How to highlight credit awarded directly by college (not dual enrollment) in CommonApps

Applying to College
1

Hello:

There are some discussions about this topic, but we are not clear on how to really approach this.

My son has put emphasis on community college courses. He has some AP courses: 7 done, 4 in progress; and some college courses: 11 done, 2 in progress, and will take 1 or 2 in the spring/winter. 7 college courses are related to his intended major, rest are GE. We want to highlight these in the college applications, but how?

In CommonApps, we have listed all the courses in Common App → Writing → Additional Information. It seems like this section will not get the same visibility as Common App → Courses & Grades. Some colleges don’t even consider Common App → Writing → Personal Essay. So what is the chance that they will consider Common App → Writing → Additional Information?

What options do we have?

TIA

2

You’re greatly overthinking the value that will add

Colleges are looking at course rigor. Rigor can be AO, IB, DE, CC.

Your son lists his coursework and provides the transcripts. That’s it. AOs know how to evaluate. There is zero to be gained by writing, “Look at me. I took real college classes. Not those Mickey Mouse DE classes, but real classes.”

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Only some of the colleges use the courses and grades section in the common app. I would start by checking how many of the colleges on his list use this section.

If it is only a few, you can send the college transcripts to those schools.

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Thanks for the feedback.

I am sorry if I gave a wrong perception about AP/IB/DE vs CC. What I wanted to note is that in most cases AP and IB courses are on school transcript and will go in “Courses & Grades” section, where as DE/CC course are not and will not get listed in “Courses & Grades” section.

We just want AO to know that there are courses beyond what are listed in “Courses & Grades” section.

Your son lists his coursework and provides the transcripts…

List in which section? And send transcript to all colleges applied?

TIA.

Edit: I see the suggestion from @sfogooner on where to send transcripts.

5

Thanks.

Does that mean all colleges applied: (1) colleges which consider courses and grades, and (2) colleges which don’t?

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Include the college courses and grades wherever there is self reporting of the academic record.

Send the college transcripts along with high school transcripts to any college that wants transcripts on application.

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  1. Send them as they use the course and grades section, you can add transcript information in the additional info and send them.

  2. The answer is more nuanced. Some have other means to get transcript information like SRAR. You can get the portal login and do whatever is indicated there. Some want college transcripts and others are not interested.

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