This document discusses the financial benefits of taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes. It notes that AP classes cost $86 per class, compared to $423 for a community college class, $1327 for a public college class, and $6163 for a private college class. Students who pass the AP exam for a class can earn college credit and save thousands compared to taking the same class in a college. AP classes can also help students qualify for merit-based scholarships and aid. Colleges view AP classes favorably and as better preparation than regular high school classes.
4. SALT CREATED BY AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE4
• The cost of college varies depending
on the type of school.
– 1 Community College Class = $423*
– 1 Public 4-year College Class = $1327*
– 1 Private 4-year College Class = $6163*
Cost of College
*Figures based on 2011-12 tuition and fees
5. SALT CREATED BY AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE5
Cost of College Classes
6. SALT CREATED BY AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE6
Cost of Advanced Placement
$86$86
7. SALT CREATED BY AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE7
Cost of Advanced Placement
8. SALT CREATED BY AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE8
• Fee waivers =
Cost of Advanced Placement
$0$0
9. SALT CREATED BY AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE9
3 Advanced Placement Classes vs. 3 College Classes
Real World Applications
10. SALT CREATED BY AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE10
• What is need vs. merit aid
– Need
• State
• Federal
– Merit
• School
• Outside Organizations
• Where does AP come in?
Money Talk
11. SALT CREATED BY AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE11
• Advanced Placement helps students qualify for
Scholarships
Additional Funding Opportunities
12. SALT CREATED BY AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE12
• Specific Opportunities for Boston Public School
Students who take rigorous courses.
• Ollie Osinubi, Guidance Counselor, Urban
Science Academy
Additional Opportunities
13. SALT CREATED BY AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE13
• While AP classes and exams are best, here are
some other options:
• Honors Classes
• CLEP
– http://clep.collegeboard.org
• SAT Subject Tests
– http://sat.collegeboard.org
No AP? Not to Worry
14. SALT CREATED BY AMERICAN STUDENT ASSISTANCE14
The Board of Admissions
typically recommends that
students take the most
challenging curriculum available
to them. Advanced Placement
courses are considered more
challenging than regular high
school courses therefore our
most competitive applicants
each year will have several AP
courses on their transcript.
What Colleges Have to Say
-Sarah Thomson, Admissions Coordinator at Boston University.
16. Contact Information
Jodi Then, Education Advisor, TERI College Planning
– digregorio@teri.org
Paola Santana, Graduate Intern, TERI College Planning
– psantana12@yahoo.com
Ollie Osinubi, Guidance Counselor, Urban Science Academy
– oosinubi@urbansci.net
CollegeBoard
– AP ServicesP.O. Box 6671Princeton, NJ 08541-6671Phone:
(609) 771-7300 or (888) 225-5427
– Email: apexams@info.collegeboard.org
Editor's Notes
College Admissions is the most competitive it has ever been.
The median GPA for admission into Massachusetts State Colleges (Salem State, Framingham State, etc.) is a 2.8, or a B-.
AP classes help to make students more attractive to colleges.
Taking Advanced Placement classes can SIGNIFICANTLY reduce the overall cost of attending college.
Early Graduation
More room to make up classes
Less additional time required for dual majors or changes in major.
The full cost to take one (1) Advanced Placement exam is $86.
Most colleges require a score of 3 or above to earn college credit equal to one class.
Therefore, the most you could pay is $86 for one college class.
THIS IS A SAVINGS OF BETWEEN $337 - $6077!
are available to students who receive free or reduced lunch.
The cost of one (1) Advanced Placement exam with a fee waiver is $10.
The College Board, the State of Massachusetts and Boston Public Schools make up the difference.
THIS IS A SAVINGS OF BETWEEN $413 - $6153!
Colleges are most likely to award scholarships to students with a rigorous course load and high GPA
GPA for AP classes is weighted*
31 percent of colleges and universities look at AP experience when determining scholarships.1
1- Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research, Inc. March 2007.
Colleges are most likely to award scholarships to students with a rigorous course load and high GPA
GPA for AP classes is weighted*
31 percent of colleges and universities look at AP experience when determining scholarships.1
1- Unpublished institutional research, Crux Research, Inc. March 2007.
Honors classes can provide rigor if your school does not offer many or any AP classes. Going through an honors class not only shows colleges that you are challenging yourself, but it can help prepare you for CLEP or SAT subject tests
CLEP – College Level Examination Program, administered by the College Board. If you take an AP exam and don’t score well, or if you take an honors class and don’t have the chance to sit for an AP exam, you can take a CLEP test in any subject. The test is $77 and many colleges will accept CLEP credit. Check out the college board website for details.
SAT Subject Tests – Also administered by College Board, these tests don’t allow for earning college credit but might help with admissions and scholarships.
"We highly value AP courses in our review of applicants. The strength of a student's curriculum is the most important aspect of our review.” - Ann Bader, Senior Admission Counselor at Miami University
"AP classes will definitely help [the student] stand out in the admission and scholarship processes. Indirectly those classes may also help improve…SAT or ACT scores.” - Karen Scott, Texas Christian University