Last semester (HS junior year) I took 2 college classes (At a T25. one Honors 200-level weed-out class and another 300-level econ class) and 5 high school classes. Due to the schedule of my college classes and the extra four hours a week of honors section lectures/discussions, I had classes (no studying/ECs at all) from 8 AM-9 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a break between 12-12:30 and 5:30-7 (the 5:30-7:00 was more like a 6:00-6:45 because of logistics). Because I left class at 9:15 I didn’t even sleep at my house, instead staying overnight at my Girlfriend’s apartment closer to campus.
Is this worth adding to my additional info as my school’s transcript system can’t even register schedules above 8 hours? I’m not trying to excuse any bad grades, etc., because I got As in all of them, but I think it shows my dedication since the college classes I took were related to my major. I am worried that I will be viewed negatively by the admissions officer as the no-lifer I am though.
I would not.
Your rigor will already show and you made the logistical decision.
For most, it’s best not to use that section.
Good luck.
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I also would not.
To the extent it is a positive, you making the effort to pursue your academic interests through college classes is reflected in your actual completed classes. To be blunt, I think you are right that then asking for additional credit for such a time-consuming academic schedule risks a negative and not positive reaction.
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One of my kids did extensive music (including classes) outside of school and I believe they put it in the additional info section. They or maybe the guidance counselor (sorry I cannot remember) explained that they dropped down a math level in order to take a music theory class, and took online classes due to tight scheduling at our school. Not sure if this helps, but I don’t see a problem with explaining why you too the college classes, how they relate to your major and were not available at your school, and the impact on your schedule/EC’s. But…keep it very short and matter of fact. Just my take.
Won’t you have to include your college transcripts when you apply? If so, the colleges will see that you took these courses.
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Most colleges will want your college course transcript (it sounds like your HS won’t be putting it on that transcript, is that correct?). You should also put those college classes in the common app courses and grades section and/or the SRAR (variable based on the colleges you are applying to.)
It’s ok to use the additional info section. A highly rejective AO once told me when I was working as a counselor “we provide the additional info section so applicants can tell us more about themselves, why would an applicant choose to not do so?”
I would estimate 60%-75% of the apps I read last year had something in that section. But it has to be something additive to the app, sharing your schedule as you did in your OP is not that. Good luck.
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It wouldn’t be, I chose to keep the college classes I took on the High school Transcript. There isn’t any indication of hours/ time commitment. I chose to keep them on the High School Transcript because the number of college classes I’ve taken would cost nearly 10 thousand I don’t really want to pay if I chose to have them as college credit as opposed to taking them for free but for High School credit.
If you view something about yourself as a negative, why point it out? If you use additional info section, make it count. Add something there that sets you apart.
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I don 't really view putting a lot of time in academic pursuits as a negative, I was just considering the possibility that others don’t share that same view. Point taken though.
My kid took duel enrollment courses. She was required to provide the college transcript for these courses even though they appeared on her HS transcript.
Maybe that isn’t universal but I would check.
@Mwfan1921
Yeah It’s different here. There isn’t a college transcript to provide. Only proof is my HS transcript, my school counselor, and the profs I took the classes under.
This varies by school, OP could contact the schools they are applying to and ask, but I defer to their school counselor.
If it’s dual enrollment, isn’t it through a specific college whether physically taken at the hs or college ?
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Yes it is through a specific college and physically at that college. However, since no college credit is being received there is no college transcript that exists. The grades are on my High School transcripts. Even if colleges require a college transcript I would not be able to get it for them.
This is the information I have received from the head of dual enrollment and my counselor.
This is a bit confusing. Are you saying you have no proof that you took these classes as dual enrollment? Are you planning to list them in your application as DE, or merely as high school classes, and then explain that they are actually DE in the additional info section? Is that what you are proposing. I am a bit concerned that you will raise some red flags if you list DE classes but are unable to produce transcripts for them (even if these same classes appear on your high school transcript). I am assuming other students at your high school have done this and not had any problems with subsequent college admissions?
Yes, its quite a common practice in my district.
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Apparently the program isn’t actual dual enrollment just taking college classes for HS credit, I confused myself with the term dual enrollment.
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But it might not be what is expected where you apply to college. You will need to check
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Ok, OP DM’d me details of the program. It is not a DE program. Meaning there is no enrollment at a college although the program offers advanced classes taught by college profs.
OP does get HS credit but no college credit, because they aren’t enrolled in a college. So no college transcript.
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