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Is it more cost efficient to find a part-time job during high school instead of taking AP classes?
I've been thinking of taking plenty of AP classes through high school, but I'm not sure if the workload is worth the lower cost. Especially considering I've heard some colleges don't accept AP test scores.
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5 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
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Karin’s Answer
Hi Owen,
It all depends on you, your school, your performance and how much work you need to put into school, your financial situation and also your intended major and career goals.
Some considerations:
If your school offers AP/IB or any other option for more challenging courses like dual enrollment it is a good idea to take those to increase your GPA and demonstrate to colleges that you are ready for college-level work. But: consider the time you need to invest and don't overload your schedule (and "schedule" includes hobbies, friends, free time etc). It is better to get a good grade in the basic module than to fail an AP module.
Taking on a part-time job during high-school is also recommended to get some work experience, develop some transferable skills and show dependability and work ethic. But: your job should not impact your school work and still leave time for hobbies, friends, free time etc. If you absolutely depend on the extra income to stay in school and keep the family afloat though, that balance might have to shift.
If you are going for a super competitive career like going to medical school/dental school/veterinary school, they will look at your GPA but they also want to see that you went for challenging courses and performed well. The admission office will check what is available to you at your school. If AP was offered, but you never took any, that will be seen as a negative.
If you are going for a career in a medical field, you will also need volunteer hours and experience in a medical field which is often not paid when you are still in high-school. So, that would add a third component to your college prep.
Colleges will look at your application holistically. GPA is important. Test scores are important. Challenging courses are important. Work experience and volunteering are important. You probably can't do it all and do it all well. And that's ok. Thrive for a healthy balance of different components in your profile but also get some depth and long-term commitment.
Your essays are the place to introduce yourself and talk about your passions and limitations, why you spent a lot of time on x but not so much on y and what you will bring to campus that would be attractive for the school. For example, if you are an Olympic-level gymnast and have 6 hours of training per day you will obviously not have as much time to have a job and keep up with school.
Only you can decide if putting more time into AP courses or getting a job is more important and beneficial for you personally.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
It all depends on you, your school, your performance and how much work you need to put into school, your financial situation and also your intended major and career goals.
Some considerations:
If your school offers AP/IB or any other option for more challenging courses like dual enrollment it is a good idea to take those to increase your GPA and demonstrate to colleges that you are ready for college-level work. But: consider the time you need to invest and don't overload your schedule (and "schedule" includes hobbies, friends, free time etc). It is better to get a good grade in the basic module than to fail an AP module.
Taking on a part-time job during high-school is also recommended to get some work experience, develop some transferable skills and show dependability and work ethic. But: your job should not impact your school work and still leave time for hobbies, friends, free time etc. If you absolutely depend on the extra income to stay in school and keep the family afloat though, that balance might have to shift.
If you are going for a super competitive career like going to medical school/dental school/veterinary school, they will look at your GPA but they also want to see that you went for challenging courses and performed well. The admission office will check what is available to you at your school. If AP was offered, but you never took any, that will be seen as a negative.
If you are going for a career in a medical field, you will also need volunteer hours and experience in a medical field which is often not paid when you are still in high-school. So, that would add a third component to your college prep.
Colleges will look at your application holistically. GPA is important. Test scores are important. Challenging courses are important. Work experience and volunteering are important. You probably can't do it all and do it all well. And that's ok. Thrive for a healthy balance of different components in your profile but also get some depth and long-term commitment.
Your essays are the place to introduce yourself and talk about your passions and limitations, why you spent a lot of time on x but not so much on y and what you will bring to campus that would be attractive for the school. For example, if you are an Olympic-level gymnast and have 6 hours of training per day you will obviously not have as much time to have a job and keep up with school.
Only you can decide if putting more time into AP courses or getting a job is more important and beneficial for you personally.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Hi Owen! There's no perfect answer to your question. Taking AP classes in high school gave me more confidence in choosing my major, which probably helped save time and money. I also know people who worked part-time instead and I would say that financially they were set up a little better. However, it really depends on what major you're interested in, where you want to go to school, your financial situation, etc.
To get the best of both worlds, maybe you can tutor AP classes that you're in for extra money or work a part-time job related to what you hope to major in.
To get the best of both worlds, maybe you can tutor AP classes that you're in for extra money or work a part-time job related to what you hope to major in.
Updated
Jing’s Answer
Hi Owen,
It depends on your real situation, both are valued, as a student what you can consider from some areas:
1. The most important is how many hours you work, light work can coexist with AP classes, but academic performance should be considered strongly firstly
2. What the real value of part-time job can add you? If the part-time job you are going to take can add more value to your experience, skills and can increase interests, finances, or meet family needs, then go to part-time job
3. From long term perspective, is part-time job connected to the major you'd like to apply in University or career you want to develop, If yes, it's good chance for you to take during high school
4. Will part-time job impact your health or sleep? If yes, something needs to be changed
Take Care and good luck
It depends on your real situation, both are valued, as a student what you can consider from some areas:
1. The most important is how many hours you work, light work can coexist with AP classes, but academic performance should be considered strongly firstly
2. What the real value of part-time job can add you? If the part-time job you are going to take can add more value to your experience, skills and can increase interests, finances, or meet family needs, then go to part-time job
3. From long term perspective, is part-time job connected to the major you'd like to apply in University or career you want to develop, If yes, it's good chance for you to take during high school
4. Will part-time job impact your health or sleep? If yes, something needs to be changed
Take Care and good luck
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Owen, this is a really smart question to be thinking about early! Honestly it doesn't have to be either/or, but here's the real talk: AP classes can save you thousands if your target colleges accept the credits, so research the specific schools you're interested in before loading up, because you're right that some don't take them or cap how many they'll accept. On the flip side, a part-time job gives you more than just money, it builds real-world skills like time management, communication, and problem solving that honestly stand out on college apps and serve you long after high school. From my own path, I can tell you that the combination of strong academics and practical experience is what opens the most doors, because both show different sides of who you are. My suggestion would be to take a handful of APs in subjects you genuinely enjoy or that align with your goals, don't just stack them for the sake of it, and then use your remaining time for a part-time job or even something entrepreneurial that builds your skills and your bank account. The workload of too many APs can tank your GPA and burn you out, which defeats the whole purpose, so be strategic rather than going all in on one approach. Whatever you choose, just make sure it's intentional and not just what everyone else is doing!
Olivia Alford
I am a Strategic Initiatives Manager. My job is related to strategic planning and am a Project Manager.
61
Answers
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Olivia’s Answer
Hi Owen,
It really depends on your goals and what you can handle. AP classes can help you earn college credit and save money later, but they also come with a heavier workload, and not all colleges accept every score.
A part-time job can help you earn money now, build experience, and learn responsibility. Both options have value, especially if you need to earn income, so it is not about one being better than the other. It is about what works best for you. Some students even do a mix of both. The key is not to overload yourself and to choose what you can manage while still doing well.
It really depends on your goals and what you can handle. AP classes can help you earn college credit and save money later, but they also come with a heavier workload, and not all colleges accept every score.
A part-time job can help you earn money now, build experience, and learn responsibility. Both options have value, especially if you need to earn income, so it is not about one being better than the other. It is about what works best for you. Some students even do a mix of both. The key is not to overload yourself and to choose what you can manage while still doing well.