<p>Regardless of the admissions impact he should try to get the best calc course he can for the knowledge gained. Many students who have taken AP calc and sign up for the 2nd seemester of calc at UW find it much more difficult than those who had their 1st semester of calculus there. A mother told me her gifted D and a friend ranked calculus courses with AP, local yokel college, UW regular (not to be confused with the honors courses level) and their elite college in ascending order. Your case would depend on the caliber of the local college- does the HS or it teach more? If the locals know the college is better, go for it.</p>