As a student who’s always been interested in taking difficult classes, I’ve always had to think about if it would be more beneficial to take AP classes or PSEO, especially since I’m in my junior year and will do anything to make the transition from high school to college easier. So, what is the difference between AP and PSEO anyways?

AP (Advanced Placement) are classes typically offered in your high school. At RAHS, we have a variety of AP class options for all grades to take. Advanced Placement classes are created to mimic college level courses—they have a quicker pace, more homework, and most have a test in the spring. This test is the culmination of  all the content learned in the whole year and is scored out of five points. The student must pay a fee to take the exam. The test is difficult, and not everyone is a good test taker.

Ger Vue, a counselor at RAHS, said, “AP exams are high stakes in nature, thus causing significant stress and anxiety for some.”

However, some enjoy the difficulty. A sophomore, Anne Reichelt, appreciated the AP Human Geography class she took her freshman year. She said, “I feel like it pushed me to want to take more difficult classes.” This year, she continues social studies by taking AP World History.

Another option to earn college credit is through PSEO—Post-Secondary Enrollment Options. PSEO offers the chance to take classes at a real college or university, online or in person. You can go full time (you spend your whole day at the school you choose to go to) or part time (you can take one or two classes and still return to RAHS for the rest of your classes).

PSEO courses are real college classes taught by professors and are free to take through RAHS.

Another benefit of PSEO is that there’s no big test in the spring. Vue said, “credits through PSEO are earned immediately after successfully completing the course…students are graded through work and/or summatives done in class.”

PSEO has its drawbacks too, though. Because it’s not through RAHS, some classes won’t line up with your day—they sometimes start earlier in the summer or end earlier in the spring. Some classes might start in the middle of your RAHS classes. In-person classes will also require transportation to and from the college you go to. You also have to apply to where you want to go, and admission is not always guaranteed.

Athena Yang, a junior, vouches for PSEO classes. Her experience has been positive, despite the rigor. She said, “there’s definitely a lot more independence when taking PSEO classes…I personally enjoy my classes because of my professors and how much I actually learn.”

So, there’s benefits to both but what about college credit? How well does it transfer to the college you chose to go to?

AP classes are nationally recognized because they are offered through the College Board. A three on the AP test counts for college credit, but it won’t always transfer to the specific school you’re going to. Some more selective schools might only take a five, others might accept as low as a three. The major you choose to go into can look different for what credits transfer as well—It’s imperative that you check what your major requirements are.

The same goes for PSEO—but transferring credits can get a little more complicated because it’s not through College Board or another Nationwide organization. Most Minnesota colleges and universities will take Minnesota PSEO credits, but it can be trickier with out-of-state colleges. Vue said, “beyond the many colleges in MN, most out of state colleges will have to review course content before they can determine how PSEO classes can transfer.”

In conclusion, any student applying to a college or university with any sort of college class under their belt (whether it’s AP, PSEO, or something else) should be up front with their college admissions so they can get all the credits they deserve.

There is no situation where one type of course is better than another, because they both fully depend on the student.

Sources

“Benefits of Ap.” Benefits of AP – AP Central | College Board, College Board, apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/ap-a-glance/discover-benefits. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.

“Earn College Credit in High School.” Earn College Credit in High School, MN Department of Education , education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/dual/. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.