Course Analysis
AP vs Dual Credit — decision rationale for every course
6 AP planned 11 DC planned 1 Gap · 2 Skip
Course Method When Hrs Admissions value Transfer & notes
AP Chemistry Not offered Critical gap for pre-med admissions Glenn HS does not offer AP Chemistry.
Use ACC CHEM 1305 instead — see below.
ACC CHEM 1305+1105
Gen Chemistry I + Lab
Enrolled ✓ Summer 2026 ✓ 4 hrs Shows college-level chemistry rigor on transcript — stronger than AP Chemistry gap Enrolled at ACC. Mon/Wed 3–7 pm, June 1–Aug 9, 2026. $0 cost confirmed (LISD–ACC partnership). Transfers to all TX public universities as CH 301 equivalent.
ACC CHEM 1306+1106
Gen Chemistry II + Lab
DC · Free 12th Fall 4 hrs Completes full 2-semester Gen Chem sequence — critical for pre-med applications Strong for A&M A2M Early Assurance prerequisites. Accepted by Texas A&M College of Medicine pathway.
AP Calculus AB AP 11th grade 3 hrs High — math rigor signal for all three target universities Score 4+ → Calculus I credit at UT Austin and A&M. Rice requires 4–5. Exceeds Texas Core math requirement. Admissions signal is worth taking this as AP, not DC.
AP Physics 1 AP 11th grade 3 hrs Moderate — algebra-based Physics, expected for pre-med Score 4+ → credit at A&M. Med schools prefer calculus-based Physics — plan to take PHY 301K at UT Austin. AP Physics 1 is a foundation, not a full substitute.
AP English Language AP 11th grade 3 hrs High — standard 11th grade AP, essential for college essay fluency Score 3+ → ENGL 1301 (3 hrs) at most TX universities. Also satisfies English III HS graduation requirement. Take as AP, not DC — admissions signal matters here.
AP English Literature AP 12th grade 3 hrs High — completes English AP pair, shows intellectual rigor Score 3+ → ENGL 1302 + Humanities Core (3 hrs). Satisfies English IV graduation requirement. Verify Humanities Core mapping with UT/A&M registrars.
AP Biology AP 12th grade 4 hrs Critical — essential pre-med admissions signal, expected at all targets UT Austin: do NOT claim AP credit for pre-med Bio. Plan to retake BIO 311C/D at UT Austin. A&M may accept with pre-med advisor approval. Take AP for the signal, not the credit.
AP Statistics AP 12th grade 3 hrs High — MCAT tests statistics; research literacy expected for med school Score 4+ → Stats credit (3 hrs). Claimable at all targets including UT Austin pre-med. Essential for medical research competency. Pediatrics and Anesthesiology both require research fluency.
HIST 1301 + 1302
US History I & II
Enrolled ✓ 11th Fall + 12th Fall 6 hrs Lower admissions signal — AP US History is stronger but 11th is already heavy with 3 APs Enrolled at ACC via LISD–ACC dual credit. $0 cost confirmed. Per counselor scheduling: HIST 1302 offered Fall 2026 (11th), HIST 1301 offered Fall 2027 (12th). ACC has no prerequisite between them — reversed sequence is fine. Guaranteed 6 hrs, transfers to all TX public universities.
PSYC 2301
Psychology
Deferred College yr 1 3 hrs Low admissions signal — MCAT Behavioral Sciences still needs coverage Dropped from HS plan — CHEM 1305+1105 chosen for Summer 2026 instead. Take PSYC 2301 freshman year of college. Still recommended for MCAT prep but not urgent in HS timeline.
GOVT 2305 + 2306
US Government I & II
DC · Free 11th Spr + 12th Spr 6 hrs Low admissions signal — but taking DC (not AP Gov) frees energy for AP Bio + AP Stats in senior year 6 hrs guaranteed. Per counselor: GOVT 2305 Spring 2027 (11th spring), GOVT 2306 Spring 2028 (12th spring). GPA protection during college application season. AP Government has low additional admissions ROI when AP Bio, AP Stats, AP English Lit are already present.
DC ENGL 1301
Composition I
DC · Free 11th Fall 3 hrs Belt-and-suspenders — guarantees Communication Core (3 hrs) regardless of AP English Language score ACC via LISD–ACC. Fall 2026. $0 cost. Counselor confirmed Fall 2026. AP English Lang is still being taken for admissions signal — DC ENGL 1301 is the guaranteed credit path either way.
DC ENGL 1302
Composition II
DC · Free 11th Spring 3 hrs Belt-and-suspenders — guarantees second Communication Core (3 hrs) regardless of AP English Lit score ACC via LISD–ACC. Spring 2027. $0 cost. Counselor confirmed Spring 2027. Paired with DC ENGL 1301 to lock in full 6-hr Communication Core independent of AP exam outcomes.
DC ECON 2301
Economics
DC · Free Summer 2027 3 hrs Social/Behavioral Sciences Texas Core (3 hrs) — closes the remaining Core gap without adding AP ACC via LISD–ACC. Summer 2027. $0 cost. Summer placement keeps it off the heavy 11th/12th load. Directly relevant to MCAT Behavioral Sciences prep. Replaces the deferred PSYC 2301 plan.
DC DRAM 1310
Theatre Appreciation
DC · Free Summer 2027 3 hrs Creative Arts Texas Core requirement (3 hrs) — this is college Core, distinct from HS Fine Arts graduation requirement ACC via LISD–ACC. Summer 2027. $0 cost. Important distinction: Treble Choir I satisfies HS graduation Fine Arts only. DRAM 1310 satisfies the Texas Core Curriculum Creative Arts college requirement. Both are needed for their respective purposes.
DC ENGL 2322
British Literature I
DC · Free 12th Fall 3 hrs Component Area Option Texas Core (3 hrs) — fills the Core slot not covered by AP courses ACC via LISD–ACC. Fall 2027. $0 cost. Counselor confirmed Fall 2027 is the available semester. 12th Fall is ⚠️ heavy (3 APs + 3 DC total) — accepted per counselor confirmation of availability.
AP US History Skip Medium signal — superseded by DC HIST 1301/1302 in 11th Not recommended alongside AP Calc + AP Physics + AP English in 11th grade. DC HIST 1301/1302 achieves the same 6 credit hours with lower risk to GPA and lower stress.
AP Government Skip Low marginal value in 12th when AP Bio + AP Stats + AP English Lit are present DC GOVT 2305/2306 achieves the same 6 credit hours, free, with less stress during college application season. AP Gov offers no material admissions advantage over DC in 12th grade context.
Key principle: AP is superior to DC when the admissions signal matters and you can score 4–5 (math, science). DC is superior to AP when the admissions signal is low, the credit is guaranteed regardless of exam score, and GPA protection matters more (History, Government, Psychology). This plan optimizes both levers simultaneously.