how to take a college course while in high school

by Prof. Houston Wilkinson 10 min read

Students can also earn college credits in high school by taking Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) classes. These courses cover over 50 subjects in four main groups: mathematics and science, languages, humanities and arts, and interdisciplinary subjects.

Colleges often award college credit to students who earn acceptable scores on standardized subject exams such as Advanced Placement (AP®) and International Baccalaureate (IB). Use Search for Exam Equivalencies to find exams accepted for credit by PA TRAC colleges.

Full Answer

What classes should I take in high school?

While most see this as a bad thing, I see it more as a lesson:

  • Why were you struggling?
  • Were you underperforming and need to improve your skills?
  • You weren’t engaged or lost the ability to stay focused for the entire semester?

What classes in high school do I have to take?

  • Lots of science classes
  • Progressively harder math classes
  • STEM classes
  • Writing classes
  • Other classes that prepare you to think and study in college

What high school courses are required for college?

  • pre-algebra
  • algebra
  • geometry
  • algebra II and/or trigonometry
  • precalculus
  • calculus

How do I take college courses in highschool?

There are four primary ways for high school students to get possible college credits:

  • Take College-level AP (advanced placement) classes & subject exams
  • Take IB (international baccalaureate) classes earning an IB diploma
  • Take a Dual Enrollment class earning both h.s. & college credit
  • Take an exam through CLEP (College Level Examination Program) – 33 exams covering already studied intro-level college course material

Can I do high school and college at the same time?

Dual Enrollment Lets You Earn College Credit While Still In High School. Dual enrollment provides students the unique opportunity to take community college classes while still in high school.

Is dual credit harder than AP?

Is Dual Enrollment Harder Than AP? Unlike AP classes, dual enrollment courses do not have standardization. This means that the same class can be difficult at one community college and easy at another. As a result, some dual enrollment courses may be harder than some AP classes.

How do you go from highschool to college?

10 High School To College Transition TipsSharpen Your Study Skills. In college, you're going to study a lot. ... Develop Time Management Skills. ... Work On Reading Skills. ... Be Ready To Write A Lot. ... Take Care Of Yourself. ... Be Assertive. ... Don't Allow Procrastination. ... Learn To Laugh At Yourself.More items...•

Do colleges prefer AP or honors?

Colleges like them both. Both honors and AP courses are rigorous courses that most high schools weight more heavily on your transcript. AP courses, however, culminate in the AP Exam. Good AP scores show colleges you are ready to succeed at college-level work and can even earn you college credits.

Do colleges prefer AP or IB?

Do Colleges Prefer AP or IB? Colleges typically do not state a preference for AP or IB courses. Both options are rigorous and can help you earn college credit depending on your exam scores.

Is transitioning to college hard?

To make a smooth transition to college from high school, be patient with yourself, branch out to try to new things, and find people who share your interests in order to find your niche. The transition from high school to college is known to be a difficult adjustment for most.

When should you start preparing for college?

Read: A College Application Checklist. ] Though there is often prep work that happens beforehand, students generally begin filling out college applications the summer between their junior and senior year of high school, experts say.

What is it like transitioning to college?

As fun and exciting as college is, it can also be both stressful and overwhelming - especially during your first year. But even once you feel adjusted to all the newness, there will still be continued pressure from academics and extracurriculars that will only get more challenging each semester.

Why is taking college classes important?

Share: Taking college classes in high school can boost your college admission chances —and give you inexpensive college credit. Sound interesting? Taking a college class while you are in high school shows colleges that you are serious, motivated, and willing to challenge yourself. Even better, it offers you an invaluable advance look ...

Can you take AP classes at four years?

Some community college courses are not accepted for credit at four-year colleges. If you are taking AP classes, make sure they don't overlap with any college class you're taking. Most colleges will not award credit for an AP exam and a college class in the same subject.

Can you record your high school classes on your transcript?

Find Out the Impact on Your High School Record. Your high school may record your college courses on your transcript. If it doesn't, don't worry. Just request that an official transcript of your college work be sent to each college you are applying to.

What does CCP mean in college?

CCP Classes. CCP classes stand for college credit plus classes. Basically, the entire reason that these classes were invented was so that you could get college credit and high school credit in the same class. This allows you to get your high school diploma while working on your college degree for free.

Why do college bound students take advanced classes?

College-bound students take advanced classes so they can work up to college classes in high school. There are students that get involved in their community, they study for the ACT or SAT and work to get a high GPA. These are the things that high school students must worry about in order to go to their top colleges.

How many years does it take to graduate from college?

Depending on how many classes you take you could be saving yourself and your family a lot of time and money. It takes many students more than four years to graduate college. Only 36% of college students in the United States graduate in four years.

How many points are there in the AP test?

A major fact with AP classes is that if you do not pass the AP test you will not receive college credit. The AP test is out of five points.

What is an AP class?

