What should I prioritize? I'm a sophomore in HS and participating in an early college program.

Applying to College
1

In this early college program, I’ll be taking two classes per semester for all 4 years of HS including each summer. Currently, each class is three hours long, with one class being two days a week (from the end of my HS class to 9:30 pm combined with my other class). This takes a considerable amount of time from my day which causes my studying/working time for my HS to deplete. These classes will only get harder and longer each year.

With this being said, this program allows me to earn my AS degree at the end of HS, saves me money, counts for my HS classes (meaning classes I take at the college counts for classes needed to graduate), my credits can transfer to my college and take away two years of college, and overall look good on applications.

But I feel like… it may be too much. Due to my college classes, I have less time for my HS work, which is causing my grades to slip a bit. I also have less time to prep for the SAT coming next year. Also, the classes I would be taking at the college would replace classes I would take at my HS, which lowers the amount of AP’s I could take (as we’re not allowed to take the same class), would this be bad?? I have also heard good things about the AP English courses that I would like to benefit from. I heard that it allowed students to improve their skills and write essays in a short amount of time, something I’m not very skilled in. ADDITIONALLLYYYY, it affects the after school extra circulars I can take. I’m interested in science, and a science-based club meets up after school every a few times a week. I’m not sure what I should do… I want to benefit from the program but it’s causing HS opportunities to lower… I’m stressed!! Any advice would be appreciated

2

AP courses cover what is supposed to be college frosh level material. College courses are college courses, but they may be lower, the same, or higher level in material covered than AP courses.

If you later apply to professional school (e.g. medical or law) or transfer to a different college, your college courses and grades will matter.

3

Thank you, but I meant if it would look worse to have less AP classes and instead take college classes.

4

Dual enrollment classes are considered rigorous. AP classes are considered rigorous. Either program of studies is fine. It is sort of like asking if green apples are better than red ones.

It looks like your HS has a well-organized dual enrollment program, so if that program works for you, stick with it.