<p>I’ve been following this thread and find it interesting. NewHavenMom, I’d suggest that you ask your daughter what class she’d like to take at the university. As she’ll likely have to work hard in the class, it would be a lot more fun if it’s something she’d like to learn. I’m also not getting the need for so many AP classes, but again I’d leave that decision up to her.</p>
<p>OhioMomof2, given her choices, I’d probably go with the AP instead of the cc class. The only reason I say this is most top colleges won’t give credit for college classes taken in the high school, and she’s not interested in going to one of your state Us. If she’s able to take even one class on any college campus, I’d recommend doing so.</p>
<p>How about a course in a subject that she is interested in, but for which the equivalent is not offered at her high school as an AP course?</p>
<p>Note: if he has any thoughts of medical or law school, make sure to check whether these college courses taken in high school need to be shown to medical or law school admissions, which normally want to see all college courses and grades, including those taken while in high school. If so, this can be an advantage if she gets A grades, but a disadvantage if she gets non-A grades.</p>
<p>(If your user name reflects your location, it should not be hard for anyone to guess the “local ivy”.)</p>
<p>Touche’ @ Ucb! I see I can’t pull any wool over your eyes… Thanks for all of the advice. She has lots of classes to choose from and will decide in the next week or so. I love the fact that she will be able to take the class for free. We are responsible for the book, which will probably run about 150-200 bucks. Which isn’t bad at all. And yes, she has med school in her cross hairs. So I am glad that you were kind enough to give that little piece of info as I didn’t know that med schools want to see ALL college courses taken. Even in high school. Sorry to jack your thread OP.</p>
<p>Again, with med school in the potential future, DO NOT take Bio or Chem as a college class at the high school level (AP is fine - don’t shy away from that - but DON’T use the credits in college - most colleges won’t allow you to if going pre-med, but some will leave it up to the student). Also do not take these as summer courses or at a cc. While undergrad places may not care, med schools sometimes do as they feel the class is “easier” and an attempt by the student to skip a weeder class. Trying to take the “easy” route is not a character trait they are looking for in potential med students. Two different med school admissions reps emphasized this at sessions we attended. They will make exceptions for someone who decided upon med school later in life if that’s the way they did it, but they don’t want to see it in those planning on med school and plotting how to get there. </p>
<p>My guy had already taken Microbio at the cc so my heart skipped a couple of beats at the time, but they assured me Micro was ok (and good that he got an A as it WILL count toward the science GPA). It was the specific pre-req classes they are concerned with (Bio, Chem, O Chem, and sometimes Calc - they are more lenient with Calc, but we, personally, opted for the 4 year school - just in case). If concerned at all about med school choices, I’d suggest making an appt to talk with a “local Ivy” Pre-med adviser. ;)</p>
<p>Med school admissions is tough and one should learn a bit about it if wanting to head that way to avoid potential nicks on the application. Pre-med advisers at colleges often know the specifics, but high school guidance folks don’t always.</p>
<p>NewHavenCTmom, I have been enjoying the discussion on your D too, no problem with your “hijack” at all :)</p>
<p>I’d also suggest she take something her school doesn’t offer. It’s such a great opportunity to be able to take a college class, and colleges offer classes on all kinds of specific topics that a high school simply can’t. I imagine she gets a course catalog with choices, I’d step back and let her go to town :)</p>
<p>She says she wants to take something that is challenging b/c the class that she is currently in now is so easy. I see it from the point of view of college admissions next year. But I know that enjoying the course is just as important. </p>
<p>The ivy actually does everything online now, so there are no ackward books to leaf through which is nice. She can actually do a drop down of days she wants to attend, times of day etc! So easy! I think I looked and there are 382 classes for the days/times that she is available.</p>
<p>I’ve read a lot of this thread, and a few others on the same topic. After hearing it from the other side, I realize the difference between choices you make if you’re planning to apply to private schools or maybe OOS schools.</p>
<p>My kids who all went to state schools, took a LOT of dual classes at a quality junior college. I think it was the right choice for them because they transfer to any state school, and it gave them a preview of a college class out of their normal high school setting. And the final college credit in the class did not hinge on the results of ONE test.</p>
<p>I agree with cromette. My D was in a dual enrollment program her last two years of HS and took all her classes at the local highly regarded CC. She is now enrolled as a freshman at a Univ of Ca. She was given credit for almost all her CC classes. Her roommate who had only AP was not given credit for some of her AP’s due to scores of a 3 or 4. Where the dual enrollment units helped- she had taken a college level English class and did not have to take the UC English placement test. For winter quarter she had an earlier registration time then most of her dormmates. This allowed her to get all of her winter quarter classes that she wanted at the time she wanted them. Her roommate who registered 12 hours later did not get any of her classes. She also adjusted easily to the pace and format of college courses.</p>
<p>I’d definitely let her decide. If my guys were deciding, it would be tough for them to pick just one from such a long list… They’d probably start with a “short list” of 20 or 30 they would like, then have to whittle down. ;)</p>
<p>Perhaps she can also consider how common the courses are at other colleges. For example, introductory economics is offered almost everywhere, but perhaps some of the more unusual courses could give her an opportunity to take a course that she would not be able to take if she eventually went to a different college.</p>
<p>She went in with almost ALL of her core curriculum out of the way which left her to really focus on her music and gave her more practice time. She only had to take one science and one math class, and they didn’t have to be too terribly difficult.</p>
<p>D3 is an engineering major and she’ll have all of her history, political science, english, and economics out of the way (combination of dual and AP) - That will give her more time to focus on her very difficult weed out classes the first year. It cuts 9 hours out of her first year. Also, she will have finished college Chemistry I & II. They will not apply for her degree plan at her 4 year school, but I have to think it will help her in General Chemistry for Engineers.</p>
I see I can’t pull any wool over your eyes…