<p>I was wondering how dual-credit courses from a community college were compared to classes at high school. </p>
<p>My school offers a VERY poor selection in science courses (probably to grade 9 level) and so I have to take the rest of my science at a community college. The thing is, the classes are REALLY easy and I don't think it prepares me for University. Does anyone know if an intro science course could be substituted for grade 12 science courses?</p>
<p>At my daughter's high school, they can't get high school credit for taking a class at a community college that's offered by the high school. But if the school does not offer a class, they can take it at the community college and get both high school and college credit. Since your high school has such a poor selection of courses, check with the guidance office and find out. You might have to go to the school district to find out. Even if they don't offer dual credit, the college class might be a good idea, as long as you meet your high school's graduation requirements first. If you take the college classes, you'll be sending the colleges you apply to transcripts from your high school and the community college and the college classes should look good.</p>
<p>Thanks for replying. Yeah, so far I've taken Biology and done the SAT II for it. However, I had I not studied a test prep book for bio, I probably would have scored in the 500s as opposed to how well I did. Basically, the course I took did not really prepare me for even the subject test for that course, so I'm worried about how Chemistry and Physics will be for me.</p>
<p>I don't know about your high school or your state, but I know in Florida, any classes you take at a state community college will for sure transfer into any state university for the same number of credits. So in Florida, it wouldn't be a total waste even if your high school didn't accept it.</p>
<p>My southwest Virginia school has a few dual-credit courses. The AP English classes are almost literally sleeper ones, but I think it’s just (eh heh…) the teacher. She’s nice, but we’re not really preparing for a college English class, I think. Haven’t had experience with that, though…
AP U.S. History was a pretty good dual-credit course, again in part to the teacher.
I guess what I’m saying is: Does the teacher seem dedicated to teaching a higher-level class? Is the course material challenging? These two will be key factors in college preparation, I think.
I suggest you take them, if only for the chance of college credit, and they told us it looks good on applications. 'Course, you could take them for fun, too. ;)</p>
<p>Sure.</p>
<p>DE courses are a great way to expand your interests and showcase your “lopsidedness”. The only drawback is that you will miss out on some of your high school experience unless you choose the go with afternoon or evening courses (like myself). Also, due to commuting/responsibility for lunch, etc., you may have less credit/actual class hours due to this lag time.</p>
<p>If you choose to go this route, please keep up with you extracurriculars. Also, even though work may be menial, it still looks better than none at all. If you really are concerned that you are not learning enough content from such courses, a great way to truly show off your skills is to self-study for AP science exams. A nice record of 4’s and 5’s will truly make you application stand head and shoulders above most.</p>