What Is More Valuable (A in AP or A in CC Class)?

Applying to College
1

What is more valuable? An “A” in 12th grade AP Photography, or an “A” in Beginning Photography at my local community college?

2

Is there such a thing as AP Photography? Since it is an Art type class, I doubt either one would make a difference.

3

I think it falls under the AP Studio Art 2D Design.

I’d probably get a grade bump for that, but would I get a grade bump for taking it in a community college?

4

Some colleges won’t give credit for the CC class, but will for the AP if the score is high enough.

5

You need to ask your HS which will give you a “better grade bump”.

6

And some colleges won’t give credit for that AP class, but will for the CC class.

I think the real issue here for the OP to clarify for the rest of us is: What do you mean by “most valuable”?

7

I guess “most valuable” can be the answer to the following…

Do colleges prefer:

  1. A questionable AP course that will have a grade bump and help with the GPA, or
  2. A student who takes a course at a community during the summer thereby showing more academic initiative.
8

My kids always took the AP course because their HS didn’t give CC classes the extra grade bump. CC classes would lower their gpa, class standing, and limit them from qualifying for some honors awards. And, as mathmom said, not all colleges accept CC credit.

9

Photography is a purely elective course. In my wildest dreams I can’t imagine that it will be any factor for college admissions if you take the class at a CC or as an AP in your HS.

10

^ I’d have to agree.

11

In the overall context of how you’ve done academically in 4 years of hs (eg grades, rigor, SAT/ACT) neither probably carry much if any weight in college admission process. Take the one you’re most interested in.

12

Thanks everyone!

13

On the whole you’d probably get more of a bump for getting a job in the summer than taking a class, but it sounds like the OP would be taking it during the school year. Who has the better teacher? When would you rather take the class? Is it a pain to get to the CC? Would you like to be with high school friends in the class, or would there be more interesting people in the CC class? I agree that an arts AP vs a CC class is going to be weighted about equally by most admissions committees and college credit (if that is a factor) will depend on whether you go to a public or private college in state or out of state. How the high school calculates the GPA for the choices the OP will have to ask the GC if he/she doesn’t know already.