I’m having a dilemma between taking Government and English at a local community college versus taking AP Gov/AP Econ and AP English 4. Both are offered at my high school campus, so transportation is not an issue. In terms of rigor, how do you guys think colleges view the two? I am applying to one public state college that would accept community college, otherwise the private schools that I’m applying to probably won’t take the community college credit. However, I’m not too concerned about the credit, but rather how colleges view dual credit courses vs AP classes.
Usually, a college level class would be a bit accelerated that one semester may be equivalent to one year in high school. But that depends on the course. Nevertheless, some college may not consider the credit of a community college class at high school. So you need to be careful about that. While for AP, it is more universally accepted although the credits vary.
That is really the deciding factor in this situation: whether or not the college will acknowledge the credit. I would recommend you call or send an e-mail to the private schools you are looking to attend, and see if they might accept the credit. Don’t automatically assume that they don’t accept CC credit.
I have always had this question in mind, as to how they view CC classes VS AP classes. I would say that AP classes have more value. For instance, my mother just finished taking an intro Bio course at my local CC (she’s going into a medical program). At the same time, I’m in AP bio, and my mom’s class hasn’t learned even a third of the things we’re learning in AP. So I would go with AP classes (which is why I also decided to take more APs next year vs classes at a community college).
CCs have always been skeptical in my mind; I feel that the classes simply aren’t challenging at all.
APs credit also depends on the score you get (as you may already know) and each college has their own distinct policy concerning AP credit. You can view them here:
Generally if the class is taken AT the Community College, they will be accepted at a four-year school, especially those that have articulation agreements with the Community College. Dual credit courses taught at a high school by high school teachers are riskier. @futuredoctor2028: Regarding your mother’s bio class: since it was an intro to Bio class, it may have been the equivalent to a high school (9th/10th grade) bio class. Many Community Colleges offer an intro Bio class that is at a high school level as a prerequisite for higher level bio classes. Your AP class is equivalent to a General College Biology class, which is a higher level. That is probably why the content is different.
It may depend on the quality of your community college.
One option is to take the college course but also take the AP test for double coverage. You won’t get double credit, but you will get credit or placement if the college you go to accepts one but not the other.
On certain college websites in the admissions section, they will often tell you if the prefer to see AP or Dual Enrollment or CC classes. You can also call and ASK someone in admissions. They will tell you. I think the very selective and private schools will most especially have an answer for you.
My D is taking dual enrollment classes at the local community college. She took 2 classes in Fall and is now taking 2 classes in Spring, she attends high school in the morning, and 2 afternoons she attends community college.
When we applied to colleges, I was under the impression that her A’s received during Fall (and again for this Spring) at community college would count towards her GPA. When I called the university she plans on attending this Fall, they told me that the credits will transfer over, but she won’t get any merit or recognition that she received all A’s because the classes weren’t taken at the in-state university.
So, yes, she’ll start Freshman year in the Fall with 12 college credits received, but unfortunately, those A’s she received won’t count toward her GPA (merit) from high school, nor when she starts college in the Fall.