4 answers
Mahmoud
Student
Rochester, Minnesota
2
Questions
Asked
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College classes vs. AP classes?
Ever since I started high school, I always thought taking actual college classes made more sense. However, I’ve begun to wonder if specific selective colleges will look at them differently regarding college applications. I have taken 20 credits at my state university (UMN) and more at my local CC. My school offers multiple AP classes, but I choose college classes because they allow me diverse options of courses each semester. I will graduate from high school with 80+ college credits. Is it possible that I may be at a disadvantage regarding this choice? Will the college review my application and say they want students with AP classes?
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4 answers
Tom Wang
Strategy Consulting
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Tom’s Answer
Hi Mahmoud!
Great job being focused and diligent in your studies!
AP courses do help bolster a college application and shows schools that you're a high-potential student. On the other hand, college course credits could be transferred and help offset credits requirements (and potentially the tuition cost for those credits) after you are enrolled. Also, typically only AP courses (and exams) with a score of 4 or 5 are viewed positively. It's possible that taking college courses was a better fit for you and you did better on them. With either approach you're demonstrating that you're a curious and motivated student and someone who'll contribute to the classroom and communities where you'll attend undergraduate studies.
Actionable Suggestions:
- Take stock of the types of college courses you've taken, the subjects they're in and the grades you've received. Evaluate how they're helping to paint a picture of your interests and talent and intellectual capabilities. Especially if you've excelled in certain courses or topics, those could be stories you add to your personal statement for your college application. It's important to be admitted to your dream schools and it's important to do well once you've matriculated. The college courses you took can help you better discover best study methods and habits for you and ultimately do better.
- Consider which of the professors of your college credit classes could provide good letters of recommendation, in particular professors who you've taken multiple courses with and who have a good perspective on your abilities. They can vouch for your ability to learn and think at the collegiate level.
- Check if colleges you're apply to have supplemental essays. Those can be an opportunity for you to share how you have a love of learning, evidenced by the 80+ college credits you've obtained, and what you've learned about yourself through the experience.
Great job being focused and diligent in your studies!
AP courses do help bolster a college application and shows schools that you're a high-potential student. On the other hand, college course credits could be transferred and help offset credits requirements (and potentially the tuition cost for those credits) after you are enrolled. Also, typically only AP courses (and exams) with a score of 4 or 5 are viewed positively. It's possible that taking college courses was a better fit for you and you did better on them. With either approach you're demonstrating that you're a curious and motivated student and someone who'll contribute to the classroom and communities where you'll attend undergraduate studies.
Actionable Suggestions:
- Take stock of the types of college courses you've taken, the subjects they're in and the grades you've received. Evaluate how they're helping to paint a picture of your interests and talent and intellectual capabilities. Especially if you've excelled in certain courses or topics, those could be stories you add to your personal statement for your college application. It's important to be admitted to your dream schools and it's important to do well once you've matriculated. The college courses you took can help you better discover best study methods and habits for you and ultimately do better.
- Consider which of the professors of your college credit classes could provide good letters of recommendation, in particular professors who you've taken multiple courses with and who have a good perspective on your abilities. They can vouch for your ability to learn and think at the collegiate level.
- Check if colleges you're apply to have supplemental essays. Those can be an opportunity for you to share how you have a love of learning, evidenced by the 80+ college credits you've obtained, and what you've learned about yourself through the experience.
Mary Teraji
12
Answers
Castroville, CA
Updated
Mary’s Answer
I don't think you're ever at a disadvantage when you study something. You've taken a lot of classes and gotten a lot of experience. That can never be taken from you, and it will always be worth it to do it.
What you might want to consider is this: when it comes to transfering to a University, they want specific prerequisites. It's not enough that you have a ton of credits from college. This was one of my mistakes. When I started going to Community College, the first two years I was just playing around and taking everything that sounded fun. Then I looked at what I needed to graduate with an AA, and took the rest of those classes. It took me four years to get a two year degree. Then, when I tried to transfer to a University, I found out that having an AA wasn't enough. I needed to go BACK to Community College to do one more semester of classes I needed.
Again, no matter what you learn, it isn't time wasted. If you have the opportunity to study anything and everything, go for it! You can sort out the details as you go. But if your goal is to go to University, it may be wise to look and see what classes you're required to take before to you go.
Also, in the long run the ultimate goal is to enter the work force. Some industries require a lot of schooling (teaching! The more you've studied, the more you can teach!) But some industries are more interested in how much hands on experience you have, not how much time you've spent in a class room.
Go to your high school, CC, and the University (anywhere you've taken classes for credits,) and ask for official transcripts.
Make an appointment with the University's Administration Office, and bring all of your transcripts. They should be able to tell you what you need.
Talk to your teachers, especially the ones who are teaching in the field you're interested in at the University level. Ask them about their experience in the industry you're interested in. Ask them about opportunities to intern or gain some hands on job experience.
Don't burn out! I know College and studying and building a career looks like a mountain that you have to hurry up and climb, but you can't do it all in one day. Take your time. Don't miss out on chances to make connections and develop relationships by being so focused on getting school done. Take regular breaks. Enjoy life. You have time.
