I just take APs

2) If you are trying to get a jump start on college to save time then AP classes give you college credit but may not satisfy requisite General Education Classes required when you transfer to a 4 year university. You will get college units, but may still need to take those GE courses.

Community college courses are counted as lower division, or the first lower half of a “4 year” college transfer program if you choose one. If you take a community college course, not only will the units transfer, check the “articulation agreement” between the colleges you want to transfer to see if the course has an equivalent. I’ve found from personal experience that several community college courses in California are designed to transfer to CSU and UC and satisfy requirements so you don’t have to take them again, you don’t have that advantage with an AP course.

Well, I’m not sure as to what grade you can start taking those classes. If you are in a high school, I believe you can start taking classes at a community college.

If there is a community college course that is in your subject, you could take one, that also looks good on your transcript.

I took several APs and no college courses, and I got into a VERY good university.