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The AP Science Program At Centennial |
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Studying Science At Centennial
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The following information
was taken from;
Facts About the Advanced Placement Program.
Introduction to the AP Program
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program consists of 32 University-level courses and exams in 19 disciplines for highly motivated students in secondary schools. Its exceptional reputation is made possible by the close cooperation of secondary schools, Universities, and the University Board. Students report that they enjoy the challenge of the Program, high school faculty find that AP courses greatly enhance students' confidence and academic interest, and University faculty find that these students are far better prepared for serious academic work.
AP courses are offered in more than 11,700 high schools in every state in the United States, every province and territory in Canada, and 63 other countries. They are recognized by nearly 2,900 universities throughout the world which grant credit, advanced placement, or both, to students who have performed satisfactorily on AP Exams. Approximately 1,400 institutions will grant sophomore standing to students who have demonstrated their competence in three or more of these exams.
The AP Program provides course descriptions and teaching materials as well as exams based on those descriptions. It does not, however, dictate the textbook, schedule of lessons, or teaching techniques. Students' exam grades are sent to the Universities of their choice, which then grant credit, advanced placement, or both, depending on institutional policies.
Further information about the AP Program can be obtained by visiting their website at
http://www.collegeboard.org/ap/students/index.html.
Why Is AP So Valuable?
"I'm not sure how well I would do in an AP course or exam. Even if I did get a good grade, I'm not sure that I would use it. So why should I get involved with AP?"
These are questions that many high school students ask themselves. Remember -- you risk nothing by taking the AP Exam, because you determine which Universities, if any, will receive your grade. More importantly, there are many advantages to getting involved with AP.
You'll study a subject in greater depth
If you are interested in a particular subject and want to learn more about it with classmates who are just as enthusiastic as you are, your best bet is to take an AP course.
You'll find out what you can really do
If you don't challenge yourself, you'll never know what you're capable of achieving. Prove, even if only to yourself, that you can master University-level material, and discover the satisfaction of reaching your goals and knowing you have been successful.
AP prepares you for University work
AP courses and exams represent the beginning of the journey through University-level academic challenges. Once you're used to being challenged, you're more likely to continue with advanced studies (AP students are twice as likely to go into Ph.D. programs). AP is not just a test; it's an experience. AP courses motivate you to work hard, and you can improve the quality of all your courses based on the skills you gain in one AP course. Students who were unsure about their future plans say AP helped steer them toward; University or advanced studies.
The work you do in an AP course will help you develop skills and study habits that will be vital in University, For example, you will learn how to analyze problems effectively, improve your writing skills, and prepare for exams. Students who take AP courses and exams are more knowledgeable about the demands of University work, and they understand what is needed to succeed at the University level.
You'll improve your chances of getting into a competitive University
Students who take AP courses and exams are more knowledgeable about the demands of University work. Colleges and Universities recognize that applicants with AP experience are much better prepared for the demands of University courses. Admissions officers are well aware of the difficulty of AP courses and exams, and sending them your AP Exam grades can only be a positive step toward potential admission into competitive Universities.
You'll be prepared for the unexpected
You never know what the future holds. Plans change, career choices change, family circumstances change, usually when you least expect it. Once you have taken an AP Exam, your grade is a permanent part of your transcript. The vast majority of Colleges and Universities in the United States, and many outside the United States, grant academic credit, advanced placement, or both to incoming students with qualifying AP grades.
You'll be making a good investment
By taking an AP Exam, you will be investing in yourself and your future. If you receive a qualifying grade on an AP Exam, your $75 (US) exam fee investment can translate into major savings. A course credit at a state university such as Georgia Tech can be worth more than $250, and at the University of Pennsylvania, for example, you will save approximately $2,700 (US).
You'll get good value for your money
The cost of an AP Exam is a concern for some students. But put this into perspective -- how much do you spend on the latest video game, or a couple of-compact discs? Given how hard you work in and out of school, isn't it time you put something into yourself and your future?
