AP informational meeting Mason High School Auditorium 1-25-2012 6:30 pm

What is AP? Advanced Placement College Level Courses in High School Courses are set by College Board Topics Audit Syllabi End of Course Exams

Benefits to AP Classes Increased Rigor Preparation for Challenges in College Standardized Curriculum Impressive Transcript Colleges rank “Grades in college prep courses” and “Strength of curriculum” as the top two factors in the admission decision.* Potential to earn College Credit Translates to savings! * 2009 State of College Admission, NACAC

Credits for AP Courses Students earn High School Credit Students MAY earn college credit Register & Pay to take AP Exam Exams are administered in May Exams are scored 1-5 Colleges determine the credit issued to students based on AP Score

AP Credit Policy Information Information about AP credit and placement policies at many colleges and universities is available at www.collegeboard.org/apcreditpolicy. Search by name or by letter of the alphabet You will see two things for each school: A link to the college’s own Web page that details its AP credit and placement policies. A statement by the college or university about its AP policy.

Transfer Credit Examples MHS COURSE CMU CREDITS MSU CREDITS AP CHEM Score 5 = 8 credits Score 3 or 4 = 4 credits Score 4 or 5 = 8 credits Score 3 =5 credits AP BIO Score 3,4, or 5 = 4 credits Score 3 = 0 credits, waive class AP GOV Score 3,4, or 5 = 3 credits Score 4 or 5 = 3 credits AP CALC AP STAT AP ENG Score 4, or 5 = 3 credits Score 4 or 5 = 4 credits AP PHYSICS Score 3,4, or 5 = 8 credits Score 4 or 5 = 6 credits AP US HISTORY Score 3 = 3 credits Score 3, 4, 5 = 8 credits Score 2 = 0 credits, waive class

What Are AP Courses Like? AP courses typically demand more of students than regular or honors courses. Classes tend to be fast-paced and cover more material than typical high school classes. More time, inside and outside of the classroom, is required to complete lessons, assignments and homework. AP teachers expect their students to think critically, analyze and synthesize facts and data, weigh competing perspectives, and write clearly and persuasively. Discussion topic: How can parents help support their children?   Encourage time management Remind them to prioritize Recommend they form study groups Designate specific areas for homework and studying

MHS Expectations of AP Classes Challenging for all students Dedicate to working hard Increased daily work load Some courses have summer assignments Faster pace than typical courses Enroll for three trimesters More rigorous drop/add policy

Revised Grading Scale Letter Grade NON AP Course AP Letter Grade 93 90 C 73 66 A- 86 C- 70 62 B+ 87 82 D+ 67 58 B 83 78 D 63 54 B- 80 74 D- 60 50 C+ 77

College Board as a Resource http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html Information by course Topic Outlines for each class Exam Breakdown Example Questions from previous Exams AP Credit Policy Info

Commit to AP Specialty Course Application, due to teachers 1-13-2011 Acceptance, Waitlist, Denied Letters to be sent out by March Course Offerings determined by number of applications and subsequent enrollment

Remainder of the Meeting: 7:05- 7:20 Breakout Session 1 7:25- 7:40 Breakout Session 2 Choose From: AP BIO Ms. Collins room 62 AP CALC Ms. Bosman room 25 AP STAT, PHYSICS Mr. Jones room 82 AP ENG Ms. Stimers room 57 AP US HISTORY Mr. Guysky room 12 AP GOV Ms. Pierce room 8 AP CHEM Mr. Botke room 63