<p>hey, im gonna b a jr next year at local public high school. the thing is, my high school isnt of the greatest caliber. my schedule for next year is gonna be:</p>
<p>Calc AB AP
Spanish 3 H
US Hist H
English 11 AP
Bio H
Physics AP</p>
<p>im lookin into an engineering major. so my question is, which would look better when applying to a college - an AP class or a class at a JC? if i took classes at the JC, my schedule would be:</p>
<p>Spanish 3 H, US Hist H, English 11 AP, Bio H</p>
<p>then id leave campus at lunch and go to the JC for Physics and Calculus. the advantages i see of taking the classes at a JC instead of AP at high school are that the classes at a JC r easier than AP. also, you get a full years worth of credit in 1 semester AND theres no need for an AP test, college credit is automatic. also if i do this for the fall semester, i can take 2 more classes at the JC for the spring semester, probably courses in the math and science fields.</p>
<p>i just wanna know which would look better when applyin to college - a kid who took 3 APs his jr year, or a kid who took 1 AP and 4 classes at a JC?</p>
<p>College credit is not automatic for JC classes. Many schools will give AP credit, but will not give college credit for junior college (or college) courses (partially because, as you state, "classes at a JC are easier than AP). Check out the requirements at each school you want to apply to before deciding to give up on AP.</p>
<p>thats the thing. i live in so cal and i was hoping to go to into the UC system, either UCLA, UCB, or UCI. all the classes i am taking at the JC are UC/CSU transferrable. </p>
<p>besides that, i would rather not worry about credit and just make sure that i look like a good applicant. i think that colleges (inside the UC system and out) will be impressed that i took 4 years worth of credits on high end classes while still in high school. which would they find more pleasing, 3 APs or 1 AP and 4 JC classes?</p>
<p>I personally think the 3 APs are more flexible - anywhere outside the state usually won't take your JC classes. And I'm not sure the UCs will give you credit for ALL the classes..</p>
<p>The colleges KNOW that JC classes are easier than APs. Consequently, transferable or not, they know that taking JC classes is slacking off and trying to get out of hard work. Since you yourself seem to grasp this, do you really have to ask which one to do? Gee I wonder which one makes you a better applicant, I dunno, maybe the one that everyone knows is harder?</p>
<p>I have a question along those lines. I'm considering taking Honors Calc I and Calc II at a local university instead of AP Calc AB at my high school. Is it a good idea?</p>
<p>Why do you think our response to you will be different than the response to Ohnonomiss? You have to pay for the classes and colleges may not take the credits.</p>
<p>well ok, the JC classes will be easier, but i think as a whole, the HS + JC idea is better. firstly i would be able to get better grades and have a higher GPA if i take these classes at a JC. also, my choices r 3 APs or 1 AP and 4 JC classes, 2 of which r taken by physics and calc. that leaves room for 2 classes of my choice, which i would then fill with classes pertaining to my major, such as comp sci or aeronautics. i think that i will stand out as a unique student who went the extra mile to take classes at the JC level IN ADDITION to high school classes. also, it will show that i have confidence in my major and that i know which track im headed.</p>
<p>Because classes vary from school to school, given the choice between AP and community college, take the AP course because while the course may be taught differently at different schools, the exam is going to be the same no matter where you take it. </p>
<p>Over all the AP course it will carry more weight with the college (because you compare apples to apples) vs. taking community college courses especially if those courses are not given in conjunction with high school and can be transcripted.</p>
<p>Colleges admire JC classes! They admire them because it gives you an opportunity to mature at a level not offered in AP classes... which are not harder.</p>
<p>Would college rather see you in a class with the cream of the crop at your high school (AP class), or the bottom 50% of your high school, just 2 years later (JC)?</p>
<p>AP students are much smarter and more motivated than their JC counterparts, and colleges know this</p>
<p>Just2Fitz, that's just plain and simple wrong. The "apples to apples" argument mentioned earlier is true, and I've never heard anyone here or elsewhere even suggest thast JC classes are harder than AP. APs are meant to be introductory classes at a 4 YEAR institution, and hence they are harder than JC classes.</p>
<p>You should be taking the most rigerous courses that your school offers. If your school offers AP classes, then you should be taking them and not trying to circumvent (that is what it will look like to the admissions committees) the process by taking college courses unless your high school offers college courses in conjunction with their curriculum or your high school does not offer AP courses. Even then, you are only going to be assessed based on what your school offers. If your school does not have AP courses, it will not be counted against you.</p>
<p>At many select colleges (especially the ivies, stanford and that ilk) you can not even get placement/ credit without a 5 on the AP exam. This is because AP Calc BC is the same exam no matter where you take it just as a beginning Calc course at MIT is going to be vastly different from a beginning Calc course at the local JC or CC.</p>
<p>It is very unlikely to get credit at those schools (maybe placement) because you got an A in a community college course as many schools will have you take their test to determine placement.</p>
<p>I know my D's high school offers courses at NYU and a number of other colleges. She took courses at NYU. While she registered for the class and was treated like any other student. She did papers, midterms and finals and her her final grades were sent to the school and placed on her transcript. In addition, she took the AP classes offered at her school.</p>
<p>drummerdude_07 and others with his opinion:</p>
<p>JC/CC classes are harder than AP classes because:</p>
<ol>
<li>You're required to do the work in the class such as, studying; in order to pass the class.</li>
<li>You gain a sense of responsibility by studying on your own or in group.
