AP vs. Dual Credit

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>I’ve run into a bit of a dilemma for my schedule next year, so I thought I could get some input from you guys as to how I can fix it.</p>

<p>Essentially, the state of Texas is giving budget cuts to a good majority of the school districts, including ours, unfortunately. As a result, our district has decided to implement a modified block schedule. One of the classes I want to take, called Health Science Practicum: Pharmacy Technician - essentially a class that prepares you for certification as a pharmacy technician - now takes up three out of the eight blocks we get rather than two, as I had originally thought.</p>

<p>The schedule I had planned on for next year is as follows:</p>

<p>AP English Literature and Composition
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
AP Chemistry
AP Government (1 semester)
AP Macroeconomics (1 semester)
AP Computer Science A
Health Science Practicum: Pharmacy Technician.</p>

<p>In case the schedule does not make the fact clear, I end up filling up nine blocks with the classes I want. However, our district implements something called “dual credit” in which students can elect to take a class at the local community college over the summer and get both high school and college credit for the class assuming they pass. In our district, AP Govt. and Econ. are offered as dual-credit classes.</p>

<p>With all of the above being said, my main question is as follows: Is it a good idea to take Govt. and Econ. at a local community college so that I can fit in my Health Science class during the school year rather than taking the corresponding AP classes? I mainly ask the question because I plan on enrolling to some of the bigger colleges (i.e. HYPS and whatnot), and I am not sure if they’d accept credits from a community colleges. On the other hand, perhaps they’d appreciate that I focused on taking places pertaining to medicine (as my future goal is to get accepted into medical school after college). What do you guys think?</p>

2

<p>You should take the course over the summer if you’re really interested. Other wise, since it won’t factor into your HS GPA or anything (I don’t know if you care more about this) it wouldn’t matter if you didn’t take it, and didn’t do the AP. the certification course you’re going to take is very unique, it’ll make you stand out as an applicant.</p>

3

<p>The big colleges are less likely to accept dual enrollment credit. They would more like to see AP credit. If you can, take the AP classes online to avoid schedule conflict.</p>

4

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<p>However, community colleges often offer transferable courses which are not available as AP, such as:</p>

<p>Multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations (i.e. math beyond AP Calculus BC)
Calculus-based statistics
Physics E&M based on multivariable calculus
Organic chemistry</p>

<p>Also, state universities often have articulation agreements with community colleges in that state to accept specific community college courses as equivalent to courses in the university.</p>

5

<p>In-state colleges will probably accept transferable community college credits.</p>