What you might want to consider is this: when it comes to transfering to a University, they want specific prerequisites. It's not enough that you have a ton of credits from college. This was one of my mistakes. When I started going to Community College, the first two years I was just playing around and taking everything that sounded fun. Then I looked at what I needed to graduate with an AA, and took the rest of those classes. It took me four years to get a two year degree. Then, when I tried to transfer to a University, I found out that having an AA wasn't enough. I needed to go BACK to Community College to do one more semester of classes I needed.
Again, no matter what you learn, it isn't time wasted. If you have the opportunity to study anything and everything, go for it! You can sort out the details as you go. But if your goal is to go to University, it may be wise to look and see what classes you're required to take before to you go.
Also, in the long run the ultimate goal is to enter the work force. Some industries require a lot of schooling (teaching! The more you've studied, the more you can teach!) But some industries are more interested in how much hands on experience you have, not how much time you've spent in a class room.
Mary recommends the following next steps:
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1920
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Mahmoud !
I have to say that I am very happily stunned by your stellar achievement ! Even though your question is of Policy at various colleges and it can differ from place to place, I wanted to share some thoughts with you. Over eighty college credits while in high school is something to be proud of !
All I have to say about Advanced Placement courses is that millions of people go to college without having taken Advance Placement classes in High School. There's always a way to go to college. I know that my University required several advanced placement courses while I was in college and they were needed in order to graduate and expected to be taken in the University during each semester or a few at once. I would not worry about it.
The advice I have for you is to first obtain your college course transcripts from both the community college as well as UMN. Bring them to either the UMN Admission Office or the Academic Counseling Office and ask where you stand with the courses you've taken so far. Get a clear picture of how far in you are with actually getting a degree. Ask them which community college classes transfer for a Bachelors Degree at UMN. You can even have them work out what you would need to take to get your Bachelors Degree so that you will know beforehand. If you do not plan to obtain your Bachelors Degree at UMN, that's a different story. You would have to go to the college that you want to finish up at and ask the same questions.
Another thing you could do is to find any paperwork that the colleges may have given you that informs the students about how simultaneous study works. Maybe it's on either your high school or the two colleges websites. For the answer to your questions and to know exactly where you stand with your study path, the officials at the college will have to inform you before you go further. Don't leave it up to guessing or wondering.
Keep up the great work and I wish you all the best ! I hope this was helpful !
I have to say that I am very happily stunned by your stellar achievement ! Even though your question is of Policy at various colleges and it can differ from place to place, I wanted to share some thoughts with you. Over eighty college credits while in high school is something to be proud of !
All I have to say about Advanced Placement courses is that millions of people go to college without having taken Advance Placement classes in High School. There's always a way to go to college. I know that my University required several advanced placement courses while I was in college and they were needed in order to graduate and expected to be taken in the University during each semester or a few at once. I would not worry about it.
The advice I have for you is to first obtain your college course transcripts from both the community college as well as UMN. Bring them to either the UMN Admission Office or the Academic Counseling Office and ask where you stand with the courses you've taken so far. Get a clear picture of how far in you are with actually getting a degree. Ask them which community college classes transfer for a Bachelors Degree at UMN. You can even have them work out what you would need to take to get your Bachelors Degree so that you will know beforehand. If you do not plan to obtain your Bachelors Degree at UMN, that's a different story. You would have to go to the college that you want to finish up at and ask the same questions.
Another thing you could do is to find any paperwork that the colleges may have given you that informs the students about how simultaneous study works. Maybe it's on either your high school or the two colleges websites. For the answer to your questions and to know exactly where you stand with your study path, the officials at the college will have to inform you before you go further. Don't leave it up to guessing or wondering.
Keep up the great work and I wish you all the best ! I hope this was helpful !
Thanks for the help.
Michelle Williams, M.Ed.
College Counselor | Learning Designer | USAF Veteran | Educator
9
Answers
Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello,
There can disadvantages to taking too many courses that are not required for the degree you seek. One example would be having the credits you need to graduate and financial aid not covering additional courses because you have already met the requirements - this is called maximum time frame.
As for AP over college. AP is a great way to test out of courses rather than spending 16 weeks. This is the overarching benefit of AP courses.
It sounds like you would benefit from some career counseling or career development resources to hone in on your direction.
Also, if you are familiar with strength finders assessment you may discover that one of your strengths is learner. This discovery may help you better understand the underlying desire to take college courses over AP testing.
Decide your career choice.
Choose the institution you will attend to obtain the requirements to work in that career field.
Speak with that institution regarding the requirements to pursue that career choice.
There can disadvantages to taking too many courses that are not required for the degree you seek. One example would be having the credits you need to graduate and financial aid not covering additional courses because you have already met the requirements - this is called maximum time frame.
As for AP over college. AP is a great way to test out of courses rather than spending 16 weeks. This is the overarching benefit of AP courses.
It sounds like you would benefit from some career counseling or career development resources to hone in on your direction.
Also, if you are familiar with strength finders assessment you may discover that one of your strengths is learner. This discovery may help you better understand the underlying desire to take college courses over AP testing.
Michelle recommends the following next steps: