Is it better to take AP courses in high school or AP-equivalent classes at a community college?

Question

My school gives me Advanced Placement credits, such as 5.0 and the AP name, for all the classes I take in a community college. I receive honors credits for those not on the AP list.

Answer 1

I'm going to disagree with everyone and say you should take them at a college. Not only will it look good to take college level classes in high school, but you can transfer them to your future university. When you have AP test scores, they will give you credits, but they probably won't give you credit for the class. For instance, if you take Biology AP and get a 3-5, they will give you, say, 4 credits, but if you are a biology major you will have to take their biology class. If you take it at a junior college, you can transfer it, and get credits AND not have to take the class again.

However, you should still take a lot of honors and AP courses instead of regular classes of course. But the AP scores aren't as great as the Princeton Review would have you think.

Answer 2

AP credits look great on your transcript. Even if you end up with a lower grade than what you would've made in a lower level class, there are 10 points averaged into your GPA. Also, it's a free college level class, you don't have to pay for the books, class, lab fees, anything that you're charged with at a college. Also, colleges look at the class course you take and hold AP courses in higher consideration, even if you don't do as well. The only downside is that at the end of the year, there is a cummulative test over the years material. You do not have to take this test, but in order to receive college credit for the class you do, and you must score a 3, 4, or 5 (being the highest) to receive the credit. It depends on the school and subject as to which scores they will accept. A 3 = 70, passing. Private college tend to accept only a 4 or 5, but public colleges accept a 3 generally. And the better thing about getting an AP credit instead of an equivalent credit at a college, is that AP credits will transfer to any college you want to go to, some credits at some colleges wont transfer. If you need any other information, you can contact through email. I hope this helps you, and good luck in the future.

Answer 3

If the summer class is at a college level (college algebra or higher, not remedial math) and you earn a C or higher in the course, you receive college credit for it. Keep in mind that college math classes are equivalent to 1-2 years of a high school class condensed into 6 weeks, and assign more work and have more tests in those 6 weeks than you would in the 1-2 years of high school classes. They're much harder than AP classes. AP classes are accepted by some (but not all) colleges if you get a certain minimum score on the test (3-5 depending on the school). If you don't get credit for it, usually you can at least skip the class unless it's something like a pre-med requirement - you can't skip those.

Answer 4

I took community college classes while in my junior and senior years at high school. By all means, take the college classes, but try to get classes that will transfer - don't waste your time (or other people's money) taking general education classes that a four year college or university would consider remedial. Get in the highest level courses you are allowed at high school and/or community college. For example, basic or general math might help you balance your checkbook, but colleges and universities want calculus.

Answer 5

Take them in highschool. It'll do you so much good. And they aren't as tough as they seem. That way if you have to use any of it in the future you've got the AP stuff to back it up. Regulars doesn't cut it, they don't give you as much and once you're out of highschool, everything will move much faster so if you don't get it then, you're outta luck.

Answer 6

Take them in High School, they are free.

Answer 7

why pay for them in college if you can take them in highschool for free...do it and do it now