DE-Clearing the Confusion

When we were considering dual enrollment, we were very hesitant to enroll our first child because of rumors we had heard.  A great deal of misinformation surrounds dual enrollment; in this post I hope to put your mind at ease and clear up the most common misconceptions.

Myth:  Joint enrollment and dual enrollment are synonymous terms.

Dual enrollment means a student is taking a college course for both college credit and high school credit.  A dual enrolled student taking a semester of College Algebra receives 3 college math credits and one high school math credit for the course.  Joint enrollment means a high school student is taking college courses and earning college credit.  The student is working on a college diploma, typically a technical diploma or certification, while earning a high school diploma at the same time.    

Myth:  A student taking a gap year can dual enroll.

If a student plans to take a gap year after high school graduation, that student is no longer eligible for dual enrollment.  By definition, dual enrollment means taking courses for high school credit and college credit simultaneously.  A student who has received a high school diploma or participated in a graduation ceremony has graduated and is no longer considered a high school student.

Myth:  AP courses look better on a transcript than dual enrollment courses.

Advance Placement courses are typically accelerated high school courses taught by high school instructors.  Dual enrollment classes are college level courses taught by college instructors.  AP classes tend to require significant time and expense over the course of a full year.  Dual enrollment courses tend to be less expensive and span only 8-16 weeks.  Both AP and dual enrollment show the student is capable of challenging work and both validate high school coursework.  

Myth:  Courses taken in dual enrollment are not transferable to another college.

If dual enrollment courses are taken at a regionally accredited institution, those credits should be fully transferable to another regionally accredited college.  Be careful, just because the credits transfer that doesn't mean the courses will count toward your student's major.  These are questions to ask the registrar's office before committing to attend the college where the degree will be earned.  

Myth:  Grades earned in dual enrollment will automatically transfer.

Grades and GPA's earned in dual enrollment are used to determine competitiveness for admission when transferring into another college.  The credits earned in the dual enrollment course are likely to transfer, however, the grades and GPA may not.  Always check with the school where the degree will ultimately be earned to confirm the institution's specific transfer rules.  These are usually found in the school catalog under "Transfer Credit Policies."

Myth:  My student must have an SAT or ACT score to dual enroll.

There are ways to enroll your teen in early college without an SAT or ACT test score.  Local technical colleges and some junior colleges will administer the ASSET or COMPASS test in place of an SAT or ACT test score.  There are a few small private colleges that do not require any type of test score prior to dual enrollment.  Check with the college admissions office for the most recent test score requirements and admission policies.

Dual enrollment is a wonderful opportunity for your teen to experience college level work while still under the umbrella of home.  The application process is quite simple and the college counselors  are extremely helpful.    Start exploring and asking questions, you'll be glad you did!

Is My Teen Ready for Dual Enrollment?

Dual enrollment courses provide significant opportunities for high school students.  Many high school students are ready for their first college experience earlier than their parents think.  If you’re on the fence about dual enrollment, here are a few questions to ponder before filling out that first college application:

•  Is my student academically prepared?  Your student should have at least two years of the following core high school subjects completed before considering dual enrollment:  English, Science, Social Science and Math.  College subjects in these core areas assume a minimum of two years experience at the high school level and build off of that high school experience.
• Is my student physically prepared for college?  Many parents overlook physical preparedness when considering early college options.  Teens reach physical adulthood at various ages; some are still relatively undeveloped into their late teen years.  A teen who has not reached physical maturity may feel intimidated in a classroom with students much larger, stronger and physically mature.
•  Is my student well grounded? The successful student is emotionally and spiritually ready for college-level demands and responsibilities. College requires hard work, and professors can be demanding! Students also must be confident in their faith and discerning enough to participate in adult-level discussions. Parents obviously need to carefully evaluate course content and the teacher’s worldview. Good kids are often led astray when they are influenced by the worldview of college role models.
• Is my student determined to be successful? Entering into the college learning environment requires the successful student to overcome many challenges. At times students may doubt they can truly succeed in the college setting.  The average student requires three full college semesters to fully acclimate to the college routine and achieve the confidence necessary for a successful college career.  
• Is my student an independent learner?  Independence is also a critical component of success for the high school student.  College work is solely the student’s responsibility; parents become coaches, encouragers and tutors rather than teachers.  The high school student who can independently complete high school work on a daily basis is a good candidate for early college.   

Before considering dual enrollment, carefully examine whether your teen has demonstrated the wisdom, determination and maturity to be successful in the college environment. Don’t just look at academic preparedness, make sure your student is also emotionally, spiritually and physically prepared as well.  Early college courses do become part of your child's permanent educational record, so prayerfully consider your decision and let your teen be part of the decision making process!  The well prepared student will sail through that first college experience with confidence and excitement and walk away ready to tackle another college semester!