How to take college classes now

As if high school classes weren’t enough! Being a high school senior can be overwhelming, what with sports, band, student council, debate and youth groups, not to mention work. Isn’t the last year of high school supposed to be one of the best times of your life? It often is. But being a senior also means it’s time to prepare for the future, and that’s why many seniors are now taking college classes during that final year of high school in addition to advanced-placement classes.

While grades in core classes are important, so is the level of course difficulty. College admissions representatives like to see that applicants have taken challenging courses, including AP courses, non-traditional classes such as Japanese, and freshmen-level college courses. While class rank and GPA are important, you are probably better off with a B in an introductory English class from your local community college than an A in physical education in high school.

“If you have the chance to take college classes in high school and you’re planning on going to college, by all means take advantage of the opportunity,” says Peter Vogt, president of Career Planning Resources. “You’ll get a direct sense of what college coursework is like, and you’ll soon understand that it’s a far cry from high school coursework in most cases. That is a good enough reason to pursue the idea.”

Vogt says taking college courses while in high school will also show college admissions counselors that you are focused on going to college and that it is a conscious choice you are making, not a fall-back plan. “These are all good messages to send, especially when you’re trying to impress admissions officers at highly competitive schools,” he says.

So instead of padding your senior schedule with basket weaving, lunch and study halls, be proactive and plan for your future. What you know now will only make you smarter and better prepared for college. Here are some questions Vogt offers to help you decide whether you should take college classes while in high school:

Do you actually plan on going to college?
If you don't, taking college-level courses won’t benefit you from a getting-into-college standpoint, though you could still learn a great deal. 

Will taking a college-level course or two help through high school? Will you earn credit for both your high school diploma and your college degree at the same time?

Will taking certain college-level courses in high school save you time, money, both?

Is there a college major about which you’d like to learn more? If so, taking a college-level course in high school in that subject area is a great way to find out if you’d like a job in that field. 

Do you have the time and energy you’ll need to succeed in the course?
College-level courses can be considerably more difficult than high school courses. There’s also far less hand-holding by college faculty members than by high school teachers who help you get your work done on time. College faculty won’t hold your hand—they expect you to be able to do the work well and on time. They won’t check up on you. They’re available to help you if you approach them, but they won’t come to you unless you ask. You need to be ready for this difference in philosophy. 

Talk to other high school students who are taking or have taken a college-level course.
Find out what it was like for them, and ask them for any advice they might have for you. They may be among your best sources of information. But, like college faculty, they won’t come to you. You have to find them. Contact admissions officers at various colleges, or visit Web sites to get a sense of how different schools feel about high school students taking college-level courses.

Your senior year of high school will always be one you won’t forget. However, your freshman year of college will be one of the biggest adjustments of your life. Prepare now for your future and get ahead of the pack.

If you are looking to take things a step further, consider enrolling in a summer program before your senior year of high school. These programs are available at colleges and universities across the nation. There are numerous programs in which you may enroll that run anywhere from one to nine weeks. “You will be living in a residence hall and eating the cafeteria food,” says Elaine Harlan, an admissions counselor at the University of Missouri-Rolla. “You will get a feel for college life on that campus.”

Most programs will get you involved with the campus. There may be mixers in the evenings or a play at the theater. Most importantly, of course, are the classes themselves. Are they informative? Stimulating? Are professors teaching the classes, are they excited about what they are teaching? Is the staff readily accessible to answer any of your questions or concerns? Here are some additional things to consider:
How long does it take you to get from the residence halls to classes?
Are the residence halls computer-compatible?
What’s the library like? Find and use it!
Where is the bookstore?
Are there restaurants on or near campus?
How are the sports complexes and workout facilities?
How safe is the campus?
Can you bring a car to campus? How much does parking cost?
Check out the city where the college is located. What amenities does it offer: shopping malls, movie theaters, parks?

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