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Campus Visit Checklist

When it comes to campus visits a little preparation can go a long way. Help your child make the most of visits with the campus visit checklist.

Expert Advice

"If you haven't decided on a college major or an area of concentration, take as many core courses as you can early in your college career."
Brian Cummings, Instructor; Catholic Priest, St. Michael's College

Meet AP® Exams

Taking the College Challenge with the AP Program

Is your child looking for a challenge in her education? She may want to take an Advanced Placement Program® course. AP courses are college-level courses in a variety of subject areas that students can take while still in high school.

AP Exams

At the conclusion of an AP course, students have the opportunity to take the corresponding AP Exam. AP Exams are two- to three-hour exams, given in May, made up of multiple-choice and free-response (essay) questions. They're graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with 3 considered a qualifying score. There is an exam fee of $84. If your child is in financial need, you or your child may want to contact your child's AP Coordinator about a fee reduction.

Are AP Courses Difficult?

AP courses are usually more demanding than regular high school courses. Most AP classes are comparable to first-year college courses, so they aren't easy, but they aren't impossible either.

Why Should My Child Take an AP Course?

The extra effort and time your child will put into an AP course are definitely worth it. Consider these benefits:

  • Your child will have the opportunity to study a subject in-depth, at the college level, so she will be more prepared for college work.
  • If your child receives a qualifying grade on an AP Exam, she may be eligible for advanced placement or course credits at the vast majority of colleges and universities in the United States.
  • More than 1,400 institutions in the United States alone grant a full year's credit to students with satisfactory grades on enough AP Exams. It's called "sophomore standing."
  • The AP Program offers a number of AP Scholar Awards to students for outstanding performance on AP Exams. This achievement is noted on the AP transcript and recognized by colleges.

How Does My Child Get into an AP Course?

First, your child should discuss her interest with the teacher of the AP course at school, her counselor, or with the AP Coordinator. Your child and her counselor should decide together whether she could handle the work. You may also want to discuss the course with your child to help in making the decision.

How Does My Child Sign Up for an AP Exam?

Your child's AP teacher or AP Coordinator knows when in May the AP Exam will be offered at school, and how to register for it.

You and your child can visit our student guide to the Advanced Placement Program to see the complete AP subject list and read Course Descriptions.