At Lexington High School, students hold the same belief year after year: “the more APs you take, the better your chances at getting into college.” This assumption exists more as a mindset than a question about whether taking multiple Advanced Placement (AP) classes makes sense for a student. As a result, many students overload their schedules with rigorous courses, leading to unnecessary stress as early as their sophomore year. Are students truly benefitting from taking multiple AP classes so early in high school?
“We do have kids who get pretty stressed out with multiple APs in sophomore year. They are taking their first ever AP classes that are heavy reading and heavy content classes,” Kerry Dunne, the Social Studies Department Head at LHS, said. “[Other] students who take both [AP Biology and AP World History] just do fine and aren’t stressed.”
The stress from taking more than one AP class varies widely from student to student. Those who have strong time management skills may not become excessively overwhelmed by the heavier workload, and can adjust smoothly to coursework. For these students, taking multiple AP classes can reflect positively on their academic performance. For others, however, doubling up on APs can create an environment of stress and added pressure before they’ve developed the habits needed to handle it.
Beyond the course selection process, some students attempt to self-study for AP exams outside of LHS. Does this strategy actually boost college resumes, or does it cause unnecessary stress and pressure?
“Colleges want a well rounded student … You probably would be much better served joining a club and maybe being a leader in that club because you’ve been invested in it for four years than self-studying for some random other AP test,” Dunne said.
Matthew Linden, an AP and CP (College Preparatory) World History II teacher, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that AP course decisions must be deeply personal. “I don’t think it’s possible to put a number on it,” he said. “It’s such a dependent question on who the student is and what their circumstances are.”
Linden also challenged the perceived assumption that AP classes are inherently better.
“Maybe the real question is, why are we taking the AP classes? If it’s because you have a real passion for the subject … that’s a great reason. Taking an AP class just because it’s titled “AP [blank]” … I don’t know if that’s always the best way to go,” Linden said.
Students shouldn’t feel pressured to stack their schedules with multiple AP classes solely to add to a college application. Before signing up for an AP course, students should ask themselves whether they truly care about the subject or are simply feeling pressured to take it. In a community like LHS, with its many clubs, activities, and other opportunities, school should be about exploring interests, not stressing over the “right” number of AP classes.