she will be an art major.

It’s an easy A on a weighted GPA. Sounds good to me

If a portfolio will get submitted with the college application application, AP Art works well.

At our school, studio art requires taking previous sequential classes. It's not a "take for fun" type of class. It's for those wanting to build a portfolio.

Are you referring to AP Studio Art or AP Art History? Your post isn't clear.

Anonymous wrote:DC wants to do this as a senior. Will likely be studying Engineering or Business in college. Is there a point to this AP? Will AP credit count towards anything at most colleges if studying Engineering or Business? I know it varies by college but wondering if someone with similar experience could share. DC will already have 3 History classes that I assume will count towards some of the gen-ed requirements already.

My daughter is taking this at her FCPS school because she loves art and appreciates the grade bump. However, the teacher shared early in the year how difficult the AP exam is because it requires a curated portfolio and so many students don't even get 3s because art is subjective and the teacher felt the way it is assessed makes it very difficult for most students to succeed. My daughter does not plan to submit for the exam because she does not plan on continuing with art in college, but has enjoyed it all through high school. Experience at one FCPS high school, if that is at all helpful.

Anonymous wrote:If your DC has no art experience, this is not the class for him. Was brutal at our public. It is not an easy AP, though it depends on teacher.

Agree. DD is a junior and taking it now. She loves art, has received a Scholastic Gold Key and state award for best in drawing and this class is really tough for her. The pace is brutal. That being said, she's happy she's taking it...but it's not an easy class and none of the colleges she's looking at will give her credit.

I wouldn't take it if he's looking for an easy class. I would consider it if he really enjoy art, wants to challenge himself and come out with a portfolio he can submit as a supplement. That could set his application apart from other business or engineering applicants.

I'd ask his counselor and art teacher for their input.

If your DC has no art experience, this is not the class for him. Was brutal at our public. It is not an easy AP, though it depends on teacher.

The point would be to create excellent art and develop a portfolio. Kid should have had foundation courses to get the most out of it.

AP classes aren't just about college credit. Every college has different lists of what they accept anyway. It's possible this might fulfill an arts gen ed at some schools.

Nice to have knowledge for random trivia ie do you know what a Corinthian column is?
Other than that, probably will not count - depends on the college.

DC wants to do this as a senior. Will likely be studying Engineering or Business in college. Is there a point to this AP? Will AP credit count towards anything at most colleges if studying Engineering or Business? I know it varies by college but wondering if someone with similar experience could share. DC will already have 3 History classes that I assume will count towards some of the gen-ed requirements already.