"As many Americans struggle with student debt, a growing number of college-bound teenagers have found a way to sidestep as much as $44,000 in tuition expense, on average — and the loans that often go along with it.
Enrollment is growing in early college programs, which allow high school students to take college courses in 11th and 12th grade, potentially cutting the time and money spent at four-year institutions in half. All official early colleges are public." …
Yep!
My brother’s kids have done Running Start in Washington! Saved him a lot!
Early college at University of Alabama is a great program. My son has taken classes there junior year and this summer. It is a very good deal for us.
I know students who attend a local early college program. College classes are taken via the local community college with transfer relationships to state universities. It’s a good value but there are some drawbacks. Students take basic community college classes instead of AP courses which in some cases have resulted in a lower-quality education. ACT test scores at this school are lower than top high schools in the area. Also, there are issues with qualifying for financial aid if you have too many college credits when you graduate. Not all early college programs are the same. The one that is through University of Alabama sounds light years better than the one offered at my local school.
My eldest did this. She chose not to shorten her university time (and got a financial package that allowed that) but many of her classmates finished in 3 years. I think it’s fantastic as many kids are more than capable of starting college early.
Yes, my daughter brought in 29 AP credits and will graduate in 3 years with zero debt for her or us. I feel sad that we rushed her college experience, but hope that in 10 years when she is doing well financially with no college debt that it will seem worth it.
I had a friend work at Americorp after he graduated, that boosted his resume, created a great network for him, as well as relieved his debt for every year he worked with them.
I have suggested my daughter look into americorp to get some experience as well as the $$ to pay some of her loans (it’s the same amount as a Pell grant for 1700 hours of work). She’s getting a minor in museum studies and I found some assignments that are working in museums, mostly with Indian art.
Great options! There’s always the military too.
This will only work when it applies to all colleges. When it applies only to state universities and a narrow range of schools then it really is just a substitute for Community College (which for many jobs and graduate programs) has a negative connotation. The AP program credits used to transfer until colleges realized that students would pursue this venue to cut a year or two off their undergraduate degree. Today many selective colleges require 8 semesters. Yes, a few will allow you to pursue a grad degree during that time but many will just place you in higher level courses. The students are getting the worst end of the deal having done the AP work and not being able to get the college credit. This should be where people put there emphasis. Force ALL schools to accept AP credit for what it is, college credit.
No, colleges should not be required to accept AP credit. The classes associated with is are not accredited, and while most colleges accept transfer credit from other colleges, that doesn’t mean they accept them toward degree requirements. Forcing a college to give credit for scores is akin to removing their control over their product. When the College Board gains accreditation, and issues credits of their own, which can then be considered transfer credits, then perhaps they should be accepted by all schools (but then, many of those freshman applicants will become transfer students, rather than freshmen.
I did something called Middle College in my state. It has different names across the US and maybe Canada (?). I am transferring from community college at the age of 18 and 1.5 years earlier than traditional high school students. It will have saved my family about 40 grand in tuition (state university) and puts me ahead. Other ways to save money is to:
-only take classes that are necessary for credits/ major requirements.
-buy USED textbooks (don’t even bother going into the bookstore unless you can’t find it online).
-Apply to be an RA or other work on campus (there are jobs for basically anyone in lots of different fields).
Real college classes made my high school’s AP classes look like a joke. My stepmom taught at a different local high school (regarded as probably the best public in the region, routinely sent kids to the Ivies, etc) – their APs also look like a joke now in comparison.
There’s really no argument for forcing colleges to accept AP. If anything, I’m shocked so many do.
My kids said that their college classes were nothing like their AP classes…APs just felt like an advanced high school class…
I’m a fan of AP classes as they usually offer more rigor than the standard high school curriculum - has to offer some value in preparing kids for college. Some AP’s are hard, and some relatively easy. If they get credit great, and if not they will be better prepared by taking them.
Also, regarding previous comments, I don’t necessarily agree that “real college classes” are always harder than AP. Just like AP, there are hard college classes and there are easy college classes with plenty in between.
Regarding the AP classes your mentioning, did the students that were in them make mostly 4’s & 5’s on the AP test? I’m just wondering if there can be variation with regards to how rigorous the classes can be taught. At my daughter’s school, it seems like the AP’s are being taught incredibly hard and many of the kids are getting 4’s and 5’s. I don’t have any knowledge other than her classes how AP’s are taught at other schools. I would think that if the class isn’t taught in depth, than the scores would reflect that.
Its a good thing especially for small schools with No AP. My D has 18 credits starting junior year.