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Getting a C in an AP does not look better than an A in a regular class. Here's why:
The AP class is supposed to represent lower-level college level work. If you get a C in that class then you've proven that your ability to do the easiest college level work is at a C level - there's no question.
If you get an A in a regular class then you've proven that you can do well in HS level work. You've not proven anything about your ability to do college work so it could also be A level or it could be C level. Since it's not proven, it's assumed to be A level. In this way you've demonstrated that you do A level work but not done damage to your college level reputation.
Competitive colleges don't intentionally select students that do C level freshman classwork.
The same caution exists then for college courses while you're in HS. If you take freshman English and get a C then you've shown the college that you're a C student at the college level. If you take regular HS senior English and get an A then they don't know whether you're an A student or C student at college level. But, if you get a C in HS English they can feel pretty confident that you won't pass college level freshman English (which requires a C to pass).
What is "best" is to have a very high GPA no matter which courses you take. Ultimately, best would be a very high GPA with a full load of AP classes but that doesn't happen too often. A 4.0 unweighted GPA of "just" regular classes is higher than a 3.5 unweighted GPA with AP classes in it. Most colleges recalculate those weighted GPA's to an unweighted because of problems they've seen with grade inflation at most schools.
Also, most colleges aren't fooled by grade inflation in AP classes. If you get an A in AP English class but score a 2 or 3 on the AP exam then the college will know your class wasn't graded correctly. If you get a C in that class but a 5 on the exam then they'll know that you have mastered the material - the C will still hurt your GPA though.
Taking more college while in HS can also hurt your admission chances for another reason. If you take too many then you're not a freshman applicant anymore. You will then have to apply as a transfer student and that process is entirely different. Some schools don't accept transfers at all. Some require a complete associates degree or 60 hours for transfers. Some don't care in the slightest. You'll need to be careful about future effects of anything you attempt.
The biggest problem HS students that do a dual enrollment face is GPA damage. If you do poorly in that college class and collect a C,D, or F -- that grade is your collegiate GPA. It doesn't go away just because you were in HS and there is no "do over" in collegiate GPA, it will follow you all the way to grad school.
Bottom line - get the very best grades you can earn in whatever classes you take because when it comes to the bottom line "an A is always better than a C" and few people look any further than that letter.
Add: both, but the impact is far greater and longer lasting if it's a college class. An AP class grade is only on your HS transcript, a college class grade is on your college transcript (and GPA).