Why Taking Honors & AP Courses Can Strongly Position Students for College
What AP and honors courses really are
Honors courses dive deeper into standard high school subjects, often with faster pacing and more rigor. AP (Advanced Placement) courses go further: standardized college-level curriculum, national exams, and potential for college credit.
How they boost college readiness
- Academic challenge & skills development Students in honors and AP classes develop critical thinking, research skills, tighter writing, analytical reasoning, and endurance for complex assignments. These are the kinds of skills college expects early on.
- Smooth transition to college-level work AP courses in particular simulate what college classes will demand—larger workloads, self-driven study, rigorous exams. Experience in AP helps reduce the shock of freshman year.
How they help in college admissions and beyond
- Standing out on applications Admissions committees see honors and AP coursework as evidence that you’re willing to push academically. It signals you took advantage of the “most rigorous” curriculum your school offers.
- Weighted GPA and class rank leverage Many schools weight AP or honors grades more heavily. An “A” in an AP class might contribute more to your weighted GPA than an “A” in a regular class. This can improve class rank and scholarship opportunities.
- Saving time and money With high enough AP exam scores, you may earn college credits or place out of introductory courses. That can reduce both tuition costs and the number of semesters needed.
What to consider before choosing AP or honors
- Balance & workload These courses demand more time and effort. Overloading on AP/honors courses can create stress. It’s important to balance rigor with mental health, extracurriculars, and overall well-being.
- Interests and strengths Align your choices with subjects you enjoy or are strong in. AP/honors in unfamiliar or weak subjects can lead to burnout or lower performance.
- Support & resources Ensure you have good teacher feedback, access to tutoring or study groups, and reliable tools (books, lab kits, software) as prerequisite.
How Ogburn Online School supports honors & AP success
- Offers AP and honors-level courses with rigorous curricula.
- Provides experienced teachers who give timely, structured feedback.
- Flexible pacing to help students handle the workload without falling behind.
- Systems for tracking progress so you can adjust your course load if needed.
FAQ
What’s the difference between AP and honors courses? AP courses follow a standardized college-level curriculum and offer exams that can lead to actual college credit. Honors courses are more rigorous than regular high school classes, but typically do not offer college credit and the curriculum varies by school.
Do colleges care if I took AP or honors courses? Yes. They look for evidence of academic rigor. Even if you don’t take many APs, doing well in the most challenging courses available to you (honors or AP) helps your application.
Can AP courses help me graduate college faster? Potentially yes—if you score high on AP exams and the college accepts those for credit, you can skip some introductory classes or fulfill general education requirements early.
What if I take too many AP/honors and struggle? It’s better to do fewer advanced classes well than many poorly. Monitor your grades, ask for help early, and adjust your course load or pacing.
Conclusion
AP and honors courses aren’t just about extra rigor—they’re about building readiness for what comes next: college, credential recognition, and strong academic foundations. With smart choices, good support, and realistic pacing, students who take these courses gain both confidence and competitive advantage. Ogburn Online School offers the framework and resources so that honors and AP students can thrive without sacrificing balance or long-term goals.
