If you’re looking for ways to prepare for college academically, you’ve probably considered dual enrollment. But how do you know if putting in the extra work to complete college dual enrollment credits in high school will benefit you? You may be wondering, is dual enrollment worth it?
What is dual enrollment?
First of all, let’s tackle the question, what is dual enrollment? Dual enrollment allows high school juniors and seniors to earn high school and college credits simultaneously by taking college-level courses through partnering colleges or universities. The courses can vary in subject matter and difficulty level, ranging from general education requirements to specialized topics. Depending on the program structure at your local high school, you may attend classes at your high school or on campus of the partnering college. Upon successful completion of the course, you earn both high school and college credit. The grade earned in the course will appear on both your high school and college transcript. You may earn any number of credits, from two or three classes to enough for an associate’s degree.
What should I know about dual enrollment?
Talk with your high school guidance counselor to find assistance with selecting courses based on your academic strengths, career aspirations, college credit requirements, and affordability. Here are a few questions to consider:
- What courses are offered through your school? – You may consider general education courses such as English, math, science, and social sciences. They are often transferable to many colleges and universities.
- What interests do you have / what careers do you want to explore? – If you have a particular major or field of study in mind, you can look for courses that are relevant to that major. You can also explore elective options that interest you.
- How will the credits transfer? – You will want to understand the credit transfer policies of the colleges where you plan to transfer your credits. This information can be found on the college’s website or by contacting the registrar’s office.
- Are the programs affordable? – Another important aspect is reviewing your budget and deciding what you can afford. If your family has a 529 plan, the money accumulated in the 529 college savings plan can be used to pay for dual enrollment courses.
Is dual enrollment worth it?
With all these factors taken into consideration, dual enrollment can have a number of benefits.
- It allows you to take more advanced coursework, which can challenge you academically and better prepare you for the rigor of college-level work. This can ease the transition from high school to college and increase your confidence in your academic abilities.
- It enables you to explore different academic subjects and career paths before committing to a specific major.
- It gives you opportunities to accelerate your degree completion. With general classes completed, the extra time can allow you to add another major or minor or take extra classes for personal interest.
- As most dual credit courses are at a reduced cost or at no cost to the student, college dual enrollment can significantly reduce the cost of higher education.
- It strengthens your college applications and improves your chances of admission into competitive colleges and universities.
- You can benefit from the resources and facilities available at colleges and universities such as libraries, laboratories, and academic support services.
Current Grace College students Rachel Macy and Kaitlyn Cupp can attest to the benefits of dual enrollment.
Macy brought 28 credits into college which has helped her greatly as a health science major on the pre-med track. She took every college credit class her high school offered, some being taught at her school and others through a local community college.
“The most beneficial part of taking college classes in high school was improving my work ethic,” said Macy. “The classes prepared me for college as I already knew how to manage my time and study effectively.”
Macy advises high school students to take advantage of the college dual enrollment classes offered by their high school.
“Dual enrollment will save you money, help you discover your passion, and prepare you for the rigor of college,” said Macy.
Cupp, a first-year elementary education major, also took all the college credit classes that her high school offered including English, world history, and chemistry. This saved her money and time as she completed many of her general education requirements, putting her on track to graduate in three years through the accelerated program at Grace.
“Take as many college classes as you can in high school,” said Cupp. “It’s a valuable experience to help you get accustomed to college.”
Tips for Success
Finally, dual enrollment can be challenging, so here are a few tips to help you succeed:
- Talk with your guidance counselor. They can provide you with available programs and help you understand what will be the best fit for you.
- Be aware that the rigor of the courses is more demanding than high school classes.
- Maintain academic excellence. These courses usually require a certain grade to be accepted as college credit.
- Take advantage of resources to help you succeed.
- Explore different interests and have fun!
Is dual enrollment worth it? Well, ultimately, that’s for you to decide, but it can help you on a path to success in college!
Looking for a college that offers dual enrollment? Learn more about Grace College’s dual credit courses online and in person. Interested in earning an associate’s degree in high school? Check out Grace’s Associate’s Degree in High School program.