You're getting a head start
Every year, hundreds of students achieve sophomore standing by earning qualifying AP grades: more than 1,400 institutions in the United States alone grant a full year's credit to students who present satisfactory grades on enough AE Exams. Write to the Universities you are interested in attending to get the most up-to-date information about their AP policies.
You'll increase your options
Earning AP credit has allowed thousands of students to take a double major in University, move into upper-level courses in the field of interest, or complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees in four years.
You'l1 improve your self-esteem
By succeeding in an-AP course and exam, you will know in advance that you have the ability: to succeed in University. Students who have this confidence are less likely to go for the easy options at University, and are more likely to specialize in majors with tougher grading standards. They are also more likely to take a greater course load and complete a greater number of higher level courses. Students who succeed academically are likely to achieve other significant accomplishments in University and throughout their lives.
You'll broaden your horizons
Many students say that their AP experiences made them look at things differently. For example, working with a dedicated AP teacher can be a great influence on you both personally and in your scholastic development. Also, working with other students who are "going for it" can be extremely stimulating. Some AP students feel that AP gave them a leg up, providing opportunities that would not otherwise have come their way.
You may be eligible for a Scholar Award
The AP Program offers a number of awards to BP students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement. An acknowledgment appears Cm the student's AP grade report. Scholar Award recipients not only gain recognition from Universities, but also win the admiration of their peers, families, and communities.
The payoff
When you ask yourself "Is it worth it?" consider the potential payoff. The AP experience is rich and rewarding. You work hard but you get back much in return. Most Universities view any AP experience as a plus, and AP gives you tools that serve you well throughout you University career.
University Credit Policies
Which Universities grant credit for AP work and how do I find out if a University participates?
Almost all the Colleges and Universities in the United States and Canada, and many In Europe, take part in the AP Program. Even Universities that receive only a few AP candidates and may not have specific AP policies are often willing to accomadate AP students who inquire about advanced placement work.
To find out about a specific policy for the AP Exam(s) you plan to take, write to the University's Director of Admissions. You should receive a written reply telling you how much credit and/or advanced placement you will receive for a given grade on an AP Exam, including any courses from which you will be exempted or any higher-level courses you will be allowed to enter.
Where can I find out more about University AP policies?
The best source of specific and up to date information about an individual institution's policy is its catalog.
Where do I find out about my AP credit?
During the summer, the Universities that have received notification of your grade(s) may confirm what placement, credit, and exemption you have earned through AP, though some may wait until you inquire or are on campus. You can always request confirmation by writing to the Director of Admissions.
I won't know my AP grades until July but I have to register for University in June. What do I do?
Most Colleges and Universities have considerable experience with this problem since about 20 percent of freshmen present AP grades. Inform the admissions office and your registration advisor that your AP grades will arrive In July. Individual Universities differ, but most will either:
- substitute a course from the sophomore year or the second semester pending approval of AP credit,
- register you in the same course with the understanding that you can drop the course and add a different one in the fall if AP credit is approved, or
- leave the decision to you. If the decision is left to you, you should probably register for a different course unless it is a prerequisite for your major, or part of a sequence in your major.
How are AP Exams Graded
The multiple-choice sections of the exams are scored by computer. In 2000, the free-response booklets will be evaluated by more than 4,000 faculty consultants -- carefully selected University professors and experienced AP teachers -- who will spend a week in June scoring answers in over one million booklets. Each answer is scored individually by a faculty consultant who has been specially trained to assess that question; typically, each booklet is evaluated by four professors and teachers. The names of students and schools remain concealed to preserve anonymity. Every examination receives an overall grade on a 5-point scale:
5 - Extremely well qualified4 - Well qualified
3 - Qualified
2 - Possibly qualified
1 - No recommendation
To obtain a grade of 3 or higher on a typical AP Exam, you need to answer about 50 percent of the multiple-choice questions correctly and do acceptable work on the free-response section.
In general, an AP grade of 3 is' approximately equal to a University course grade of B at many institutions. At some other institutions, an AP grade of 3 is more nearly comparable to a University course grade of C.