AP Classes and The Office

I watched The Office during quarantine, so it’s been a while since I’ve seen an episode. However, a clip popped up in my Youtube feed while I was taking a break from working on college applications, and I got a strange new idea for a blog post: 

Which AP Class would I recommend each Character from the Office take?

I’ve taken my fair share of AP classes here at North, and I think I can find a character that could thrive in each of them. I’ll go through various AP classes I’ve taken and explain my rationale behind why I think each character should take the class. I also want to make it clear that I won’t be basing anything on my personal experiences but solely based on the course’s content. (Also obviously AP Lit is the best class, so I didn’t include it because it would just be unfair to compare the others to it.)

AP Human Geography (Michael Scott)

Let’s start off with my first AP class, and how convenient, because I think Michael Scott (everyone’s #1 boss) should take this class. Although I can vividly imagine Michael Scott looking at a population pyramid and making an extremely offensive joke, I think he’d slowly learn. Taking this class would be a great way for him to finally open up his worldview and learn about other countries. In the show, we see him as a boss with a humorous demeanor, but underneath, it isn’t an understatement to say he’s ignorant. He’ll be much better at connecting with his employees once he learns more about religion, migration, and population trends. He’ll get all the jokes out of his system and maybe even grow to be more accepting. It would also help him get HR off his back.

AP Computer Science A (Nick)

I know what you’re thinking. “Who’s Nick?” Exactly. Nick is the IT guy who ends up quitting in season 6 with fury, exposing everyone’s secrets on his way out the door. Nick needs to be in an environment that values his knowledge and tech skills. Thus, AP Computer science A is perfect for him. Although he’s likely familiar with the course material, he’ll finally be surrounded by people who can appreciate his work.

AP Physics 1 (Jim)

Jim needs AP Physics 1. AP Physics 1 needs Jim. What better way for him to master his technical pranks against Dwight? He could learn how to use physics to create a Rube Goldberg machine that will annihilate Dwight. Even if he’s already familiar with basic concepts such as Newton’s laws, AP Physics 1 is a great way to understand the intricacies and mathematics behind forces and motion, torque, and velocity. He can use these concepts to his advantage if he ever decides to pull a prank on Dwight using office supplies. Once he’s acquired the knowledge to maneuver his pranks perfectly, he will be unstoppable and the best menace the office has ever seen. 

AP Biology (Dwight)

It serves well to follow Jim with Dwight. Dwight would excel in AP Biology and use these skills to his evolutionary advantage. I think his favorite units would be genetics, evolution, and ecology. He’d love learning about the survival of the fittest and could contribute lots of interesting theories to class. Dwight already has such a strong conceptual understanding of the topics, so he’d ace the FRQ portion. Who knows, he might even discover some new species or bacteria along the way.

AP Calc BC (Todd Packer)

Todd Packer would hate calculus, which is exactly why I’m putting him here.

AP Chemistry (David Wallace OR Jan)

I might be biased since I like Chemistry, but I think the subject is very sophisticated, just like David Wallace. For some reason, David Wallace gives me the same energy as an erlenmeyer flask: reliable, serious, and logical. Although Wallace eventually goes a little insane in the later seasons, there’s no denying that he’s motivated. He’d study for the tests, never miss AP Chem Lunch, and would always wear his safety goggles within a five foot radius of his lab bench. 

However, Jan also has the potential to thrive in AP Chemistry. Just imagine how many wonders her candle company “Serenity by Jan” could accomplish if she was able to produce an optimally-scented candle using chemical compounds. I can also imagine her naming a pink candle “phenolpthalein” that becomes a bestseller. The only downside to her taking AP Chemistry is that she’d definitely turn into an unrecognizable monster during the labs, but then again, doesn’t everybody?

AP Lang (Toby)

This class would be a judgement-free zone for Toby to finally complete his mystery novel. Plus, he would love the definition essay; it would be a great opportunity for him to express his thoughts about his divorce and recount his stay in Costa Rica. His classroom would also be on the furthest possible side of the school from the AP Human Geography room, so he’ll be safe from Michael and vice versa.

AP Psychology (Creed)

I think Creed could benefit from a bit of AP Psychology. He clearly knows too much, and frankly, they could probably show a documentary of him in class. He’d probably even be able to teach the class. However, he’d most likely be lurking somewhere in the back taking intense mental notes. 

Although they’re well past high school, I think that if characters from The Office were Naperville North students, these are the AP classes they’d take. I’m sure there are other classes I haven’t taken that might also be suitable matches, but I think these matches allow each character to learn something that would benefit them.