<p>AP Classes or Actual College Classes while in HS...which do colleges prefer? Does it make any difference with regard to admissions?</p>
<p>It all depends on the college. I’ve heard one school that doesn’t count dual credit classes as college level unless they are actually taken at the college campus. I think a lot would depend on the reputation of the college classes. Ultimately, admissions can validate your AP classes with an AP Exam score.</p>
<p>State universities typically have pre-arranged articulation agreements with in-state community colleges; in such a case, specific college courses are likely to be better accepted than the AP credit. Private universities may be the opposite case in that they would have to individually evaluate transfer credit, so you would not know if your college credit transfers until after enrolling, in which case AP credit is more easily known beforehand.</p>
<p>Yeah you should really check the college’s admissions website for more info about this. For some college systems however there are many courses they will accept from CC. I can only attest to this for UCs, there is a website that tells one all the courses that can be transferred from a CCC (and they all have honors credit for some reason). </p>
<p>Personally, I think if you find an AP teacher is tough, you may want to take the equivalent course in a CC. For instance in my school’s AP Calc AB class most got Bs so far, but I’m getting an easy A in my Calculus I class in my local CC because my prof is very nice and grades leniently.</p>
<p>Some will say to take the college course instead of the AP class. It really depends on your preference and how easily you can get into a course in a CC. In my local CC, HS students get last priority so low chance.</p>
<p>top private colleges are generally more accepting of AP credits than they are dual enrollment courses (college class taken at the HS for graduation credit).</p>
<p>OTOH, those dual enrollment classes taken at the local juco can be grade boosters for grad/professional schools. (Our juco is much easier than our HS AP courses. One reason why top colleges prefer AP?)</p>
<p>It has been my experience that AP’s have been much more in depth, and I feel I have learned a great deal more from them than the courses that I’ve taken at my local CC. That being said, all of the AP’s I’ve taken were online since my school doesn’t have any, so that may change things. </p>
<p>For me, my grades have been about the same in AP and college classes. As a general rule, CC courses are much less work. However, I have found confort in the types of questions AP courses ask. </p>
<p>Compared to my college classes, AP quizes and tests measure fairly accurately how much you’ve learned and understand the main concepts. CC classes’ exams are often rather random; normally you are tested on details rather than the grand scheme of thing. While I love to learn about fun details, I feel it is more important to first learn the main points. That is why I prefer AP’s. </p>
<p>Another important thing to think about is who the classes are designed for. AP classes, hence the name, are devised for advanced students. CC classes, on the other hand, are for junior college students. </p>
<p>Keep in mind, everyone’s experiences will be different, depending on teachers and the format of the class. If you would like to talk more, feel free to e-mail me. I love talking about the differences between AP & CC. In the end, it’s what the student makes of the class and if he or she develops a passion for the subject matter.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>However, the transferable CC courses are designed for students intending to transfer to a four year school, and the courses have to meet the four year school’s standards to be transferable.</p>
<p>Note that many AP courses are watered down. For example, it has become a common trend in high schools to force students to take calculus over two years, with calculus AB one year followed by the remainder of calculus BC the next year. In colleges, including community colleges, the same calculus material is taken over one year instead of two.</p>
<p>At many high schools it is necessary to take max AP load to get within the top 10% (for the weighted GPA-based rank). Top 10% and most challenging course of study needed for admission to top schools and to qualify for best merit scholarships.</p>
<p>What if the classes are in a major public state university such as the University of Georgia</p>
<p>All of the college classes I’ve taken are easier than any AP class that I’ve had. So I don’t think colleges look would more favorably to community college or a lower tier state college course over an AP class with a good AP score.</p>
<p>My D was unable to take AP courses so she took two classes through a Cal State school…not a CC. It was a program for high schoolers but there were all types of students in the class. I guess my next question should be…is there any way to tell a university during the application process that AP courses were not available and thus my D took a college course instead? Both were considered a GE required class for CSU purposes, I am sure they will transfer but how are they looked at for admission purposes?</p>
<p>UC and CSU look at actual transferable college courses as if they were honors courses for admissions purposes (i.e. +1 for GPA calculation purposes, up to the maximum number of honors points allowed).</p>
<p>Private schools looking at transcripts holistically may not have set policies, but making sure that they know that the applicant took actual transferable college courses (by sending transcripts, etc.) should help (unless a low grade like a D or F was earned).</p>
<p>Note that if the student intends to apply to medical (and perhaps other professional) schools, college courses taken during high school and their grades will need to be reported for the purpose of applying to those schools, while high school grades will not be counted.</p>
<p>I’d think they’re about equal. College classes expose you to a more mature environment and prove that you can handle learning in college. I’d suggest you go to a college class for something that really interests you and isn’t offered in HS and then take APs for things like Bio, US History and the like.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The first question for transferability to a (top) private college is whether that course was taught at the high school or the college campus. If the latter, the second question will be is whether the course was open to the general college undergrad population. </p>
<p>If HS and high school students only, top colleges would not necessarily approve it for transfer.</p>
<p>If college campus and yes-plenty of other undergrads, they would consider it for transfer.</p>
<p>Of course, the California publics transfer all IGETC-level courses.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Depends on the college. The UCs will look on them favorably as they would AP/IB courses. Private colleges are more holistic and it is probably case-by-case of the individual adcom.</p>
<p>I think it depends on (1) the type of student your child is; (2) the selectivity of the schools she’ll be applying to; and (3) what your goals are.</p>
<p>If your child is a strong student, capable of scoring a 4 or 5 on the AP tests, she will receive college credit for those classes at many universities. Some schools will even give credit for AP scores of 3. She’ll also get the added bonus of the weighted AP class grades, boosting her GPA and class rank, as well as demonstrating a rigorous course load… all very important if she’s applying to selective schools.</p>
<p>If your child doubts her ability to pass the AP tests, or to do well in an advanced placement class (and they do typically require a lot more work and study), then she’d be better off going the dual credit route. Those classes are, in general, less rigorous than many AP classes and, if she passes, she will receive the college credit without having to sit for a difficult AP test. This depends, of course, on the college she’ll be attending. As has already been said, you’ll want to check whether her target schools will accept dual credit courses. Many state schools do; many private or more selective schools do not.</p>
<p>If your goal is to accumulate college credits (thereby saving yourself tuition money and allowing your child to graduate earlier), dual credit is probably your safest bet, unless you’re confident that your child can score well on the AP tests. If your goal is to prepare an impressive college application with a rigorous course load and a higher GPA and class rank, then numerous AP classes are the way to go if your child can handle them. </p>
<p>Just a note: my D and her best friend will both be entering college with at least 15-16 college credits. My D has done this through AP classes (she’s a strong student and has scored 5s on all her tests; if she does that well on the 4 AP tests she’ll be taking in the spring, she’ll enter college as a sophomore). Her friend, on the other hand, is not confident with AP classes but has taken numerous dual credit and college courses that will transfer to the university she’ll be attending in the fall. They’ve gone different routes, but they’ll both be able to bypass several entry level classes next year.</p>
<p>Colleges like to see AP classes. Even if your grade is a bit lower than you’d get in a regular class (and they take that into consideration), it shows that you’re willing to challenge yourself by taking the most difficult classes your HS offers. If you’re able to get about the same grade that you’d get in a regular class, the added points will increase your GPA and class rank. And if you do well on the AP tests, you can earn college credits. I would recommend taking as many as you can handle without totally stressing yourself out.</p>