The time of course selections is rapidly approaching. With it comes a new AP contract for the 2011-2012 school year that could sway undecided students who are considering adding AP classes to their course load.

The major difference in this contract and the one used in past years is that now students have to wait until after the first quarter, rather than after the first semester, to apply to drop an AP course.

Guidance counselor Mrs. Kathy Parrott attributes the change to the administration “feeling like the old AP contract was too harsh,” adding that “kids had good, legitimate reasons for getting out earlier than the first semester.”

Mrs. Parrott explains that students were previously prohibited from switching out of AP courses before the end of the first semester because it “helped kids to make a good decision” and discouraged students from “taking the courses frivolously.”

Mrs. Parrott believes that students experience “sticker shock” in which they “take a very challenging class, and have to get used to it and acclimate.”

However, she said, “some students don’t eventually adjust to the class, and the administration wanted to help these kids.”

For some students, the contract change will have an impact on their decision in whether or not to take an AP course.

Sophomore Kaelin Testa said that the new contract “is definitely a good thing. I’ve been thinking about taking AP classes next year, and the new contract might help convince me.”

However, some feel unaffected, like freshman Cliff Crawford. He says that “I’m not upset that it’s changed, but it really doesn’t make a difference to me either way. I’m going to take the class regardless of the contract.”

Mrs. Parrott urges students to keep in mind that “they can now apply earlier to drop an AP class, but that doesn’t mean that it will happen.”

Regardless of the contract, when thinking about signing up for one (or more) AP classes, it’s important to take your own work and study habits into consideration, and not to rely on the new contract to save you from the challenging course load.