AP classes are classes that stand for advanced placement classes. Usually, the students who take these classes have been taking advanced classes since middle school. You must be accepted into the class to take an AP class. Normally, not any person can just sign up for it.

Is AP class good?

AP classes can be a great thing and they are also very challenging. There is a chance that you could put in all that work only to end up not actually receiving any college credit. I only took two AP classes in high school and it was for Calculus 1 and 2.

Is a 5 a perfect score?

A five is a perfect score and then a three and four are both passing scores as well. One and two are both failing scores. This means that even if you took the class for the entire semester, and worked hard if you do not get at least a three you are not getting college credit. You better get a 3 or higher.

What is the purpose of community college?

While the primary purpose of community college is to provide an education to college students, most now also offer classes to people of varying ages and levels of education, from children to senior citizens. Many community colleges allow high school students to take certain classes. Sometimes high school students are only able to enroll in ...

Why is it important to have enough free time before enrolling in community college?

As mentioned above, it's important to make sure you have enough free time in your schedule before you enroll in a community college course. By choosing classes that fill well in your schedule, you will make your community college experience less stressful and more enjoyable.

Why do you take community college classes in summer?

Taking a community college class during the summer gives you more time to concentrate on it because you won't have to balance a full high school course load at the same time. Don't try to take a community college class if you are already busy with your high school classes and activities.

What to do if your high school doesn't offer AP classes?

If your high school doesn't offer certain advanced classes, taking them at a community college can be a great way to strengthen your transcript. If your high school doesn't offer many or even any AP classes, you may be concerned that your school's lack of challenging classes will put you behind other students when applying to and starting college.

What does it mean to take community college classes?

Taking community college classes may mean you have to pay tuition fees and other expenses. ( Tax Credits /Flickr) Read the sections below to learn more about how to make smart decisions when taking community college classes and minimize negative impacts.

Do you have to submit a high school transcript to take a college course?

Sometimes high school students are only able to enroll in introductory classes, and they may also be required to submit their high school transcript or a teacher recommendation as proof that they can handle a college-level course. Some high schools have organized programs with community colleges that allow high school students to take college ...

Do you have to include community college classes on your transcript?

Your community college classes may be included on your high school transcript, labeled in such a way to show they are college-level classes, or, if not, you can include your community college transcript with your applications. Taking community college classes in high school shows that you can take initiative, are hard working, ...

How do online classes work?

The online classes are taken through distance education, which the students receive primarily through video or Web. With these programs and others like it, high school students have the opportunity to earn college credit before graduating high school.

Why is distance learning important?

Being able to engage in distance learning is advantageous for numerous reasons, including the fact that you have greater job flexibility and more freedom with respect to when you take an exam. And while taking online college classes can be beneficial for college students, they can benefit high school students as well.

What is dual enrollment in high school?

Some institutions-such as Liberty University-have a dual enrollment program which enables high school students to maintain enrollment in both a secondary and post-secondary institution. Another institution-Oregon State-offers high school students an opportunity to take over 40 classes in subjects like philosophy, calculus, German, art, ...

Do online classes save money?

In recognizing that taking online college classes will save money in the long run, however, high school students might be able to convince their parents to cover the cost of the courses in recognition of the fact that they’ll have to pay less out of pocket later.

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Advanced Placement Classes

  • Developed by CollegeBoard, a national education nonprofit, advanced placement(AP) classes prepare students for college-level tests in over 30 subjects. Learners who pass AP tests at the end of the year receive college credits that are applicable at institutions in North America. High scho…
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Program

  • The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program uses a similar approach to Cambridge AICE but assesses different content areas and takes around two years to complete. Graduates receive an internationally recognized diploma that demonstrates proficiency and skill in three core elements and a single subject as chosen by each student. Options include math, science, or the arts. Only …
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College Level Examination Program Exams

  • College Level Examination Program(CLEP) exams are a great way for motivated students with strong study skills to obtain college credits in high school. These tests are similar to AP exams, but they do not offer structured classes ahead of assessment. Instead, students prepare on their own, building their own college-level knowledge of key subjects. CollegeBoard administers CLE…
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Dual Enrollment

  • Unlike AP, IB, or Cambridge AICE options, which all offer preparatory instruction intended for high school students, dual enrollment means you enroll in full college classes while still attending high school. Learners complete college-level assignments and receive credit that applies to both their high school diplomas and subsequent college degrees. According to the Community College Re…
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Summer College

  • Students can also gain college credits in high school by participating in summer programs. These programs prepare students for the college experience, allowing them to spend some time meeting new people and exploring their academic interests in a college setting. A typical summer college program offers for-credit courses in areas like computer science, economics, history, and the cla…
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Early Enrollment

  • Sometimes called "early admission," this practice gives particularly advanced students an opportunity to enroll in college well before the usual deadlines. As CollegeBoard points out, this is a great option for students who know what school they want to attend and have already visited campus to make connections there. In some cases, students can enroll up to a year in advance. …
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