What Is Pre-College Credit?

We've all heard it from our parents, our guidance counselors, even our friends: You have to be competitive to get into the college of your dreams. But how can you possibly know what to do when there are so many options? Here we give you a breakdown of Pre-College Credit for your writing classes and which type (AP, IB, and dual enrollment) is right for you.

1. What is Pre-college Credit

Pre-College Credit is a way of earning college credit, while still completing your high school diploma. For example, when earning credit for writing courses, you are earning credit to skip First Year Composition (FYC) at most universities. There are different options for pre-college credit, but the most popular are AP, IB, or dual enrollment.

2. Wait, what is First Year Composition?

FYC is the general education requirement writing courses for freshmen entering college. These classes help prepare you to write academically and practice the kind of research papers you will be required to write for the rest of your time in college.

3. Why should I even get pre-college credit?

Pre-College Credit has some great things to offer:

1) the college credits will be free, 2) the demand can push you to become a better student and 3) you may complete up to two years of college, while in high school.

4. So, what's the catch?

These classes are demanding, more so than the current english classes you have taken because they are meant for college students who are 18+. Also, not all pre-college credit is equal. There are many types you could take to get credit and some prepare you for college writing better than others.

5. How am I supposed to choose?

When deciding what pre-college credit experience you are ready for, you need to think about how they match up with the kind of writing you will do in college. Depending on the pre-college credit you choose, your college GPA may be affected. Are you ready for that kind of pressure?

6. What is AP (Advanced Placement)?

AP is taught by your high school teacher at your high school. The class lasts the entire school year and at the end you take an exam, which determines the amount of credit you receive. Most schools require you to get a score of a 3 or higher to skip FYC. The catch is that if you don’t do well on the exam, you won’t get credit and some schools don’t accept these credits at all.

7. What is Dual Enrollment?

Dual enrollment is offered at a college in your city or town. While this will give you a chance to experience college-level classes and get free classes and books, you will have to provide your own transportation and may be the youngest student in the class. These grades count for both your high school and college GPA and these classes require the level of attention of a college-level class, so it would be best to have some experience with college-level writing and time management skills.

8. Wasn't there a third option for me?

International Baccalaureate or IB is usually a part of the high school, so you won’t have to travel. The classes are graded based on the teacher’s class work grades and the score you receive on an exam taken at the end of the program. This program requires a good work ethic and time management skills because the course load is heavy in order to prepare you for the exam.

9. What are my other options?

One of the main reasons students get pre-college credit is because they can get college credit and even some textbooks for free. If you're not ready for these intense classes though, you have some other options to cover college expenses. This includes pell grants, scholarships, and work study programs at your future university.

10. What's next?

Take the Directed Self Placement (DSP) here. Once you have gotten your results from the DSP, share the results with your parents and set up a meeting with your guidance counselor to see what option is best for you.