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Which one do colleges prefer? AP classes or community college classes?

By Esmeralda1 (Esmeralda1) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 02:45 pm: Edit

I think that because APs are all at a national standard that colleges can evaluate they prefer them. The exception would be if you're taking a community college course in a subject for which an AP doesn't exist (or is not provided at your school)

By Texas137 (Texas137) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 03:13 pm: Edit

if you are taking a CC course for which an AP exams does exist, I suggest taking the AP exam at the end of it. That would give colleges a way to compare you to other students, plus maximize your odds of getting credit. Some colleges (I think Harvard is one) will give AP credit, but won't give credit for college courses taken during high school.

By Celebrian23 (Celebrian23) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 04:21 pm: Edit

i think generally cc classes should be a supplement, not a replacement, except if a class isn't offered at your school etc.

By Anglophile (Anglophile) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 05:24 pm: Edit

The way I see it, colleges want to know how well you will succeed at college. AP classes are supposed to be equivalent to college classes. CC classes ARE college classes (and don't waste your time as much as those pointless APs). So, take the CC classes, have a good time ('cause they're a lot more fun than AP), and laugh at your friends in the AP classes who are working way too hard, and probably learning all the wrong things.

By Texas137 (Texas137) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 05:52 pm: Edit

Take whichever course you feel will give you a better learning experience, but if you choose the CC course, you should consider taking the AP exam also (if there is one). This is from Harvard's website, but other schools have the same policy:

"Credit toward the bachelor's degree for new students not admitted as transfer students is offered only on the basis of AP or IB examinations (or other reviewed international credentials). The College does not grant credit toward a Harvard degree for courses taken at other universities prior to matriculation. Therefore, students wishing to be eligible for Advanced Standing are advised to sit for the AP examinations in fields they have already studied, whether or not they participated in a formal AP course in secondary school."

By Efs424 (Efs424) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 10:08 pm: Edit

Yale's the same way

By Anthem429 (Anthem429) on Saturday, October 09, 2004 - 11:18 pm: Edit

What about coursework taken at an accredited university? I took a class at Carnegie Mellon University, would other schools accept the credit?

By Texas137 (Texas137) on Sunday, October 10, 2004 - 03:02 pm: Edit

>"What about coursework taken at an accredited university? I took a class at Carnegie Mellon University, would other schools accept the credit?"

Some schools will. Maybe most schools. But some (like Harvard, and apparently Yale) won't.

College courses are worth doing, both CC and 4-year college. They look good, hopefully you'll learn a lot, and you might get placement. But I don't think you should count on credit. If there is an AP exam, and you take it and score well, you've improved your odds of credit. But even then, there's no guarantee. Credit is totally at the whim of the college giving you a diploma.