Best Computer Science Classes for College Credit

I'm a high school junior interested in earning some college credits before I graduate. What are the best computer science classes I can take now that will be accepted for credit at most colleges?

There are several computer science classes you can take at the high school level that could earn you college credit, depending on the policies of the college or university to which you're applying. One popular choice is taking College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) courses, which offer standardized curriculums recognized by many colleges and universities.

1. AP Computer Science Principles: This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of computer science, including computational thinking and problem-solving. It's a good starting point if you don't have much previous experience in computer science, and many colleges accept it for credit.

2. AP Computer Science A: This course goes deeper into the concepts of computer science and programming. It's java-centered, and you'll learn about problem-solving with data structures and algorithms. This course is more technical than AP CS Principles, and is often accepted for credit or used to place into more advanced courses.

Remember that each college will have different policies regarding accepting AP credits. Some will accept a score of 3 or higher for credit, while others may require a 4 or a 5. It could be beneficial to research the AP credit acceptance policies at a few schools you're interested in to get a feel for common requirements.

Lastly, colleges also consider the rigor of your course load when making admissions decisions. Taking AP classes in subjects you're interested in not only helps you gain potential college credit, but it also demonstrates your dedication to learning and the ability to handle a college-level course load.