Not quite a distance learning question...but this is for a high school friend of my daughter's. Do schools (e.g. Northwestern, Georgetown, NYU, Columbia and Boston U) accept credit earned by high school students via a local community college? How about AP credits? Is there any rule of thumb? Thanks in advance!
>> You'll want your friend to specifically ask each college, there isn't a rule of thumb. This is also a highly individualized question depending on the child's strengths. (which you want to highlight) Dual credit is very common in my community, but it really is up to the college offering the bachelor degree as to how it is applied. AP credit is a different strategy- and if the college offers her a choice, my money is on taking AP classes WITH the exam. Having looked into AP quite a bit (and having taken AP courses myself 20 years ago) is that that kids aiming to get into competitive schools should always take AP classes and exams instead of community college classes or CLEP. A community college class is a community college class. (even if you were only 15 when you took it). The work load of an AP class will most surely be much heavier than a 100 level community college course- especially if it is outside the highschool core (Psychology for example). A non competitive or open enrollment school is an entirely different thing, but I still put my money on a strong AP score beating a community college "A" anyday. If the schools do not typically accept community college credit as part of an articulation agreement or transfer policy (some private schools don't) then forget the community college dual enrollment and go 100% into AP classes and exams. Since you asked about "how" the college takes the credit can vary- and it will even vary depending on the child's major! (maybe they give you biology credit unless you are a biology major, then you only get advanced standing in biology or even just general elective credit) "advanced standing" which simply means the child still must earn 120 credits, they can just start at a higher level..so you don't actually get credit. A Foreign language or math are good examples here. An advanced standing policy might state that scoring a 3 or higher in French allows you to start at French 300 (skipping but not earning credit for French 100 and 200) but still require 2 years of foreign language as a matter of college policy. Last year I emailed 10 college admission dept. (including West Point and Harvard) asking which is a "better" choice if the child has either the option of dual enrollment or AP, and of the 8 that answered, all said both were excellent options- and to take the most challenging options available to the student.
I dont know about the schools you mentioned, but a friend of mine has a brother who got accepted at Duke University, here in NC, with a 2 year degree from a community college. His brother also had loads of AP credit from high school also and a high SAT score. So I think its possible.
When I was taking some summer classes at Quincy College (two-year college) many years ago, there was a Harvard undergrad student in two of my classes (Intro to Philosophy & Abnormal Psychology) who was taking the courses to transfer to Harvard. Obviously, check with the school you have in mind before shelling out any money.
Thanks... thanks for the replies so far. I should have been more clear. The students (my daughter and her friend) are juniors, so they do not yet know what college/university they will be attending and really have a broad field from which to choose. They are taking AP classes. They are also taking HS classes where the school district gives them the opportunity to get credit from the local CC. The question is whether or not to pay the AP fee ($84 per test) and/or the CC fee ($100 per class). The class will not change, nor will their transcripts. They will just end up with college credit (assuming they get a 3, 4 or 5 on the AP test). Of course, with 2 AP classes this year and 5 AP classes next year, that adds up. If they pay the fee and then end up at a school that won't count it, then it is money wasted. If they pay the fee and it is counted, then that may be the cheapest credits that they'll ever earn. Much cheaper than, say, a class at Northwestern or Georgetown. I've told my daughter that I will pay for it. Her friend, however, is skeptical, since it is a crap-shoot whether or not the credit will be accepted. And then some schools - like Stanford - only take AP credit if the student earns a 5/5 score. Scaredrain, that's funny about Duke because we were told explicitly that Duke is one university that won't take AP or CC credit for incoming freshmen and my daughter says Duke is her first choice. Oh, well. It's good practice for college.
This is definitely a school-by-school issue. The University of Southern California has a policy that does not accept college credit while the person was in high school. AP credit is accepted assuming they have the minimum score. They are juniors right now, so they should start making a list of potentials. Go to their website, talks to admissions and see what they have to say.
<<They will just end up with college credit (assuming they get a 3, 4 or 5 on the AP test). Of course, with 2 AP classes this year and 5 AP classes next year, that adds up. >> This depends on the college they attend- with a score of 3 or higher they will PROBABLY earn credit or advanced standing- a score of 4 or better will almost POSITIVELY earn credit or advanced standing. <<If they pay the fee and then end up at a school that won't count it, then it is money wasted. >> You should check, but I would find it unusual that the schools mentioned don't award something in exchange for a 3 or higher. (classes no- tests yes) In addition to the possibility of earning credit, bright students all take AP classes/tests. So, without AP, her application doesn't look very "college prep." I've told my daughter that I will pay for it. Her friend, however, is skeptical, since it is a crap-shoot whether or not the credit will be accepted. And then some schools - like Stanford - only take AP credit if the student earns a 5/5 score. >> No!! She isn't "getting it" This is crazy- out of the 9000 colleges, there may only be a few who don't give AP credit, that's not a crap shoot. Even Stanford gives credit- you just have to kick butt on the test (her grade in the class is a separate thing). She isn't understanding the GIFT of an opportunity she has. So, assuming she takes the AP exams and earns all 4's....so Stanford won't give her credit- so what- she'll have the rest of the colleges banging on her door offering full scholarships (assuming she has the SAT score to back it up). Its really win-win.
Thanks everyone... Good points. Like I said, I don't mind paying but daughter is having a hard time convincing her friend to pay the fees to get the credits. Daughter took the SAT 3/8 and gets scores on 3/20. She's hoping for a 2300, but anything above 2200 is ok. Stanford, Berkley, Duke and Dartmouth are her top choices. It should be an interesting (and expensive) experience.
As others have said, the policy on CC credits and AP/CLEP vary by school. One thing that doesn't is once you are enrolled in a school, you must get prior approval before taking summer or DL courses if you want to transfer them back for credit. My friend's son found out that lesson the hard way.
