Choosing the right classes in high school can be difficult, especially when there are so many options to choose from. It can be especially hard to pick between Advanced Placement classes, often called AP, and dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment classes. They both give college credit and are known for their rigor, but don’t be confused as these two are very different and one is better than the other depending on goals.
AP or Advanced Placement courses are standardized courses meaning they go over the same topics and material in the same order. For AP courses, an exam taken at the end of the year determines if you get college credit by measuring how much you have learned. Simply passing the class doesn’t give you college credits; however getting an A in an AP course is usually worth more GPA points than a normal class. This strongly depends on the high school so it’s best to check with counselors. GPA or grade point average is a representation of your grade on a scale of 1-4, taken by converting your letter grades to numbers and averaging them. The amount of credit you get from the AP exam depends on each college’s policies, and AP exam scores are usable when applying to most colleges. If your goals are to strengthen your transcript and boost your GPA while earning some college credit, AP classes are a great pick.
Dual enrollment is different. The courses are not standardized and depend on the college you are taking them at, and unlike AP courses, the credits are not determined by a single exam but rather by passing the class. Dual enrollment courses can also allow you to graduate high school with an associates degree and diploma, saving you time and money. The main caveat is these credits might only transfer partially or not at all to other colleges when you graduate high school. However, if you plan on staying at the college you are taking the course at after high school, or the college you plan on attending accepts credits from the college you are dual enrolled in, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Weber High has many options for both AP and dual enrollment classes, including courses that cannot be found anywhere else in the district, AP Environmental Science and AP Art History for example. If you are interested in taking an AP or Dual enrollment course, talk to your counselor and they will be able to help you with what you need.
