When helping your high schooler prepare for college, you may come across the terms AP (Advanced Placement) and dual enrollment courses. These potential academic pathways offer high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses, potentially earning college credit and demonstrating academic rigor in their college application. But what exactly is the role of AP and dual enrollment courses in the college admissions process? How do these programs enhance your child's college application?
AP vs Dual Enrollment Courses
It's important to understand the difference between AP and dual enrollment courses. By definition, AP courses are college-level classes offered in high school that culminate in a standardized exam administered by the College Board. The College Board is widely known for developing and administering the SAT exam. This exam is one of the potential entrance exam options students will take as part of the admissions process. Students who pass the AP exam with a high enough score (out of five) may receive college credit or advanced placement in that subject area at the college they attend. Dual enrollment courses, on the other hand, are actual college courses taken by high school students on a college campus or online. These courses typically count for both high school and college credit.
Demonstrating Academic Rigor
Both AP and dual enrollment courses can play a significant role in college admissions. Admissions officers look for cues that students have challenged themselves adequately based on their academic abilities. Depending on your child's strengths and struggles, utilizing these coursework opportunities to excel beyond the standard curriculum demonstrates numerous positive attributes and self-awareness. The successful completion of AP or dual enrollment courses are one component of the application that indicates to colleges your child is prepared to take on college-level work.
Building a Standout Application
AP and dual enrollment courses can help your child stand out in competitive college admissions. Though these courses will not, and should not be, the determining factor in admission, taking on a challenging curriculum can help. Colleges value students willing to push themselves and take initiative in their studies. Taking challenging courses demonstrates to admissions officers that your child is serious about their education and is willing to put in the extra effort to succeed. Not all schools offer AP and Dual Enrollment course offerings, however.
In recent years, the discrepancy of who gets access to AP and Dual Enrollment credits based on funding or geographic location has encouraged admissions officers to expand their ideas about what a sufficiently challenging curriculum for the particular school your child attends might look like. So, it's important to note that while AP and dual enrollment courses can benefit college admissions, they are not the determining factor admissions officers consider. Colleges also look at a student's GPA, standardized test scores (though, in recent years, colleges have deemphasized the importance of this, too) extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, and other personal qualities. Though AP and dual enrollment courses can strengthen your child's application (if offered at your school) they do not necessarily make your child a more competitive candidate.
If your child's school doesn't offer AP or Dual Enrollment courses, encourage them to look for additional educational opportunities, either community-based or within their school building. Though creating other opportunities for challenges might look different depending on what school your child attends, it's the pursuit of the challenge where your child can set themselves apart.
Earn College Credit
Another benefit of AP and dual enrollment courses is the opportunity to earn college credit. Passing the AP exam or completing a dual enrollment course helps your child earn college credit before stepping on campus. This not only saves time and money in the long run but also allows your child to explore more advanced coursework or graduate early from college. For example, if your child passes the AP French or Spanish exam, this might allow them to bypass a core language recruitment their freshman year and move on to other studies.
What's Right for One Child Might Not Be Right for Your Child
When choosing whether to enroll your child in AP or dual enrollment courses, it's important to consider their strengths, interests, and academic priorities. Some students may thrive in the structured and test-based environment of AP courses. In these courses, students can work towards a specific exam and potentially earn college credit. Others may prefer the flexibility and independence of dual enrollment courses, which allow your child to experience true college-level coursework and interact with college professors and students.
It's also important to consider your child's schedule and commitments outside of school. AP courses have significant academic demands in terms of time and workload. Students are expected to cover a lot of material in a short amount of time in preparation for the exam. Dual enrollment courses, on the other hand, may require your child to balance high school and college coursework simultaneously. Though this might present a challenge, it also might be rewarding in terms of time management and academic growth.
The decision to enroll in AP or dual enrollment courses should, ultimately, be a collaborative one between you, your child, and their school counselor. Discuss your child's strengths and weaknesses, long-term academic and personal goals, and college preferences. Knowing these things ahead of time can help to determine which option makes the most sense for them.
The role of AP and dual enrollment courses in the college admissions process is significant, but not the sole deciding factor of college admission. AP and dual enrollment courses do demonstrate academic rigor, but, if not available to you, it's not the only way to elevate those characteristics in your application. Work with school personnel to identify the most challenging curriculum available to your child, and decide what makes the most sense from there.
Support and guide your child to make informed decisions about their academic trajectory. Encourage them to take advantage of the opportunities available to them, whether that be through AP courses, dual enrollment, or other advanced coursework options that they create. Ultimately, the goal is to help your child position themselves as a strong candidate for admission to the college that best suits them. Understanding the role of AP and dual enrollment courses in the college admissions process helps your child take the next steps toward a successful and fulfilling college experience.
