I’m graduating high school this year under the Distinguished Plan, and while I recognize it means I worked harder and performed better than the typical student, I still have yet to see why so many of my peers are stressed about graduating under this plan. When I had my first meeting with my counselor about my college and graduation plans, she told me that the Distinguished Plan is really just like a sticker to paste on your transcript and diploma (metaphorically, of course).
What is the advantage of graduating through the Distinguished Plan vs. Recommended Plan? Is there any?
There really isn’t. I’m a ninth grader, so I graduate under the endorsement program which is pretty useless. I think Texas likes to think its academics are ahead, but they aren’t. The distinguished plan says that you took an extra year of a language instead of filling that spot with elective credit, which would also be perfectly fine.
The Distinguished Achievement Program requires more than just an extra year of foreign language, @Hamlon. It also requires that the student meet 4 advanced measures, such as passing an AP test, getting an A or B in a dual credit course, completing research, and being a National Merit Scholar or Commended Student.
@evanian15, the requirements of the Distinguished Achievement Program are all likely to be met by the top students. Strong students should take 3 years of foreign language anyway, just to leave options open, as some universities recommend 3 years. Top students should also be taking challenging courses such as AP and DC. So rather than looking at it from the “what is the advantage” perspective, just consider that it does mean, as you said, that you “worked harder and performed better”. You did what you should have done, and as a result you will graduate with DAP on your Texas diploma.
@Barfly The “what is the advantage” part of my question wasn’t really what I meant to ask. What I was really trying to get to was the latter part of your response regarding recognition for DAP. I understand its purpose, but I am having troubles understanding its effect post-graduation other than, like my counselor said, a sticker. Trouble understanding whether the small recognition warrants its existence.
Maybe I just feel there’s a lack of significance and feel a lack of accomplishment graduating under this plan given the hype it receives where I live.
@evanian15, I see. Where we live, no one knows or cares about it. The good students just end up with it, but I doubt they even notice. Our school puts a final transcript in the package at graduation with the diploma, and on the transcript it says the student graduated under the DAP. Maybe it’s hyped so that students will strive for it by taking the AP classes and extra foreign language?