AP courses vs. PSEO or dual enrollment college courses
Hello, I’m a rising senior and am interested in taking rigorous, challenging courses next year. I applied and gotten into a PSEO program at a local university. This particular program requires me to go full-time. Would this indicate rigor or am I better off taking AP courses at my high school? Thank you.
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1 answer
If you’ve been accepted into a full-time PSEO program at a local university, that definitely counts as rigor. In most cases, colleges view dual-enrollment/PSEO courses as equal to—or even more rigorous than - AP because they’re actual college classes with real grades on a college transcript.
A few things to keep in mind:
• Rigor: Full-time PSEO is considered strong academic rigor since you’re taking a full load of college-level courses instead of high-school APs.
• Transferability: Many PSEO courses transfer easily, sometimes more reliably than AP scores (which depend on exam results).
• Performance matters: Because these are real college classes, doing well is important. A low grade could impact both HS GPA and future college GPA.
• Fit: If you thrive in an independent, fast-paced environment, PSEO can be a great experience. If you prefer structured classes and support, AP might feel easier to manage.
Overall, if you feel ready for the workload and responsibility, full-time PSEO is generally viewed as very rigorous - not a downgrade from AP. Many admissions offices even say dual enrollment is one of the strongest signals of academic readiness.
Good luck with your decision!
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