Joshua Klieger of Millburn is currently a freshman at Northwestern University. Even though he has only completed one semester at college, this spring he will be considered an academic junior because of the nine college-level classes he took during high school.

Taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school is fairly standard—especially for those students who want to apply to top-tier colleges. But some argue that high schoolers are pushing themselves too hard by taking so many AP classes and that the added work load and stress may not be worth it, especially if colleges don't ultimately accept those classes for credit. 

The AP program began in 1955 through The College Board (which also administers SAT and SAT subject tests). AP classes offer college-level curriculum to students still in high school. To receive college credit, students need to take an AP exam at the end of the year and receive a certain score. 

There are five main reasons high-school students choose to take AP classes: 

Boost GPA and class ranking: In many schools, AP classes are weighted heavier in GPAs than honors classes.  

Present a rigorous course load to  colleges: Top colleges look for students who challenge themselves. 

Receive college credit and/or opt out of certain classes: Many students feel that if they are a top student, they should be taking as many AP classes as possible. Chase Harrison, a senior at Millburn HS, says, “At our high school, there is a certain status associated with being an AP student.”

Strong interest in the subject matter: Students in AP classes tend to be intellectually curious, and the class as a whole can learn the material at a faster pace and more in-depth level.

Do AP classes really help students get into college?

Robin Mamlet, former Dean of Admissions at Swarthmore College and coauthor of College Admission: From Application to Acceptance, Step by Step (Three Rivers Press, 2011), says, “The rigor of a high-school course load is important. Students should take classes at an appropriate level of challenge so that they push themselves and yet do not drown. Students at schools that do offer AP classes should definitely challenge themselves rather than forgoing those courses because they might want a lighter load or an easier A.”

Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at Stanford University and cofounder of Challenge Success says, “While it is true that colleges are looking for students to take a rigorous schedule, that does not mean that they need to take every AP their high school offers. An AP-heavy course load and all As is not a guarantee that a student will get into a top-tier institution.”

Are AP classes really “college level” courses?

Whether AP classes are truly “college level” is the subject of debate. The College Board sets AP curriculum, and the AP test is standardized, but other factors determine the level at which the class is taught, including the high school, teacher, and the subject matter. 

Some AP subjects are considered “hard” while others are “soft” (easier material, easier AP test). Some AP classes are considerably more difficult than an accelerated/honors level class (especially in the sciences). 

Many top-tier institutions do give students college credit for AP classes and/or allow students to place out of requirements or study at a higher level due to taking the AP class in high school. However, some schools such as Brown and Dartmouth are no longer accepting AP credits, reasoning that a college education should take place in college. 

A primary concern is that many AP classes are “taught to the test,” either because the teacher feels that is how the students are being judged or the fast pace of the syllabus allows no time for the teacher to veer off the set schedule. 

Pope says, “Students as a whole have become too focused on grades, test scores, and performance. Taking AP classes for the learning experience is great. But many students are just memorizing a bunch of facts so that they can do well on the AP exam and are actually retaining very little meaningful knowledge.” ·

Healthy Balance

Pope says, “Very few students can carry an all-AP course load and get the sleep they need for healthy development. The big picture is that more and more kids are exhausted before they get to college and too drained to perform well once they are there.”

My own daughter, Allie, currently a freshman at Brandeis University, says, “Even the brightest students can struggle with the sheer amount of information in an AP class. The material may not be difficult, but it is time-consuming.” Allie does think that taking AP classes prepared her well for college—both in the knowledge she gained and in the study skills she mastered. 

While most students have no regrets about taking AP classes in high school, the key is finding balance. Grades and course load are only a part of the way admissions access prospective students. Colleges are looking for authentic individuals. Students should challenge themselves and not be afraid to take AP classes—but only the ones that truly interest them. 

Randi Mazzella, a mother of  two teens and a tween, is a freelance writer from Short Hills.