Jadyn Murvine

During their junior and senior years, many high school students begin seeking courses that can help them knock out General Education credits and offer a boost to their GPAs. The two avenues are Advanced Placement or dual credit, which both offer ways to show academic rigor on a transcript and earn college credit early. But a question arises: Which option is better? While both AP and dual credit are similar in many ways, they possess many key differences with unique advantages and disadvantages.

AP courses are a standardized program run by the College Board. North offers over 20 different AP courses across most subjects. The only way to earn college credit for the class is by earning a three, four or a five on the May AP exam. Dual credit classes are offered through local community colleges, so for North students it is through Elgin Community College. There are a few different routes for students interested in receiving dual credit; full-time, part-time, in-high school and summer courses offer varying experiences for students interested in tackling their Gen Eds.  

The first thing students and their parents may consider when deciding between the two is cost. Most AP exams cost $99 to take, aside from AP Seminar and AP Research. The prices of dual credit courses are more costly but vary on the type of credit. AP classes are generally more affordable upfront. 

The ways in which students earn credit varies drastically between the two options. The most troubling thing about AP courses is that earning credit is unreliable. A singular day determines a student’s fate in receiving credit for a course they participated in for one to two semesters. Aside from just passing the exam, universities also have their own preferences about what score actually merits course credit. Some allow a passing score of three, others require fours or fives. This puts high pressure on students credit in AP courses to perform well. Conversely, students are awarded with credit in their dual credit courses so long as they pass the class. Instead of putting the stakes on one exam, all of the effort made by students in multiple different assignments and assessments contribute to whether or not they receive credit. 

In terms of flexibility, dual credit is the best choice. Because there are so many different ways to take dual credit courses, students can opt for the path that suits them best. Oftentimes AP’s “one size fits all” structuring can leave many students behind. 

One advantage of APs as opposed to dual credit is the depth of the courses, the accessibility and the community. Because AP exams require extensive knowledge and recall, the classes are generally more in-depth and rigorous, which can be a positive for students who are interested in the course material. It is also much easier to find online support for AP courses because they are a standardized program, which can be really pivotal in helping students succeed in their classes and exams. Many students also appreciate the sort of community that is created in an AP classroom environment. In classrooms, teachers and fellow students bond over the shared stress of a looming AP test, and on a broader scale, students all over the U.S. and in many other countries endure the same curriculum and contribute to a larger community of people. It may be much harder to find an established community on a local and national level in dual credit courses. 

The key thing to consider when making this decision is deciding which is more important: knocking out Gen Eds or earning a GPA boost and displaying academic rigor on a transcript. If the primary concern is reducing costs of college courses after graduation by earning those credits, dual credit courses are the way to go. Despite their higher cost, the classes are more low stakes compared to AP, and the chance of earning that credit is much higher. If a student is more preoccupied with increasing their weighted GPA and standing out to colleges, AP courses are more advantageous*. Because of the standardized nature of AP courses, students are likely to be met with a large support system from their teacher and classmates, and can find plenty of online resources to help them succeed in their course. 

The most important thing when deciding between these two routes is understanding personal goals, strengths and limitations. The great thing about both AP and dual credit courses is the fact that they play to different objectives and learning styles. Because there is not a universally correct answer for students when it comes to the two, the key is that students consider what they need and what is most ideal for them.

*Both AP and Dual Credit are weighted and boost GPAs