AP or Dual Enrollment

<p>I have a choice to make by the end of this month on whether I would like to go to a charter school or the regular High school. I am finishing my freshman year this year and have to decide if I would like to go to a charter school which is the 9th best school in the state or should I retain going to the regular high school I currently go to (50th best). The difference mainly though between the charter and regular school is that the charter school is purely dual enrollment to the extent that no AP courses are offered and that the only method available to take a AP course is through the state virtual school, but the school allows you to graduate with a AA from our local CC. The regular high school I currently attend on the other hand is mainly geared towards AP, but allows classes to still be dual enrolled at our local CC (but not to the extent of graduating with an AA). Though I also unaware whether I should aim for schools such as Carnegie Mellon and MIT or just for the traditional State school, if it helps I am planning to major in Computer Science. So point in short should I attend our High school and take mainly AP classes with the occasional Dual Enrollment course, or vice-versa at the charter School? Though I am aware that this may not be related to Carnegie Melon specifically though but I were applying to Carnegie would it be preferred to have the Charter or High school?</p>

<p>If you are looking for college credit, AP is more universal. Top schools don’t usually accept dual credits.</p>

<p>I am aware but is the time saved through the AA obtained at the charter worth the fewer credits comparison with AP, also if I were to go any public university in my state the credit is guaranteed.</p>

<p>You seem to already know the answer. So why are you asking the question?</p>

<p>Not exactly, I understand the differences between them but I am trying to understand which provides better benefits. What I really want to know though is if I where to apply to Carnegie or other universities tomorrow, which would look more desirable the Dual enrollment/AA route or the AP with a few credits on the side path.</p>

<p>You already know the answer. Dual credits are irrelevant to the big name schools. If they care, they would give you credit.</p>

<p>Ok then so it comes down to where I see myself in the future, thank you</p>

<p>Dual credit has certain advantages and limitations. The credits allow you to finish college much faster as long as you go to a school recognizing the specific entity issuing the credits, usually, in state state universities. </p>

<p>However, when you consider colleges that are not in state publics, they don’t provide credit. They also do not know rigor involved since each local college will have different standards. They do know what a 5 score in Biology, US History or English Language means since it is the same across the country.</p>