Posted by College admissions are more competitive today, especially if you’ve got your heart set on your dream university. Students who want to stand out from the crowd can get a competitive edge by taking AP classes or dual enrollment courses.
Because academic rigor is such an important factor for college admissions, schools are impressed by students who challenge themselves academically during high school; it is an indicator of willingness to take on the challenges at the college level in order to succeed. Taking Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses or dual enrollment classes are not mandatory, but can provide great benefits.
Advanced Placement (AP) program
Taking AP courses is a great introduction to the rigor and difficulty students will face with college-level classes. Plus, according to The College Board, an AP class load plays a big role in qualifying for scholarships; 31% of colleges and universities look at AP experience when making scholarship decisions.
Students who take on the workload of AP classes show that they are ready for the fast pace, advanced material, and overall challenges that come with college courses.
What is dual enrollment?
Dual enrollment (or concurrent enrollment) enables high school students to take classes from community colleges and potentially earn college credit while also earning high school credits for graduation. These courses are typically taught at the student’s high school by a teacher approved to teach the course or a faculty instructor at the community college.
To enroll in these introductory classes, students may be required to submit their high school transcript or provide a teacher recommendation as proof that they can handle a college-level course. A 2020 University of California, Davis, study reveals that 12.6% of high school students enroll in a community college course at some point during high school.
Big benefits of dual enrollment
There are a number of perks for students able to take several dual enrollment courses during high school. As a 2018 report by Jobs for the Future and the Career Ladders Project points out, “dual enrollment is a powerful tool for student success.”
Additionally, national research shows students who participate in high-quality dual enrollment programs are more likely to graduate high school, enter college, and persist in college to completion.
It’s always important to be sure any dual courses taken will transfer because by fulfilling general education requirements, college students can then devote time to:
- Classes that fulfill requirements in their major
- Other classes of interest
- Study abroad courses
- Job internships
Students who are able to take several dual enrollment courses during high school may:
- Transfer credits to satisfy a prerequisite
- Earn enough credits to graduate early
- Complete a double major in four years
Getting ahead with Areteem
Because academic rigor is such an important factor for college admissions, schools are impressed by students who challenge themselves academically during high school; it is an indicator of willingness to take on the challenges at the college level in order to succeed. For some students, dual enrollment may not be a possibility, but Honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses are a great alternative.
Taking AP courses is a great introduction to the rigor and difficulty students will face with college-level classes. Plus, according to The College Board, an AP class load plays a big role in qualifying for scholarships; 31% of colleges and universities look at AP experience when making scholarship decisions.
The summer is a great time to give your child a head start on a successful future. Areteem offers courses that help students get ahead and learn advanced material. Areteem’s Intensive AP courses are 12-week courses that prepare them with skills to pass an AP exam. While every school is different, passing the AP exam may allow the student to earn college credit. Thus, in addition to being a time saver, there is also a cost savings because these classes are typically far less expensive than equivalent college courses at a university.
There are 15 different AP classes your child can choose from during the summer. All are taught by our esteemed instructors who challenge young talented minds. This team of college professors, scientists, and mathematicians have a long history of teaching high school students and the Areteem alumni have gone on to MIT, Cal Tech, Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Harvey Mudd College, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and more.
Learn more about Areteem’s Intensive AP courses. Use the code SUMMER50OFF at checkout for $50 off.
Share this post!