AP classes VS. Community College Classes

How are community college classes perceived in comparison to AP classes by top colleges? Are they viewed equally? (Talking about core subject classes, such as Calculus)

Depends on the school.

However, a typical college (including community college) calculus course will cover material more quickly than high school AP calculus AB.

Like @ucbalumnus said, it depends on the school. AP’s are universal and are used all over the country. CC classes differ by each school and no two CC classes can be treated or viewed the same. The rigor is generally equivalent probably. Schools in the state of the CC can definitely consider it for credit but when you get higher up, it can get complicated.

If your school has a DE (dual enrollment) program where you receive HS and college credit for CC classes, that changes things up and gives your CC classes more of a “universal” aspect.

@TheDidactic Thanks for your input. I think my schools used to have DE, but now have eliminated it. I would be taking (Calc 1 and Calc 2) at a CC over the summer, and was hoping that that would look about equivalent or almost equivalent to taking AP Calc Ab and Bc. What do you think?

You may still take the AP exam in case the college does not consider your CC credit. You may find out which college you are going by the time registering for AP if you do EA/ED.

Depends on school but I can tell you that in my district CC classes are a huge joke that every valedictorian has used to their advantage, and of late this has resulted in a lot of weird graduating situations. My friend is graduating at 9th of 527 in the class at a public high school but he is attending Harvard while our valedictorian is going to a relatively unknown (and not necessarily impressive but hey, prestige isn’t everything and if you work hard wherever you go, all the power to you) private school, Florida Southern. AP Classes are much more difficult where I live and I always have seemed to get the most out of them.

I would say community college classes because from a practical standpoint, you can cover more material than through an AP course because the pace is faster. In the time you could do Calc I and a little Calc II in AP Calculus something, you could do both Calc I and II. My friend who did a lot of AP classes and a couple dual-enrolled said she wished she had done DE earlier - she could have covered a lot more.

My D’s friend just had the opposite experience, she wish she took AP instead. None of her DE credits were accepted by UMich including Calc1 & 2.

@billcsho I wouldn’t be able to do DE. I would just be taking them outside of highschool. I think they would count then

@SternBusiness DE or CC, the same rule applies. They are usually accepted in state and at most public schools, but some may not. UMich is particular tricky with that.

Typically students take CC classes if they have exhausted the higher level courses in their school. If this is the case, then it’s probably viewed in the same way as APs - you’re taking the most rigorous courses offered to you. If your school offers AP and you decide to take CC classes anyways during the school year (diff. story if you’re trying to get ahead in summer) then it might be questionable why you wouldn’t take the AP.

Michigan seems to be particularly stingy with transfer credit, so transfer students and those taking college courses in high school should check carefully at its transfer credit listings.

@dblazer I would just be taking them to get ahead, and thought it would be a good idea as long as they are viewed the same as AP classes. For my senior year, I would be on track for Calc Ab. By taking Calc 1 and Calc 2 at a CC I would be technically be getting further than just taking CAlc Ab at my highschool. Then for senior year, I have planned to take Stat and comp sci. So technically I have not exhausted the class at my high school, but I guess this would be viewed as getting ahead?

@SternBusines Taking CC classes to get ahead seems perfectly fine in that case as long as it shows up on your transcript but you should consider taking the AP exam so you have a better chance of getting college credit. Does your school not offer BC?

@dblazer it will show up on the CC transcript but not on my high school transcript (i am pretty sure). That wouldn’t be a problem right?

@SternBusiness Talk to your guidance counselor about how this would work - the bottom line is that you will want colleges to be able to see that you took Calculus and preferably with a grade. If you can show this (whether it involves sending one transcript or two) you should be good.

@dblazer Alright yeah I understand. Thanks for your help.

There should be a way it shows up on your transcript and you usually have to apply as an early college credit student through a program that emphasizes non matriculation. At my school I’m option 2 meaning as a junior I’ve currently exhausted all the high level math classes at my school therefore I’m taking a college credit Calc 2 class in the 1st semester, and linear alg or calc 3 the next semester and I get my report card from the CC then it gets added onto my transcript.

@brenduo101 I have not exhausted all the high level math classes at my school, so thats why it would probably not work.