Online School AP question

Answered

It's great that you're thinking strategically about your course selection for college applications. Admissions committees do consider various factors when evaluating applicants, and the number of AP or dual enrollment courses is just one of many.

Here are a few points to consider:

Course Rigor: Colleges typically want to see that students have challenged themselves academically. Taking a rigorous course load is important, but this doesn't necessarily mean you need to take all AP courses. Dual enrollment courses can also be seen as academically challenging, especially if they are college-level courses.

Course Availability: You mentioned that your online school offers both AP and dual enrollment courses. It's important to choose courses that align with your interests and strengths. If you feel more confident and motivated in dual enrollment courses and have performed well in them, that can be a strong point in your application.

Holistic Review: Colleges usually take a holistic approach to admissions. This means they consider various aspects of your application, such as standardized test scores, GPA, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, essays, and more. Your course selection is just one piece of the puzzle.

Explain Your Choices: If you choose not to take AP courses, you should be prepared to explain your reasons in your application. You can mention that you opted for dual enrollment courses because they align better with your academic goals or because they provide a more interactive learning experience compared to self-paced online AP courses.

Impact of COVID-19: Keep in mind that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education in many ways. Colleges are likely to be understanding of the challenges students have faced and may not hold the absence of AP courses against you, especially if your dual enrollment courses demonstrate academic excellence.

Ultimately, what matters most is that you excel in the courses you take and present a well-rounded application that showcases your strengths, interests, and achievements. If you've performed well in your dual enrollment courses, actively engaged in extracurricular activities, and written compelling essays, you should have a competitive application, even without a heavy load of AP courses. It's always a good idea to reach out to the admissions offices of the colleges you're interested in to get their specific guidance and perspective on your situation.