Dual enrolment or AP?

[BigT109]

I guess this can go for any academy but my school offers a few dual enrolment classes (Hosted by state college) for Juniors and Seniors. They are the same amount of credits as most AP’s but they are only a semester long. Our schools APs have a reputation for being tougher than other schools AP courses. Would it be wise to take more dual enrolments than APs? Or would sticking with a more standardised class look better?

Thanks!

 

[Academician]

I assume you are aware of the Academy recommendations:
· Four years of English (with a college preparatory class in writing)
· Four years of math (strong background in geometry, algebra, trigonometry and pre-calculus)
· Four years of science (lab-based and should include biology, chemistry and physics)
· Three years of social studies (to include a course in U.S. History)
· Two years of a modern foreign language
· One year of computer study

I would recommend taking the courses that help you cover these recommendations first. It is a bit difficult to advise on which ones to take without knowing the subjects/focus of your potential AP or Dual Credit choices along with courses you have already taken in high school. I hope this helps a bit.

 

[MidCakePa]

Our schools APs have a reputation for being tougher than other schools AP courses.

Here’s what an academy admissions consultant told us: Take the hardest classes your school has to offer — especially in STEM and English — and excel at them. (Full disclosure: DD ended up tackling the admissions process without any outside help.)

So instead of shying away from your school’s AP courses, why not say, “Bring it on!” Why not accept the challenge, push yourself beyond your comfort zone, use all the resources at hand, and achieve beyond what you thought was possible?

The point the consultant was making: SAs love those who rise to the occasion and fight through challenges. Because that’s what SA life — and ultimately, AD life — are all about.

You also might have heard: SAs have a reputation for being tougher than most other schools. As @Academician said, cover all your bases first. From there, welcome the challenge.

 

[T-37IP]

Honestly, it probably doesn't matter, just do extremely well in the toughest classes your school offers, while also excelling in athletics and leadership. High SAT / ACT scores, team captains, school/club presidents, Boys/Girls State, Eagle Scout, etc. Although academics are very important, AP versus dual enrollment isn't going to be the thing that keeps you out or gets you in. It is but one piece of a huge puzzle.

 

[HCopter]

Check with your school district as well.

SOME districts will give you the higher of AP score equivalent or your class grade. I didn't know it at the time, but there was an obscure rule that if you tested really high on the AP exam, the school COULD give you the higher equivalent. So if you got a C for class grade in Calc AB but a 4 or 5 on the exam, the school COULD bump up your grade to a 90 or better. But it would have be really significant for you to rock the boat. I didn't know and in the end, it didn't matter since SA DD's grades were in line with her AP scores.

 

[jaglvr]

What we told our DD was, "If you dont' get into the SA (she didn't), which will help you at a civillian school?" She went with the Dual Enrollment instead because it was easier to correlate the courses for credit we felt.

 

[MDRDV]

As part of the application your school counselor must send a school profile. This lists all the courses offered at your school. To me it would seem odd if for example AP Calc AB & BC were offered, but your transcript showed dual enrollment calc classes. Without justification it might look as if the student was trying to take an easier path. If math is exhausted before senior year, dual enrollment senior year for something like linear algebra would be obvious if not offered at your school. If AP is not offered for a subject dual enrollment would also be fine. Bottom line, take the hard AP classes at school and supplement with dual enrollment if classes are not available.