The question juniors have dealt with since the dawn of time; should they take AP English 12 or Dual Enrollment. Until now, the only way to compare was to ask other students or ask teachers. Which one is easier? How does it work for college credit? Mixed messages are everywhere. Juniors will finally have their questions answered by a student who dared to take both classes at the same time.

Senior Tasha Quinones is here to answer the eternal questions:
Q: Why did you decide to take Dual Enrollment and AP English?

A: “I could decide which class I wanted to enroll in. English is my favorite subject and I really enjoyed taking AP 11. It was nice because everyone in the class was on the same level so to speak, which provided an enjoyable learning environment. However, I heard that dual enrollment was heavy on writing, which I love doing. Both courses are so different, it was like having to pick between apples or oranges. AP 12 allowed me to read and explore interesting philosophical concepts and stay with the same group of people from junior year. Dual Enrollment let me focus on writing and gave me college credit.”

Q: Which class is easier?

A: “Dual Enrollment. There is still a significant workload that consists of reading from the textbook, taking notes, and writing or drafting papers.  AP has a lot of work. The first day of school our homework was to draft three college essays, due next class. In AP a big focus is reading. As soon as we finish the Paideia seminar for a book we would start a new one.”

Q: Which one do you like better?
A: “It’s hard to decide since they’re both so different. I like the ambiance and course material of AP 12 but Dual has a little less pressure which makes it a little more fun.”

Q: As for college credits- how does it work out?

A: “AP can give you college credit as long as you take the exam and get the score your prospective college requires. Each college is different in what scores they accept so you check on collegeboard.org and look at a college’s AP credit page.  Dual Enrollment is split up by semester so in the fall you take English 111 and in the spring, English 112. Each class is worth three credits, however what a college will take those credits as differs. For example, one college might accept TCC’s English 111 as English 101 and another college might take English 111 as an elective credit. Each college matches TCC’s course description with one of their own which changes what you get credit for.”

Q: Is it difficult taking two English classes?

A: “Yes and no. For me, not really because I genuinely enjoy English class and put a lot of effort into my work. Right now I would say it’s a bit challenging because it’s the end of the year and neither of my teachers are holding back with our workload. If anything the amount of work has increased with both classes. I’ve read Hamlet twice.”

Q: Do you recommend taking both?
A: “Depends on you. I had to talk it over with Mrs. Silo and write a formal request to both Dr. Riesbeck and VBCPS’s English Department chair.  I was advised against it, but all parties gave me the green light since there was no rule that I couldn’t take both. Before me, no one had ever want or asked to take both classes. The principal, department chair, and Mrs. Silo all have access to and check my grades regularly, so I have had to make sure to keep my grades up consistently. Right now I have a 97 in AP, Dual, and Journalism for the year.”