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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]FCPS offers two categories of Dual Enrollment courses. The first category consists of courses that are below AP level rigor, serving as motivation and allowing early course completion for NOVA Community College degree. However, these courses lack value for first year/first time applicants to competitive four-year university colleges. For instance, Precalculus with Trigonometry DE (3160DE) is below the rigor of AP Calculus BC, making it of less value compared to taking it as an honors course in high school and following up with subsequent AP course with 4 or 5 exam score.

On the other hand, the second category of DE courses offered by FCPS include post-AP courses. These courses, such as Multivariable Calculus DE (3178DE), are notable additions to a competitive college application. Multivariable Calculus DE is a GMU course, and taking it requires completing AP Calc BC as a prerequisite. Opting for these post-AP DE courses demonstrates to competitive four year colleges that the student has surpassed the AP level rigor, demonstrating a higher academic achievement.[/quote

Great theory except for the minor detail that FCPS weighs AP and DE exactly the same in the GPA. 1 point bonus for both.

Precalc/Trig has less rigor than Calc whether you learn it Honors, AP, DE, or from a hobo on the bus. It’s different content and a precursor course!

Same issue with a post AP course. Those are the “201” classes to the AP’s “101” classes. Obviously harder classes with advanced content are more appealing to selective schools.

The question is actually:

Is there a difference (other than the AP Test which is an additional data point to selective colleges) in taking AP English versus a DE English Lit course?

FCPS weighting says no.

[/quote]

Colleges have no way of knowing whether a local community college course is more rigorous than AP or not.  But they certainly know what AP courses are challenging and what a high score of 5 demonstrates.  Hence they use the common yard scale of AP scores to compare applicants.  [/quote]

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