My son in 11th grade has the choice of taking the same calculus class as EITHER “dual credit” (a.k.a. “concurrent enrollment”) through the nearby Boise State University (Idaho), OR as an AP class, preparing him for the AP calc test. It is exactly the same class, but he has to choose one or the other. Anyone have ideas on the plusses or minuses of either route?
FWIW, my daughter’s experience was that AP credits were more easily accepted than dual credit. For APs to “count” she just had to submit her official scores and there was an easy to follow rubric as to what courses could be skipped. For the dual credit, she had to send in the syllabi and have them reviewed by professors and she didn’t get a decision until two weeks before she started college if they would be counted. As such, I vote for taking the class AP.
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I would opt for AP Calculus AB or BC over the dual enrollment class. There is typically more in-class contact time when taking a high school class versus a college course. AP will provide the opportunity for your son to work with his peers providing significant academic & social benefits, such as learning & reinforcing complex concepts, both in class & through homework. I assume the high school & DE versions are both taught equally well.
AP Calculus (AB or BC) follows a strict national framework set by the College Board, meaning selective college admissions officers know the exact level of rigor and content covered. Dual enrollment (DE) math classes can vary significantly in difficulty depending on the partner college or community college. Because AP courses are universal, colleges can easily evaluate and compare AP Calculus grades and exam scores across different high schools.
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Good info! I’m assuming your daughter did NOT go to a state college in your same state, is that correct? Now, would you know, is there anything preventing my son from getting BOTH the dual credit and taking the AP calc test independently? In other words, could he take the class as the “dual credit” option and then just take the AP calc test on his own dime? (He’s taking the same class either way.) It seems like the high school will fund either/or, but not both.
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Why bother with the dual credit if the AP option is available?
Most colleges have published tables on what is or isn’t counted for credit or placement for various AP’s. I have never seen a college publish a “we count this, we don’t count that” for a dual enrollment class from another institution. Every case is considered separately; submit the midterm and the final (graded), include the curriculum, instructor’s comments, etc.
Why go through the hassle if the AP option is just a “5 gets you credit, 4 gets you placement” simple procedure? You don’t need to submit the actual test- a 5 is a 5 is a 5….
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Hi maijem 11. Thanks for reply. Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough. The calc class my son takes will be exactly the same either way. It’s just two credit options for the same class, but each student has to choose one option. The school will fund it EITHER as a dual credit OR as an AP class. I guess one advantage of the dual credit class is that, if he passes the class, he’ll likely get easily transferable credit in state colleges in our state, without having to take the AP. It sounds like if he chooses the AP route, then he will not get any potential college credit unless he passes the AP. So mostly I’m just wondering what factors might weigh-in to favor “AP credit” over “dual credit”.
Ultimately he wants to learn the material, not check off a box.
If that means a slightly higher bar with the AP exam to make sure he has learned the material before moving ahead- is that a bad thing???
Hi blossom. Thanks for detailed reply, although could it be that the “dual credit” acceptance is easier at state colleges in same state? Also, I’m wondering if there would be any problem with him just taking the AP test separately of his own accord, after taking the class as dual credit.
I’m not sure why the AP designation and test (nationally recognized) would be preferred over your in-state option, but perhaps the guidance counselor should weigh in?
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Thanks for clarifying. If you are 100% sure that you son will be attending college in-state, then the dual enrollment option would be ideal. He should be able to sit for an AP exam next May regardless of which option he selects. The College Board imposes no restrictions other than the registrant must be a high school student with a few limited exceptions. You need to check, however, if the school district will fund the AP exam for a DE student. I am assuming that they fully fund AP students for exams; some states do while other states do not. You may need to pay the $99 exam fee and also meet a fall registration deadline.
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Can’t imagine any public college in Idaho won’t take AP calc. You can look at the equivalency tables at each but all are non selective schools and even very selective schools will take AP Calc.
I was always told - you take dual enrollment when it’s not offered in hs.
Yes, my daughter went out of state.
It would be unusual for a student to do well in calc and then bomb the AP exam so I don’t think it would be an issue for your student to still get credit instate at Idaho with the AP class, and then you don’t limit him if he ends up matriculating to an out of state school.
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Maybe unusual but my son got a 5, bombed Calc 2 in college b4 getting an A.
My daughter got an A but bombed the test (Covid time) and struggled mightily with college math.
Schools have grade inflation galore. Maybe it’s unusual but not impossible.
I’m glad they didn’t skip out. No matter what you do meth is critical. I’m glad they had to power through and relearn, even if it took longer than expected.
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If it’s the same class with just a different designation, I don’t understand how that would impact preparedness? It would be up to the OP’s son to decide if they felt they had a strong enough foundation to take the college credit and move on in the sequence in college.
OP - many colleges will have old calc exams on line and students can take them to see if they are truly prepared to move on in the sequence. But it doesn’t sound to me like this is the question you are asking?
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Just pointing out the risk of relying on AP. But I’d still take the AP. Getting an A in a class doesn’t assuredly mean ready for the next in the era of grade inflation.
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Thanks for info– he will ask about taking AP test as simply an add-on in May. We’d have to pay for it ourselves. One challenge for the AP route is that his class will be during the first two “trimesters” of this school year, but the AP test would apparently come a few months later, in May, so anyone taking the AP route in his class will likely have to do independent review.
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Certainly not a bad thing. I’m just wondering about ease of credit transfer, not ease of the class itself.
Yes, he is not to that bridge yet. He/we are not even clear yet on what/where to study. But it’s good info to know about the old calc exams online. That’d be good AP prep review material, I bet.
For calculus specifically, AP scores are likely to be more convenient for credit and advanced placement at other colleges.
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Okay then, looks like you are both fully aware of the differences between the two alternatives. He’ll have time before May to prepare. Make sure he signs up for the right test, AB or BC.
Also, I am not aware of any college in the U.S. that requires an applicant to take a corresponding high school AP class along with an AP exam in order to qualify for credit or placement instead of just taking the exam & submitting an official score. Many students self-study or are homeschooled. This shouldn’t be a concern.
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