I was wondering this because I was thinking about taking precalculus at an community college this summer. I’ve already looked into other colleges in my state, but they require you to have taken the ACT or SAT for enrollment and I will be taking that my junior year and not in the summer. I already am accepted into this community college, so applying and everything is already done.
P.S. I would have to continue math at this community college until I reach/am taking calculus 1, which by that point I will have taken the ACT/SAT. And obviously, I couldn’t switch to AP calc AB halfway through the year.
Also, I am already taking a history course there next semester because I didn’t have enough room in my schedule to take it at my school, even though I was recommended for APUSH.
AP classes are preferred over equivalent community college classes because they are more standardized. Is there a reason you don’t want to take pre-calculus at your high school in your junior year, followed by AP Calculus in your senior year?
Do what makes the most sense academically and with your schedule. If the answer to, “Why did you choose community college over AP?” isn’t, “Because that was the easier A,” I think typical colleges will be okay with it.
While many courses aren’t standardized, the calculus sequence is actually pretty standard.
Community college classes require more autonomy and an ability to follow a faster pace. It’s good if you wish to accelerate as long as you can handle the pace and autonomy.
This topic has been covered quite a bit on CC. Use the search feature and see if you can find some of the old threads.
DE can be great in many situations . . . bonus if you can get college credit and h.s. credit simultaneously.
Negatives to DE - if you do poorly the DE grades may travel with you to college. If you are looking at elite colleges sometimes AP is more favorable.
For our son DE worked out great. Got him used to the pace and style of college courses, and since he went to a state university some of his credits transferred. All this being said, he was homeschooled and APs were tougher for us to coordinate (so we weren’t as motivated for AP).
This is my quick, general answer (running out the door) but there is much nuance to this topic. Hoping you can find some old threads.
There’s no AP Precalculus, so for now this is a non-issue.
DE calculus might not count for credit at whatever college you ultimately attend, but Calculus I/II is certainly faster paced than AB (comparable to BC).
In my opinion Colleg algebra/trig is certainly impressive for a highschooler, for reasons @MYOS1634 stated.
And, just picking up on the fact that we’re talking about summer…
Summer classes are also faster paced than during the school year. The material is the same, but the semester is shorter. Make sure to allow plenty of time for keeping up with studying and homework. I generally recommend only taking one class in the summer for a first-time community college student.
@halcyonheather @AroundHere @MYOS1634 @SouthFloridaMom9 @OMPursuit
Thank you for so much input!
By the time I will be start that class, it will be my second class there. And the college precalculus class is split up into two semesters (so I would take it summer and fall semesters.) That’s actually why I’ve opted not to take precalc during my school’s summer school, as it’s only eight weeks long and it all online. I’d have a lot more time to grasp the information at the community college-during the summer especially-as that’s the only class I’m going to take there in the summer.
And actually, it’s also cheaper for me to take the community college class than the summer school course my school offers. We have College Credit Plus- so all costs of the class are paid for as long as you get above a C in the class.
I’m also really glad that CC classes are pretty much weighted the same or even above AP classes. That really helps me relieve any worry I had about that, lol.
Have any of you had experience with taking a math class at a community college in high school?
I took trig online(!) at my CC last summer as a rising sophomore!
Any specific questions?