What Are Examples of College Prep Courses?
College prep courses help high school students or graduates get ready for the increased academic workload of college. This article explains college prep courses and provides some examples of classes.
College Prep Courses
Many high schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes that prepare students for the rigors of college coursework. Additionally, community colleges and third-party groups often present classes to students preparing for college. It's important to note that there isn't necessarily a standard formula for college prep courses, since admissions standards and coursework vary by institution.
Important Facts about This Type of Education
| AP Courses | Latin, geography, history, computer science, psychology, physics, music theory, chemistry, among others |
| IB Concentrations | Language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, arts |
| Programs | Diploma programs available |
| Online Availability | Some outside classes may be offered in this format |
Courses for High School Students
Collegeboard.com states that classes in the AP program available at most high schools are designed to get students ready for college. The IB Diploma Programme, which is offered at over 800 schools in the U.S., provides students with the opportunity to develop critical thinking and language skills needed for college and for success in a global society, reports the organization's website (www.ibo.org). Students who take AP or IB classes can skip some college courses by scoring highly on content tests.
Courses Outside of High School
Some community colleges, such as Nicolet College (www.nicoletcollege.edu) in Wisconsin and Northwest Florida State College (www.nwfsc.edu) offer college prep classes to high school graduates. These courses help students improve their analytical and comprehension skills and communication so that they can handle college coursework. Some independent companies provide seminars to students looking to improve their academic abilities before college. Many schools don't give students the option of placing out of courses if they complete college prep classes offered outside of high school. Additionally, these courses aren't typically worth college credit.