“It’s All About Balance”: The Advanced Placement (AP) Program with Kyleen Considine

The+Fresno+Bee+2007

MCT

The Fresno Bee 2007

By November, ambitious underclassmen may already be starting to think about their options for junior and senior year. There are plenty: In addition to the PSU Dual Enrollment Program (see our previous interview with Sholeh Masoudnia) and the International Baccalaureate Program, upperclassmen have the choice to take a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) classes. (AP classes are also open to sophomores.)

The AP program, which the teachers describe as the “American high school experience,” enables students to pick and choose their classes from a menu of options in the humanities, math, and science. At the end of the year, students in AP classes can take national exams to receive college credits. These courses are more challenging than corresponding honors or CP classes and can be valuable experiences for students interested in a similar college major.

To learn more about AP students’ experience, we talked to senior Kyleen Considine.

Harriton Banner: What influenced your decision to choose AP classes over the IB Program or the PSU Dual Enrollment Program?

Kyleen Considine: I was on the fence about doing IB. I thought about it for weeks, but only made the decision not to do IB a few days before the application due date. The decision is not as easy as one may think, but I decided to go AP so I could have more flexibility with my schedule.

HB: What are some important differences between AP and IB classes for underclassmen to keep in mind when making their decisions?

KC: AP and IB have similar workloads, but the teaching/learning style is very different. In AP, reading a textbook, taking notes, and reviewing the notes in class is very common. But in IB, students don’t just memorize hardcore facts.

HB: What was your experience like with your first AP class?

KC: APUSH [AP United States History] was my first AP class junior year. It was a huge adjustment from freshman and sophomore year. I had to study so much more for tests! Also, the test questions weren’t straightforward; it required more effort than solely knowing hardcore facts.

HB: With AP classes, you get the opportunity to pick and choose your classes. Have you been enjoying this?

KC: I love that I can pick which AP classes to take! There are some subjects that I’m not good at, so I have the option to take Honors. Also, I have a lot of flexibility to pick electives.

HB: During junior year, should underclassmen balance their AP classes with Honors/CP classes or mostly try to fill their schedule with APs?

KC: I recommend taking AP classes in subjects that you do really well in as an underclassmen. History was my best class freshman and sophomore year, so that’s why I decided to take APUSH junior year. At the same time, know your limits! [Another resource to help in students’ decisions: The course planning guide, which can be found in Student Services, outlines prerequisites for each AP course.]

HB: What type of student would you recommend to take AP classes?

KC: If you’re a hard worker, then AP is right for you. There is a lot of work, but if you’re willing to do all of it, you’ll be successful!

HB: By avoiding IB and PSU Dual Enrollment Program, do you feel as if you took the “easy way out?”

KC: As long as you feel as if you’re challenging yourself in and outside of school, you’ll never be taking the easy way out. Everyone has different limits. Some people can take harder classes and do more activities than others, but that doesn’t mean he/she is taking the easy way out. It’s all about balance.

During course selection in late winter or early spring, students can select as many or as few AP classes as they desire. Guidance counselors advise a maximum of five APs to avoid work overload. For information about a similarly challenging but very different option, stay tuned for our upcoming IB interviews with Willie Marks and Rohanna Foote.