Concurrent Enrollment for High School Students

If you have a high school student, you may want to look into the benefits of dual (or concurrent) enrollment at your local community colleges.   Typically this applies to students in their junior and senior year of high school.   Rules and regulations may vary by state, and possibly by school; however, here are a few things to think about.

Community colleges often have guaranteed enrollment programs with 4 year colleges. What this means is that if your student graduates a 2 year program, they are guaranteed transfer to select 4 year colleges.   In theory, your student could graduate high school and college with an associates degree and transfer into a 4 year college as a junior, at age 18.

Pros:
The biggest pro, of course would be getting a head start on college, while still being in the comfort zone of home.

Your student can begin to expand his horizons and grow academically and socially, with the safety net of still being at home.

Students can use their college classes for high school credit.   One class, twice the return, that’s a good investment!

Academic advisors can help students to get the classes that are needed to get them into their 4 year school of choice.

Cons:
Students must be high school graduates in order to apply for financial aid. You would be footing the bill for these two years of concurrent enrollment.

Students cannot take “developmental math” while concurrently enrolled.   A student should be proficient in Algebra II before taking the college placement exam, and equally their language arts/composition needs to be pretty firm.   A student placing lower than Algebra II would need to develop their math skills through their homeschooling, not by taking Algebra II during dual enrollment.

Community colleges also offer several types of degrees/programs.   Associate of Arts & Science as well as Associate of Science Degrees are typically transfer oriented programs.   Associate of Applied Science Degrees are typically “go to work” degrees.   There are also career study certificates, diplomas, and continued education certificates.

Like with any other thing, dual enrollment is not a one size fits all scenario. Make sure your student is emotionally and socially mature enough to handle college at an early age.   If your student isn’t ready for college at 16, don’t sweat it, don’t push it and don’t treat it as a failure.   College will be there if and when your child is ready.