I took 2, one in 11th and one in 12th grade (graduated in 98) Awful classes, they were just work for the sake of doing work. I repeated the courses in college and there was no comparison. I only took the AP classes because an honors level option was not offered. I didn't take any of the exams. I don't think my parents knew what AP was to be honest.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never took any AP classes, but that was when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Why do you assume that kids are only taking AP classes because parents are pushing and forcing them?

Because that's what I'm observing. Parents feel like their kids must do it. It seems ridiculous. I asked one parent where they hope the kid will go to college, and they said state school. My response was, "you know the kid could just enjoy HS, do a semester or two at MC, and then go on to state school, right?"

If half the kids graduating from the magnet at Blair end up at UMCP, I just don't get why parents are making HS miserable for their kids.

I just don't get why you think that, in all cases,

1. it's the parents
2. kids who take AP classes are miserable

It's a big world out there, with lots of different people in it, most of whom you don't know.

+ 1000

My dc has consistently sought at the most challenging path she could. Dh and I have both advised her to slow down and employ moderation. We try to get her to take time to relax and to have fun. We've told her that she's hurting her college chances by not having time for extra-curriculars. Finally, we seem to be getting through to her. Unfortunately, it took her being overwhelmed to get to that point. I am so excited about next year when she is not taking AP English and has signed up for a study hall.

Graduated from a top private in 1990 and took 2 AP courses but actually only took one AP exam. Went to a top SLAC. I thought they were only for getting college credit, had no idea at the time the courses themselves were so important for college applications

None graduated in 1983.

One child started in 9th grade, with Ap History. Will probably take other Ap History classes because that is their passion and loves the work which is what they say is what someone taking those courses should be.

As far as getting a full ride to colleges without AP's depends on the college, the major they are looking at, and what school they are at. Someone at a "w" school who wants to do engineering at a top program will not get very far if they don't take AP Math and Science courses. It is not as cut and dried as you stated. The college process has lots of moving parts as to what you need to have on a transcript to be an attractive candidate for admission.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never took any AP classes, but that was when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Why do you assume that kids are only taking AP classes because parents are pushing and forcing them?

Because that's what I'm observing. Parents feel like their kids must do it. It seems ridiculous. I asked one parent where they hope the kid will go to college, and they said state school. My response was, "you know the kid could just enjoy HS, do a semester or two at MC, and then go on to state school, right?"

If half the kids graduating from the magnet at Blair end up at UMCP, I just don't get why parents are making HS miserable for their kids.

Who says an AP class is "miserable"?

Most students at Blair end up at UMCP because it is a strong school and relatively affordable. Not everyone wants to go far from home.

UMCP offers Blair magnet students full rides.

Not true

Certainly Not all of them but there are a good number of Banneker Key recipiants...which is full tuition. A good number at RMIB too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never took any AP classes, but that was when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Why do you assume that kids are only taking AP classes because parents are pushing and forcing them?

Because that's what I'm observing. Parents feel like their kids must do it. It seems ridiculous. I asked one parent where they hope the kid will go to college, and they said state school. My response was, "you know the kid could just enjoy HS, do a semester or two at MC, and then go on to state school, right?"

If half the kids graduating from the magnet at Blair end up at UMCP, I just don't get why parents are making HS miserable for their kids.

I just don't get why you think that, in all cases,

1. it's the parents
2. kids who take AP classes are miserable

It's a big world out there, with lots of different people in it, most of whom you don't know.

Understood. But taking APs freshman year seems a bit much IMHO.

Then don't do it.

But your idea seems to be -- I think it's too much, therefore nobody should do it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:High Schools push AP classes because it helps their rankings. Many kids take them starting Freshman year. I know kids who take as many as 5 junior and senior year. I don't think AP classes are as close to college classes as they used to be. When I was in HS, I had to "apply" for senior AP English...an essay teacher recs etc. Now anyone can sign up for both junior and senior year.

Exactly and colleges are starting to realize this trend too and are bucking the system. I would be very weary of making your kids take AP courses only to find out their college won't accept them. I think this over pushing your kids into ridiculous courses is starting to come to an end. I think (or hope) the next set of parents or parents that have multiple siblings are starting to realize the damage with are doing to our kids and how really, what college you get your BA in means shit anymore. Enjoy high school. Go to college, work hard and have a lot of fun. Move onto your masters and get serious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uem73imvn9Y

+ a million

I took AP US History my junior year, AP French and AP Lit and Comp my senior year. I got 5s on history and lit & comp, 3 on French (I had only taken three years of French). I got a full scholarship to a smaller private college.

I do think it's a little crazy for students to be taking these classes early in high school, especially since they're supposed to be the equivalent of a college course.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never took any AP classes, but that was when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Why do you assume that kids are only taking AP classes because parents are pushing and forcing them?

