AP vs. Dual Enrollment: Which Should I Take?

By: Aysatu Diallo – AOIT Intern 2021-2022

Date: October 1, 2021

Are you unsure whether you should take either AP or dual enrollment courses (or both)? In this blog, I will describe the difference between AP and dual enrollment and the pros and cons of both.

DEFINITION OF AP AND DUAL ENROLLMENT

WHAT IS DUAL ENROLLMENT?

Dual enrollment is where you can take college classes and possibly earn college credit while still completing courses in high school.

Our North Carolina’s dual enrollment program is called Career and College Promise. The community college where you can these college courses is at Wake Tech.

WHAT IS AP?

AP, also known as Advanced Placement, are college-level courses created by College Board that is at the high school. You can earn college credit.

Our high school provides many AP courses.

In general, both AP and dual enrollment allows you to start your college education early, save money, and improve your college application resume! However, there are some differences.

DUAL ENROLLMENT

PROS:

To earn college credit, you need to pass with a ‘C’ or higher.
Some College Transfer courses (with 3+ credit hours) are calculated at a 5-point scale. If you earn an ‘A,’ you get 5 points, which can boost your GPA.

CONS:

Although taking dual enrollment courses is free, you may have to pay for textbooks and other materials required in your course.
CTE courses in the CTE pathway are not transferable towards a college/university.
Not all colleges/universities accept dual enrollment credit. College Transfer courses are intended to transfer to a four-year public college/university in the UNC system.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Taught by college professors at a campus.
Can only take during your junior and/or senior year (including the summer of those years).

AP COURSES

PROS:

AP courses are calculated at a 5-point scale. So, if you earn an ‘A,’ you will get 5 points, which can boost your GPA.
Many colleges (both in- and out-state) accept AP credit.
No charges for taking an AP courses.

CONS:

To earn college credit for a AP course, you must take the AP exam and pass with either a 3, 4, 5. Some colleges accept scores from 3 to 5, while others only accept 4 or 5. I would check the AP acceptance score with the colleges you are interested in.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Taught by high school teachers.
Can take starting your sophomore year.

I hope this guide is helpful towards your decision about taking either AP and/or dual enrollment courses. In addition, check out the links below for more information about each!

What are the Benefits of Dual Enrollment vs AP Classes? – Cappex
Information about the Career and College Promise Program – Apex HS Career Services and Wake Tech
FRQs about AP Classes at Apex High – Apex HS Student Services

Works Cited

“What Are the Benefits of Dual Enrollment vs AP Classes?” Cappex, https://www.cappex.com/articles/applications/dual-enrollment-vs-ap-classes.

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DEFINITION OF AP AND DUAL ENROLLMENT

DUAL ENROLLMENT

AP COURSES

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