Dual Enrollment 101

Class in session, kids! Hold on because this topic is tough and can easily become overwhelming but I'll do my best to keep it as simple as possible.

Dual enrollment is a program that our school offers in partnership with Miami Dade College, FIU, and (sometimes) with St. Thomas University.

• Through this program, you can take college classes and graduate with your Associate in Arts degree, which is the equivalent of the first two years of college.

1st BUT: You can just take a few Dual Enrollment classes if you choose. You are not required to graduate with your AA.

• You can begin taking classes the summer before sophomore year as long as your GPA meets the cutoff. In the spring of your Freshman year, Ms. Macho (CAP Advisor Extraordinaire) will reach out to those who meet the requirements to give you information on the program and how to sign up.

• Dual Enrollment was created to allow high school students to transfer their credits when they go to college.

2nd BUT: Credits will only transfer to public universities inside the state of Florida. So FIU, University of Florida, Florida State University, and University of Central Florida, will accept them, but the University of Miami will NOT because they are a private institution. Increasingly, even at public universities, there are certain classes they will not accept- but these policies are specific to each school. If you decide to go to school outside the state of Florida, your AA will still be valid, but universities just won't accept the credits because they want you to start from scratch at their school.

• You can take these classes in a variety of ways:

1. After school at Mater

2. During school at Mater as a senior

3. After school evening classes at MDC

If you pass your AP exams, you can earn credits and fulfill your requirements, meaning you do not have to take that class. In my opinion, this is the best way to graduate!! If you pass enough AP exams, you will only have to take a few MDC or FIU classes, meaning less times spent taking extra classes and doing extra homework.

Dual Enrollment is a huge responsibility because they are extra classes that require dedication and time just like any high school class. Deciding whether or not it's for you is a delicate decision that you should take time to make. Don't just jump on the bandwagon because your friends are doing it. I've prepared my list of pros and cons to give you something to think about.

Dual enrollment gives you a preview of the way professor-student relationships work, so when you get to college you'll already have some experience. You can also take classes in subjects you're interested; I've been able to take three Psychology classes over the years, for example. However, this is not always the case since the classes offered for AA candidates are limited. In terms of college admissions, it is of course impressive that you're working at the college level.

BUT BUT BUT dual enrollment is a big commitment. It is definitely overwhelming when you're taking multiple difficult high school classes and on top of that you have to spend your evenings sitting in on additional classes, and find the time to complete work for them, too.

Taking dual enrollment is a very personal decision. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons very carefully- I cannot stress this enough!!! It is not for everyone and just because it seems like everyone around you is doing it does not mean that's the right decision. Know yourself, trust your judgment, and you will make the decision that is best for you.

All the best,

Laura