When I was in high school, AP wasn't an option. I took a couple of CLEP tests in college, but I didn't know about them until I'd already taken most of the classes they cover. So really, what's the difference? For those with kids at the high school level, are your kids doing dual-credit classes? CLEP? ... is AP even an option for homeschool, or is that totally a PS thing? I'm clueless!
dual enrollment - college class for high school credit. I'm not sure if you can also get college credit for the same course, generally you have to choose. AP - college level class taught at the high school. If you take the AP test and get a high enough score many colleges will give you college credit for it. Very selective schools may not give credit but at least use it for placement. Homeschoolers can take the AP exam. You may not put AP in the course title on the transcript unless you go through the AP audit process with the college board. I've known homeschoolers who have done this - somewhat tedious but doable. Most just self-study and take the AP test and put the test score on the transcript. The AP tests are always in May and you have to find a school that will let you test with them - usually not a problem. CLEP - easy to take anytime at a college test center, all multiple choice on a computer. Some schools won't accept CLEP for credit but many will.
CLEP is on computer now?! Mine were a few m.c. questions (bubble sheet with pencil) but mostly hand written essays!
You can read the differences at http://www.collegeboard.com/. You can take the AP test without having to take an actual AP course. You can take AP classes as a homeschooler if you get your syllabus approved by the College Board or take it thru an approved AP distance course (like thru Keystone Natl HS, etc). Personally, I'd rather my kids take comm. college classes if they can instead of AP because whether they get college credit comes down to one exam rather than all their work for the semester. I know I was a basketcase before my AP Calculus test....I did ok, but it could have gone either way.
As previous posters have said, CC dual credit courses get you college credit, whereas if you don't do well enough on an AP exam, you won't. However, it looks better to have a 4 or 5 on an AP exam than to have an A from a community college (this opinion is based both on extensive reading and speaking to a guidance counselor). AP exams are hard - so if students to well in those, it does say something. My daughter applied to the honors course at the college she has gone to - and they expected the applicants to have successfully taken AP exams. So, I would say, only take APs if there is a possibility your child will need to show a college they can work at a higher level. Most Community College courses aren't that hard. Many colleges don't accept CLEP tests, so check that out before you get your kids to do those. On the other hand - my dd who mainly applied to hard to get into colleges, eventually chose a Christian school that did accept CLEPs and we forgot all about that. I am sure she could have CLEPed out of math, but she only realized that after she had taken a math class! Meryl
Great points Meryl. I will probably encourage my kids to take an AP class or two as well....and potentially only take those community colleges that are pre-approved to transfer to VA Tech or UVA... Of course, my oldest is 11 so I have a year or two before I enlighten the children....lol.
I try to keep the pressure off with the APs. My son did AP economics last year and I told him it would be great if her got a 3 or above, and if he didn't, we'd just get it deleted from the AP records (you can do that). I don't want them to stress over APs, but they are good to have. My oldest managed to get five 5s and two 3s - so she set this high standard for her 3 poor sibilings who follow behind her. I think she got 17 credit hours for her APs - which was nice.
Most elite colleges accept APs, but not community college or clep credit, so it depends on where they want to go. We have loved the AP program. I have gone through the course audit and had 11 courses approved, so it isn't that hard - they have lots of helps online to help you create a syllabus. Our favorite thing about the program is that we can do it like any other homeschool class and aren't tied to the community college's schedule. His AP credit gave my son almost a year of credit at one of the top colleges. My next son, who doesn't test as well, will be taking comm coll classes this year. It all depends on the student and where they are headed. Hope that helps, Melanie Young
Duel enrollment is a great way to go. Not only can you count these courses for your student's high school curriculum, but depending upon the college or university applying for, they should transfer as college level courses. An exception to this would be a top tier or Ivy League school who doesn't accept transfer credits. Even so, they look great on a transcript, as it shows grades from somewhere other than home.
