COLLEGE TOUR PARENT/STUDENT TOUR THIS YEAR MONDAY, JUNE 6 – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8 VISIT: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA INCLUDES: HOTELS, LUXURY BUS TRANSPORTATION, 6 COLLEGE TOURS, BREAKFAST AND DINNER EACH DAY GREAT FOR CURRENT 9 TH, 10 TH AND 11 TH GRADE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENT(S) SEE MR. DEWALT AT THE FRONT OF THE AUDITORIUM NOW OR IN THE LOBBY AFTER THIS SESSION FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Advanced Placement Program ® Park Vista Community High School AP and Dual Enrollment Night

Advanced Placement Program WHAT - courses give you a head start on college while youre still in the supportive environment of a high school classroom. WHY - taking the AP Exam sends a powerful message to universities that a student is ready for them, AND can enable students to gain admission, college credit, and placement into advanced courses.

Research Findings: College Admissions 98% of admissions officers anticipate continuing or increasing their use of AP in the future. 85% of selective colleges and universities say AP course experience favorably impacts admissions decisions. APs 3 primary uses for admission officers: 1) An indication of a students motivation to challenge him/herself. 2) Evaluation of how prepared a student is for the rigors of college. 3) Evaluation of a candidates credentials within the context of his/her own high school.

AP and College Success Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a bachelors degree in four years or less. Source: Camara, Wayne (2003). College Persistence, Graduation, and Remediation. College Board Research Notes (RN-19). New York, NY: College Board.

Who designs the AP courses and exams? The AP committees are composed of leaders, college professors and experienced AP teachers, in their fields who bring cutting-edge content knowledge and expert teaching practices to the development of AP courses, which are reviewed and revised annually. AP committee members currently teach at dozens of the nations top colleges, universities, and secondary schools, including: Dartmouth CollegeUCLA Hamilton CollegeUniversity of Texas at Austin The Spence SchoolUniversity of Virginia Princeton UniversityYale University Thomas Jefferson High School

Why take the AP Exam? Most of the nations colleges and universities, plus colleges and universities in 24 other countries, grant students admission, credit, and/or placement for qualifying AP Exam grades. For example, at Princeton, students can use qualifying AP Exam grades to: Graduate in three or three-and-a-half years Enter upper-level courses Fulfill a foreign language requirement

Whats the difference between credit and placement? Some colleges award credit for qualifying AP Exam grades. This means you actually earn points toward your college degree. Others award advanced placement. This means you can skip introductory courses, enter higher-level classes, and/or fulfill general education requirements.

Can I earn College Credit or placement just by taking the AP course? Colleges and universities only give credit or placement for qualifying AP Exam grades, not AP course grades. Without a corresponding AP exam grade, they cant verify that the AP courses you take are true college-level courses. One of the best standard predictors of academic success at Harvard is performance on Advanced Placement Examinations. Will R. Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Harvard University

Reasons why AP…Saving money If you earn a qualifying grade on an AP Exam, you can receive credit for the equivalent course at thousands of colleges and universities: I took AP throughout high school because it was the most interesting and well-taught program offered. When I reached college, I realized that I had accumulated a years worth of credits. I graduated from Michigans undergraduate business school a full year early, saving $30,000 and a years time. Nikki Baker, University of Michigan

Other reasons why AP…Stand out in the admissions process One of the best standard predictors of academic success at Harvard is performance on Advanced Placement Examinations. William R. Fitzsimmons Dean of Admissions, Harvard University AP Exams affirm the rigor of a students course work. Though admissions policies vary, if I were a student, I wouldnt assume that the college of my dreams didnt care about AP Exams in the admissions process. Bruce Walker, Director of Admissions University of Texas at Austin-+

Other reasons why…Be a step ahead I received a 3 on my AP English Exam, but since I love English and hope to take all the English courses that I can possibly get my hands on, I decided to take English 111 in college. My college class is covering the same material I studied in AP English. Thanks to my experience preparing for the free-response questions, my frequent essay exams are a breeze. By taking AP, Im a step ahead of the others in my class. I know the material and I know the process. Anne Elliott, University of Connecticut

Reasons why AP…Experience a college-level test The intensity of college exams catches far too many freshmen by surprise: Students who have prepared for and taken the AP Exams adapt more easily to taking college essay exams, and are especially skilled in including a thesis and a well- developed argument. They are also less intimidated by sophisticated, college-level multiple-choice questions that seek to test understanding over memorization. Robert Blackey, Professor of History CSU, San Bernardino

AP courses offered by Park Vista: English Language English Literature Spanish Language French Language Human Geography Psychology World History European History U.S. Government & Politics Music Theory Comparative Politics Environmental Science Chemistry Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Statistics Studio Art 2D Studio Art 3D U.S. History Micro Economics

Whats the cost of taking an AP course? AP courses and exams are developed and scored by the College Board, a not-for-profit membership association dedicated to helping students connect to college success and opportunity. There is NO fee to take an AP course.

Grade Values for Classes (AP Credit Given Only When AP Exams Are Taken) Regular Credit A=4.0 B=3.0 C=2.0 D=1.0 Honors Credit A=4.5 B=3.375 C=2.25 D=1.125 AP Credit A=6 B=4.5 C=3.0 D=1.5

AP Credit and Placement Policy Information Colleges and universities throughout the world offer credit and/or placement for qualifying Advanced Placement Exam scores. Information about AP credit and placement policies at many colleges and universities is now available on the College Boards Web site:

1.Go to 2.Type in the name of the college or university whose AP policy you want to view (or browse by letter of the alphabet). 3.You will see two things for each school that has provided their AP credit policy info: A link to the colleges own Web page that details its AP credit and placement policies. A statement by the college or university about its AP policy. AP Credit and Placement Policy Information

Dual Enrollment Earn college credit while at PVCHS Eligible for students with a 3.0 or above (Seniors with a 2.5 can take Strategies for College Success Class) Choose Park Vista (new to PVCHS this year), Palm Beach Community College or Florida Atlantic University A grade of C or better must be earned Confirm application deadline with your counselor Remember!!! Dual enrollment classes become part of your permanent college transcript and impact eligibility for financial aid and scholarships!

Advanced Placement Process Applications received today and available from AP teachers and guidance Completed applications due to the AP teachers by January 28, 2011 List of accepted students will be posted in glass case outside Guidance on February 7, 2011 Students MUST then get AP course selection sheet in guidance, get teacher and parent signature and attach to PV Course selection sheet to turn into English or Social Science teacher by February 25, 2011.

Interested? Go to classrooms to gather more information about AP courses. Go to room for further information about Dual Enrollment See your guidance counselors for more information.