TCC vs AP Classes: Pros and Cons for Each

By: Aidan Rodriguez

As high school students, we are all trying to prepare ourselves for college. This is a task that seems very daunting, but with a great school like Owasso, students are given a variety of choices to prepare for college. The courses provided at Owasso include AP classes that are found on campus, or off-campus concurrent classes with TCC, but with this comes the choice of which program is the best fit for them. Though the choice may seem daunting, let’s break down the pros and cons of each. 

Due to the nature of the program, TCC is a good option for students who are looking to obtain their college credits in high school. It allows students to participate in an actual college class and begin developing personal responsibility for their classes. 

Anna Dean, a Professor at TCC

Anna Dean, a Professor at TCC, says, “You’re gonna have smaller classroom settings here, and [when] you get to a bigger university, you could possibly be in a huge lecture of two hundred people. Here, you’re not gonna have that; you’re still gonna get that experience where the teacher knows your name.”

This allows students a good transition between high school and college. The material for the class is up to the professor, but if you ask any TCC student, they will tell you it’s not the difficult task so often described by college students. With the education provided by Owasso, many students excel in TCC classes. When discussing the issues of taking TCC classes, there was, however, one major concern: location. There are several TCC campuses that offer a variety of courses, but not every student has access to these facilities. Owasso provides transportation to some of the campuses, but it can still be an issue for students to get to the more dispersed locations. Another issue is the fees. As a concurrent class, Owasso covers the books and tuition for TCC classes, but students are responsible for paying additional fees within the class. This option may not be the best for students who may be financially struggling, but, luckily, the school provides a second option that is more cost-friendly: AP classes. 

AP classes are held on the high school campus with no worry of transportation and are generously provided to students by the school at no cost. The classes are taught by our own staff and provide another great way to prepare for college.

Mrs. Aycock, AP Language and Composition

“We go deeper into the curriculum than you’re gonna go in Comp I or Comp II, but you have more time to do it. You have more guidance; you have more hand-holding than what you’re gonna get in college. So, in some ways, it’s more difficult as far as critical thinking [goes], but, in other ways, it’s easier,” assures Mrs. Aycock, an AP teacher at the high school. 

At the end of the year, students take an AP test. Depending on how they perform, it is possible to receive several hours of college credits for the class. This test does cost money, but students who need financial help can apply for a scholarship to lessen the price of the test. The test can even cover gen-ed courses, depending on the score and school, of course. Several students are concerned about the pace and difficulty of the class, but as long as you pay attention and do the work, anyone can succeed in the class. 

It can be seen that both TCC and AP classes have their pros and cons, but, in the end, it’s up to the individual to decide which class suits them best.