But do colleges prefer AP or dual enrollment accelerated programs?
If you’re stressing about this decision, it’s OK to breathe.
Yes, the path to college brings a new worry each week, but choosing which option to pursue shouldn’t be one of them.
AP courses and dual enrollment both offer what you and your ambitious student want: academic growth, a strong college application, and those time and cost savings.
The right choice depends on your child’s goals.
What are Advanced Placement (AP) Courses?
AP courses expose students to college-level classes at their high school. College Board, the not-for-profit organization behind the SAT, develops the material for each course.
At the end of the school year, students take an exam in which they must score at least a three or higher to receive college credits.
If your child tests well and prefers to stay within the high school class structure and schedule, AP courses may be for them. Other advantages include:
- Stronger applications: For many institutions, AP courses indicate ambition and college readiness, which can increase the chance of being accepted.
- Academic rigor: Standardized course materials and exams provide a clear, national benchmark of mastery.
- Higher GPA: Most high schools weigh grade point averages (GPA). AP courses hold more value and doing well in a class can result in a GPA above 4.0, which colleges notice. Exam scores do not impact GPA.
- Low cost: Students pay only an exam fee, which is $99 per test. College Board offers a discount on the exam to families in need of financial assistance.
Before you sign up for too many AP courses, keep these considerations in mind:
- Credit transferability: Some colleges do not accept AP courses for credit, even if you earned a three or higher on the exams. Use the AP Credit Policy Search tool to see what your child’s desired school accepts.
- High-stakes structure: The ability to earn course credit depends on one exam performance, which can be stressful for some students. Additionally, if they do not do well, time-cost savings become moot.
- Limited availability: Not every high school offers AP courses or all 40 courses available to take.
What is Dual Enrollment?
With dual enrollment, students complete college courses while still in high school, earning credit for their diploma and undergraduate degree at the same time.
They usually take these classes at a local community college or university, or online. With Portage Learning’s self-directed courses, students can complete classes on a schedule that works best for them. Credits transfer to over 2,500 institutions.
Families like dual enrollment because it awards credit based on a student’s overall performance rather than a single exam. Dual enrollment also:
- Allows your child to get used to the academic environment before leaving the comfort and support of home.
- Expands students’ course options, providing access to subjects in their area of academic interest or beyond their high school’s standard acceleration programs.
- Reduces the time needed to earn a bachelor’s degree. Depending on the courses taken, high schoolers may be able to shave off nearly two years of their college education.
For all its benefits, though, dual enrollment can impact your child’s high school experience. Families should also understand:
- Out-of-pocket expense: Besides tuition, students must pay for textbooks and other materials. Some states and districts fund dual enrollment programs, making it free or discounted for those eligible. Online college courses at Portage Learning cost $223 per credit.
- Credit transferability: Generally speaking, dual enrollment credits transfer if a student plans to attend the college they took the class through, or if they go to a university within the same state. Students interested in earning a post-secondary degree at private or out-of-state institutions need to check whether they accept dual enrollment credits.
- Perception: The quality of dual enrollment courses depends on the institution and instructor, which admissions officers may weigh when reviewing an application. A student’s grade appears on both high school and college transcripts too, impacting cumulative GPAs.
What Do Colleges Actually Prefer?
AP courses and dual enrollment give admissions officers insight into your child’s motivation and readiness for higher education.
According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, in 2023, 76.8 percent of member four-year colleges rated high school grades in college prep classes as the most important factor in deciding whether to accept a student.
During high school, your child’s grades should consistently improve, and students should opt for a more rigorous curriculum. Those with a slightly lower GPA can impress colleges if their course selections demonstrate ambition. Admissions officers want to see students challenge themselves rather than participate in one accelerated program over another.
They also consider:
- Standardized test scores
- GPA
- Extracurricular activities
- Personal essays and statements
- Letters of recommendation
- Campus fit
How to Ultimately Decide (P.S. — You Can Do Both!)
As families debate which option to pursue, they must know their child’s long-term academic and personal goals as well as college preferences.
If a student wishes to go to a university 1,000 miles away from home, it’s unlikely the institution will accept the credits from the dual enrollment program offered by your local community college.
Other questions to ask include:
- How does your child handle stress and pressure?
- Will the coursework fit their schedule?
- Can your family afford it?
- What courses can a student access in your area?
And if you really can’t decide? Many families combine AP courses and dual enrollment, leveraging the benefits of both to meet their student’s needs.
Final Thoughts: AP vs Dual Enrollment Isn’t Either/Or
Choosing to attend college — and enrolling in an accelerated program to achieve that goal — represents a major life decision.
But here’s a question you don’t have to answer: “Do colleges prefer AP or dual enrollment accelerated programs?”
As we’ve just outlined, both options can set you up for success.
(High-quality dual enrollment opportunities can be hard to find. Portage Learning is a trusted option. Students benefit from flexible, accredited online college courses that can transfer to over 2,500 institutions. Make it easy for motivated students to start earning college credit now by exploring our course offerings.)
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