Yay! You are finally in high school! Counselors and teachers are throwing so many different requirements into your brain, and these words are going in one ear and out the other. It’s hard to process all this new information, especially on top of the normal anxiety of starting at a new school. Some of these concepts that you may be introduced to include Advanced Placement and Dual-Enrollment. What are these two things and what is their significance?
For starters, I am someone who has heavily participated in both of these programs. I am essentially an unbiased expert. According to the College Board website, “AP gives students the chance to tackle college-level work while they’re still in high school and earn college credit and placement.” On the other hand, Dual-Enrollment refers to a student who is enrolled in two different academic establishments. This is normally in regards to a high school student who also takes classes at their local community college. For example, in my school district, I go to high school like any other teenager, but I also take 2 to 3 college classes each semester. By the end of my time in high school, I will also have an Associates Degree alongside my high school diploma. This means that I will save 2 years when it comes to my college progression! Sounds cool, right? However, this is not the case for every school out there. Some districts only allow you to get your General Education, while others allow you to take college classes as a way of making up high school credits. Make sure you check in with your administrator about your school’s procedure.
When it comes to Advanced Placement, the goal of the entire school year is to prepare for the AP exam that will take place sometime in May. It is not easy to pass the exam, and in the case that you do, you may possibly acquire college credit and skip entry level college courses. It will be a huge time saver, as well as a good decision financially since the exams cost around $93, which is a lot less compared to a college class. The test is graded on a scale of 1 through 5, and a score of 3 is seen as a passing score. However, some universities don’t even take your score in the first place. It all depends on where you want to continue your college education, so scenarios do change based upon each individual. For example, I started studying for the World History AP Exam in January, and after months and months of hard work, I was finally able to earn a 5. Take it from me, this entire process will require a lot of effort because everything resides upon this one single exam. I don’t really know which university I want to attend after high school, but it would be a huge bummer if they didn’t accept the score that I worked so hard for. Although, these courses do show the willingness to challenge yourself because they are more rigorous compared to normal College Prep classes. It even allows students to have a GPA boost and this is sometimes the motivating factor for many pupils out there who want to have an upper-hand when it comes to their academics. I am one of those students, which is why I am currently taking AP US History and AP Lang.
Furthermore, Dual-enrollment, which is almost like an alternative to Advanced Placement, refers to college classes in which if a passing grade is achieved, a student will automatically acquire college credit. This credit is then guaranteed to transfer to any state school. High school students have the opportunity to visit an actual college campus and interact with different types of professors and undergraduates. This can then prepare the pupil for their own college experience and offer a new sense of maturity. They have a chance at a higher GPA and they can possibly graduate early. However, it is another responsibility on top of a normal course load and some high schoolers just don’t have the time. It can sometimes get stressful and I would recommend having strong time management skills as well as a whole ton of motivation. Some are even held back by the financial factors of such classes. At the community college I attend, students end up paying around $300 for 2 basic classes (unless they are receiving some sort of aid from their school or the college they are attending). That is definitely a lot more than an AP test and the costs of free public school. Be that as it may, students actually save more money in the long term. Besides finances, all courses become a part of the student’s permanent record, there is less repetition, and they miss out on their true college experience. Most likely, they will also have to commit to a major earlier compared to students their age. But, do not let these drawbacks discourage you! Sometimes the pros can outweigh the cons.
Currently, I am taking AP US History, but I have already taken History of the United States at my local community college. I don’t need to worry about a major test and I still get the credit and the GPA boost! Maybe, it’s best to use both of these programs in conjunction? In my opinion, I tend to prefer Dual-Enrollment over Advanced Placement because I believe that it is a lot easier compared to an AP class. You have a midterm and a final, as well as many other assignments that determine the outcome of the course. There is more room for mistakes and learning, and I believe that it is completely and utterly worth it. I personally feel less stressed, and I have learned how to give adequate effort to every single class I am taking. In the end, I have found my groove and my likes and dislikes, it is now time for you to find yours.
- By Gurneet Randhawa
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