Although AP courses and exams may seem daunting, the successful completion of them can provide a number of benefits. In addition to satisfying college credits or placing in higher-division classes, passing AP tests can result in AP Scholar Awards.
To qualify as an AP Scholar — the lowest level of the AP Scholar Awards — the student must receive scores of 3 or higher on at least three AP Exams, according to the College Board’s website.
While only three FC students earned AP Scholar Awards in 2009, seven students made the cut after May 2010.
Alumnae Jacqueline Cowin, Tatiana Fontes, Kristina Logan, Alyssa Powell and Jessika Searles, as well as senior Ricky Lopez, were notified of their achievement this month. In addition, alumna Elizabeth Grossman qualified as an AP Scholar with Distinction for earning an average score of at least 3.5 on five or more exams.
“When I was notified that I was a scholar with distinction, I was really surprised. I was being rewarded for something I did in high school which seemed a lot longer ago,” Grossman said. “Thinking back on it, it was challenging, and there were times when I regretted taking so many AP tests. [But] the experience taught me about time management.”
As a junior, Lopez took enough exams and scored high enough to qualify as an AP Scholar. The class of 2011 has one more year to take exams and potentially earn an AP Scholar Award.
“I didn’t even know that I was the only junior — that’s pretty awesome,” Lopez said. “I’m so glad that I was able to achieve this recognition.”
Academic Adviser Molly Sargent says that the outcome and scores of the students highlight the school’s focus on academics.
“I think [doubling the number of AP Scholars] shows that our emphasis on academic achievements is paying off, and that we attract top-quality students,? Sargent said. ?[It means that] we are a player — one of the best institutions in the Valley.”
The College Board’s AP Program provides students with the opportunity to take college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both, for successful performance on the AP Exams.
Only about 18 percent of the more than 1.8 million students worldwide who took AP Exams last year earned an AP Scholar Award, according to the College Board.
“As much as I wish it weren’t true — as much as we would like to ignore the fact that test results and honors and awards don’t matter — they do,? Sargent said. ?It’s one of the only ways that anyone can come to a conclusion about your institution. So if your school produces academic achievers, and they experience success, it says something about your program.”
Although she acknowledges that some students concentrate on academics while others focus on sports or extracurriculars, Sargent hopes that the increase in FC students receiving AP Scholar Awards will motivate more students to take AP classes.
“Hopefully it will encourage them to take the classes, because they will see that taking AP classes is very profitable to them,” Sargent said. ?For some, AP is not a good choice because of the time required. For others, the benefits they would get from AP are sometimes not as advantageous as the benefits they get from what they are doing now.”
Since several admissions counselors have informed her that colleges look for students who take challenging classes, Sargent advises anyone aiming to attend a selective college to take more difficult courses.
“One of the many things a student needs to consider when choosing high school classes is what level of college they want to get into,” Sargent said. “They [colleges] are looking for students who take the most demanding high school schedule that they can, so taking AP classes is pretty much one of the things you have to do to get in.”
For more information on academic awards, read the Sept. 21 article, Editor recognized as National Merit Semifinalist.
