High-achieving high school students may find themselves presented with the option to take Advanced Placement (AP) or dual enrollment courses. Success in either would reflect positively on a college applicant’s transcripts, but the rigor, credit transfers, and ultimate impact AP vs dual enrollment will have on one’s chances of acceptance into a desired college differ in subtle ways. Therefore, determining which path is right for you or your child depends primarily on the student’s capabilities and goals.
Put simply:
- Dual enrollment involves enrolling and completing college courses at local community colleges or universities to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously.
- Advanced Placement courses are rigorous, college-level courses offered by your high school, for which completing exams may or may not allow you to earn college credits.
Academic Comparison:
AP and dual enrollment differ the most in whether or not their course credits will transfer into the college system. Dual enrollment college credits are automatically earned by passing those classes, but because they will appear on both high school and college transcripts, students should only commit to classes with the full understanding that their performance will impact their academic standing for the subsequent 4 years after high school.
Whether or not a student will earn college credits for Advanced Placement courses depends on both the student’s performance on AP exams and the individual colleges to which they are applying. Colleges differ widely in their policies on accepting AP credits, so it’s important for students to research this as they plan their college applications. Also worth noting: AP exam performance does not impact a student’s high school GPA at all.
In terms of rigor, dual enrollment courses are true college classes—taught at a college level, often on a college campus, with high school students learning alongside current college students. On the other hand, while AP courses are considered preparatory for the rigor of college courses, they are, at the end of the day, high school courses taught by high school teachers on high school campuses.
Other Considerations:
From a financial standpoint, dual enrollment courses are often offered to high school students for free or at significantly reduced rates compared to standard college tuition. AP courses do require exam fees, but often at reduced rates unique to specific high schools.
A third route is the International Baccalaureate (IB), an advanced program for students who would otherwise consider AP or dual enrollment but are perhaps interested in pursuing their higher education abroad. While IB courses have grown in popularity over the years, they are still less common in American high schools than the options discussed above. Like AP courses, students will take exams at the conclusion of their IB program (most IB courses last two years) that may or may not transfer into college credits at their schools of choice.
In conclusion, numerous opportunities exist for students to bolster their transcripts and increase their chances of acceptance into their desired colleges. Deciding between AP, dual enrollment, IB, or an alternate academic path requires honest self-reflection with a trusted advisor.
The Enrichery provides year-round college admissions advising to support students with every step of the process, from crafting standout application essays and resumes to applying for scholarships and more. With flexible scheduling options and numerous experienced college advisors on hand, let’s work together to ensure your child meets their full academic potential. For more information, submit a request to contact us at https://theenrichery.com/contact-us-submission/!
