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There’s no better feeling than sleeping in and having breakfast in bed while your peers are hurrying to get to an entry level Math, English, or History class in the morning- all because you already got your credit for that class in high school! There are two ways to get college credit while in high school, and I recommend doing one, or even both! The benefits of taking AP or Dual Enrollment courses are plentiful. Not only do you get a sense of what college classes will be like prior to attending, but you will not have as many required classes to take once in college, and you will save money on total college costs.
Advanced Placement (AP)
The concept of Advanced Placement, or AP classes are relatively simple: they are classes that are supposed to mimic the rigor and speed of college classes, and they are taught at a more ‘advanced level’. You have the option to take a test at the end of the year on the subject material; your score is what determines your eligibility to receive college credit (most schools will accept between a 3 and a 5). These can exempt you from many entry level classes- I myself skipped my freshman History and English courses because I did AP classes. One piece of advice: make sure if you are doing AP that the classes you take are in subjects you genuinely enjoy or excel at, or that will help you in your intended field of study.
Dual Enrollment
The second option for obtaining college credit while in high school is dual enrollment. Dual enrollment allows for high school students to take classes from a local college or university whose credits count towards their high school graduation, and toward college. In order to earn the college credit, students must pass the class with a C or higher. The best thing to do if interested in pursuing this option is contacting your school counselor, and further inquiring about your dual enrollment options (where you can take these classes, if they will bus you, are there online options, etc.)
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