3...
4...
5...</li>
</ol>
<p>Here is what a college admissions counselor told me: "the advantage of this [CC classes] is that you will be better prepared for college."</p>
<p>The fact that you have an AP class with different guidelines, in which you have take one test to determine if you receive college credit(s) or not, is biased. For example, imagine if you're in an AP class in which all of the students slack off, but you're the only person making an A. However, when the AP testing day comes, you feel sick or fatigue and you don't do so well. Then, you have to wait another year in order to acquire college credit. It's idiotic to assume JC/CC classes are easier than AP.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You're required to do the work in the class such as, studying; in order to pass the class.
You gain a sense of responsibility by studying on your own or in group.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Are you saying that these same skills are not acquired thought out your K-12 education? For the most part there is some studying involved if one wants to pass the course. I know my D's kindergarten class was based on collaborative education; working successfully in groups.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The fact that you have an AP class with different guidelines, in which you have take one test to determine if you receive college credit(s) or not, is biased.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Why is this biased? everyone is taking the same exam no matter what high school you attend, no matter what preparation you had for the course.</p>
<p>
[quote]
However, when the AP testing day comes, you feel sick or fatigue and you don't do so well.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You don't necessarily have to be in an AP situation for this to happen. It can happen in school also.</p>
<p>All I can say is at my D's school you are only getting credit for AP courses most with a grade of 5 (you can get placement with a 4) or IB courses and you do not get credit for college courses taken before you were a matriculated student unless you are applying as a transfer.</p>
<p>Whether the JC classes are harder or easier than the AP classes is besides the point. (Although the OP did say that, in his particular case, they were easier and because he was applying to UC's he'd get credit. Do you really believe that the UC's don't know the JC he's talking about, or the high school he comes from? Do you really think they don't know that the courses at this JC are easier than his particular AP classes?)</p>
<p>The bigger point is that, easier or not, most colleges (not counting the UC's) do not give credit for JC classes taken during high school, while they do give credit for AP exams. Period. If the OP changes his mind and decides to apply to schools other than the UC's, he's SOL.</p>
<p>IMO, I don't think leaving one's high school to take JC classes instead of ones that are offered by the high school makes one a more attractive applicant. I'd wonder why bother, and actually it would make the student * less* attractive. (It's different if you're taking classes that aren't offered by your school.) If your school gives the course, take it there.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Are you saying that these same skills are not acquired thought out your K-12 education? For the most part there is some studying involved if one wants to pass the course. I know my D's kindergarten class was based on collaborative education; working successfully in groups.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>No, let's face the facts. In K-12, you really don't need to study to pass. It's simple math; you have class activities that make up for your quiz and test grades. Whereas, in a JC class, you have only 3 test[some vary]. You either study and pass the test, or not and fail.</p>
<p>
[quote]
In K-12, you really don't need to study to pass. It's simple math; you have class activities that make up for your quiz and test grades.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Maybe this is the experience in your high school, however it wasn't my experience attending high school ( NYC specialized high school) nor was it my D's experience in high school at a Top NYC magnet program where if you did not study you did not pass. She had teachers that did not beleive in extra credit because they felt it was giving you credit for not taking care of your business for if you were doing what you were supposed to be doing you would not need extra credit.</p>
<p>I know my D is currently a rising junior at an Ivy and they won't even give credit for community college classes taken in high school. If are an entering freshman and you are looking for credits, it has to come from either AP or IB classes.</p>
<p>I do understand that at some high schools have programs where you can take courses at a community college (even obtaining an associates by the time you graduate h.s.) and have those credits transfer over to part of your state university system in that case taking a CC courses could be beneficial as you will finish college sooner. I agree with Chedva if you should decide not to attend the state U, then you will be SOL.
However, if you are applying to a selective university, your best bet still would be to take the AP course.</p>