A set of ten students from an urban high school were interviewed regarding experiences in Advanced Placement (AP) and non-Advanced Placement courses in high school. Those participants who took an AP Calculus course described opportunities during high school where cultural capital and social capital lead to a successful experience in college. Those who did not take an AP Calculus course described a different experience. For some in this group collegiate sports or family provided a source of social and cultural capital. All participants reported that successful college experiences were the result of personal growth.