Dual Enrollment is for everyone but not everyone is for Dual Enrollment.
To explain the above statement a bit further, it is best to begin with just a few scenarios of students who could benefit from the program.
You strive to excel in your honors and Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses, yet you seek how to increase the chances of being accepted to an Ivy League university. You are focused on athletics as your way to get into college. Your eyes are always on the ball when it comes to your sport. Your health has not been the best in the last few years and you are on the verge of having to make up the year of school you missed. You started a business a few years ago and clients are picking up and your revenue is increasing. You are battling time with the need to manage the balance of school. Your family needs you to contribute to the household, so you need to get a job. You are so tired in the morning on your way to school as you put in extra hours the night before. You dream of attending a university but have no idea of how to pay for it. You do not enjoy attending school because other students make fun of you for the silliest things. The environment is toxic and stunts your learning.
If any of these are you, dual enrollment is for you. Around the country, there are students feeling exactly like this and seeking what dual enrollment has to offer.
From enrolling in online classes for a better week schedule to one day only Saturday classes to ensure you have transportation, there are options for everyone. The one benefit that can be achieved by every type of student is saving thousands of dollars and achieving any level of higher education while they are in middle or high school.
Dual enrollment provides the opportunity to replace your current course work with college classes and receive dual credit. Here are five places you can take college classes.
1. In-Person On a College Campus
Within taking a course at a college, there are several versions that could appeal to your needs.
One way is to apply to a community college that offers very flexible classes. There you can take subjects that you only have to attend for one day each week, especially on the weekends. Also, you can night courses that would be after work hours. Community college courses very often are Tuesdays and Thursdays or Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Another option is to take courses in the summer for 11 weeks, while you are out of school.
You can always transfer the credits to gain in your community college or Associate’s degree when you apply to a university. Depending on the 4-year-university, classes can be offered on the day above or five days a week. They can also offer other types of course above.
2. In-person on a College Campus Branch
If you do not live near a main college campus, the institution may have other branches that would be an easier route. Ask the college or look online to see, if not another college in your area may have them. They could offer all types of courses, based on particular majors. Some classes for specific majors may only be offered on a main campus, so consider your options.
3. In-person At a High School
With the implementation of dual enrollment as a part of a student’s life before high school graduation, some schools offer college classes within their walls. These classes will most likely be general core college classes taught by high school teachers.
4. Fast-Track (shorter semester)
Fast track courses are offered all the time at community colleges and 4-year institutions. In addition, they can be online or in-person. These are great for when you want to take 1 more class for the first half of the semester, then the load lessens towards the second half or vice versa. A good option if you want to increase your load to five or six classes per semester to graduate early.
5. Online
Lastly, the most well-known time saver, online courses. This is not to say they are any easier, although they can be at times. You have to possess self-discipline and do well by teaching yourself from a textbook. Since you will not receive any face-to-face interaction, if you need help you can email the professor or students in the class.
Even though five ways dual enrollment can work for you have been listed, intersectionality exists. You can take an online fast track class or a university offered Saturday class.
Comment below if you have experienced another type of college course that has worked for you to be added to the list or what Dual Enrollment course would work best for you.