Because that's what I'm observing. Parents feel like their kids must do it. It seems ridiculous. I asked one parent where they hope the kid will go to college, and they said state school. My response was, "you know the kid could just enjoy HS, do a semester or two at MC, and then go on to state school, right?"

If half the kids graduating from the magnet at Blair end up at UMCP, I just don't get why parents are making HS miserable for their kids.

Who says an AP class is "miserable"?

Most students at Blair end up at UMCP because it is a strong school and relatively affordable. Not everyone wants to go far from home.

UMCP offers Blair magnet students full rides.

Not true

Anonymous wrote:High Schools push AP classes because it helps their rankings. Many kids take them starting Freshman year. I know kids who take as many as 5 junior and senior year. I don't think AP classes are as close to college classes as they used to be. When I was in HS, I had to "apply" for senior AP English...an essay teacher recs etc. Now anyone can sign up for both junior and senior year.

Exactly and colleges are starting to realize this trend too and are bucking the system. I would be very weary of making your kids take AP courses only to find out their college won't accept them. I think this over pushing your kids into ridiculous courses is starting to come to an end. I think (or hope) the next set of parents or parents that have multiple siblings are starting to realize the damage with are doing to our kids and how really, what college you get your BA in means shit anymore. Enjoy high school. Go to college, work hard and have a lot of fun. Move onto your masters and get serious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uem73imvn9Y

I'm almost 40, went to MCPS and did AP classes starting my sophomore year. The AP credits allowed me to graduate university in 3 years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never took any AP classes, but that was when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Why do you assume that kids are only taking AP classes because parents are pushing and forcing them?

Because that's what I'm observing. Parents feel like their kids must do it. It seems ridiculous. I asked one parent where they hope the kid will go to college, and they said state school. My response was, "you know the kid could just enjoy HS, do a semester or two at MC, and then go on to state school, right?"

If half the kids graduating from the magnet at Blair end up at UMCP, I just don't get why parents are making HS miserable for their kids.

Who says an AP class is "miserable"?

Most students at Blair end up at UMCP because it is a strong school and relatively affordable. Not everyone wants to go far from home.

UMCP offers Blair magnet students full rides.

Not uniformly. Many get scholarships, yes. But being a magnet grad does not per se entitle anyone to a full ride at UMDCP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never took any AP classes, but that was when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Why do you assume that kids are only taking AP classes because parents are pushing and forcing them?

Because that's what I'm observing. Parents feel like their kids must do it. It seems ridiculous. I asked one parent where they hope the kid will go to college, and they said state school. My response was, "you know the kid could just enjoy HS, do a semester or two at MC, and then go on to state school, right?"

If half the kids graduating from the magnet at Blair end up at UMCP, I just don't get why parents are making HS miserable for their kids.

Who says an AP class is "miserable"?

Most students at Blair end up at UMCP because it is a strong school and relatively affordable. Not everyone wants to go far from home.

UMCP offers Blair magnet students full rides.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think this is getting out of hand. Why are parents encouraging/forcing their kids to begin taking AP classes freshman and sophomore year?

We've had two sitters from our local HS who ended up with full rides at top colleges, and they didn't take APs the way other kids are being pressured to. One explained to me that colleges only accept a certain amount of AP credits, so you look foolish taking more than that. She paced it out, which meant not starting freshman year. She's a sophomore in college now.

So, what's your motivation for pushing your kids? There seems to be a frenzy about this at our local school. I don't get it.

Its not that i dont believe you OP. But thats REALLY hard to believe. No Ap but full rides to top colleges??? Ive been thru college application process multiple times but cant figure out how your sitters were able to do this.

No APs freshman year. Only took the maximum number of APs that colleges accept, and paced them accordingly.

Perhaps another layer: lots of parents *think* their kids will be in classes with the dregs of humanity unless they are in honors or AP right out of the gate. I've heard parents say this out loud.

FWIW, we don't live in a W school district.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never took any AP classes, but that was when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Why do you assume that kids are only taking AP classes because parents are pushing and forcing them?

Because that's what I'm observing. Parents feel like their kids must do it. It seems ridiculous. I asked one parent where they hope the kid will go to college, and they said state school. My response was, "you know the kid could just enjoy HS, do a semester or two at MC, and then go on to state school, right?"

If half the kids graduating from the magnet at Blair end up at UMCP, I just don't get why parents are making HS miserable for their kids.

I just don't get why you think that, in all cases,

1. it's the parents
2. kids who take AP classes are miserable

It's a big world out there, with lots of different people in it, most of whom you don't know.

Understood. But taking APs freshman year seems a bit much IMHO.