<p>I'm a high school student making use of Minnesota's dual enrollment program to work on college courses. I'll have completed my Associate in Arts degree (plus a smattering of economics and mathematical coursework) at the end of my junior year in high school. Next year, I'll be transferring to the University of Minnesota, Morris to do upper-level economics coursework; I intend to major in economics. In theory, if I work hard enough, I could graduate with a BA in economics at the end of my senior year. In order to get my degree by the end of my senior year, I'll have to take sixteen credits during both semesters at the University, in addition to a calculus class over this coming summer - a difficult load, but hardly impossible.</p>
<p>Should I complete an economics degree at UM,M and then go straight to the workforce, or should I use my community college AA degree as leverage to get into an upper-level (possibly Ivy League) school?</p>
<p>Is it better to have an Ivy league degree, or a degree from a state school and three years of work experience?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>In a very similar situation as yours. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Ivies and the vast majority of top private schools will not accept dual enrollment credits. It sucks. Because if this, it is quicker for me to finish up my credits at a state school and then transfer and graduate from Harvard with a grad degree than it is for me to get an undergrad from Harvard… </p>
<p>Welcome to the crazy life of dual-enrollment </p>
<p>Sent from my ADR6425LVW using CC</p>
<p>It depends on your long-term goals. Frankly, you’re not likely to be admitted for a graduate degree at Harvard from UM, M. You’re not likely to be admitted to many graduate degrees at top schools, due to your age, the standing of the school, and your preparation (you won’t be admitted to top econ grad programs without high-level math and significant research experience). So, if you want to be an economist or professor, for instance, this should be a significant concern. You should also note that you can’t earn the BA from UM, M and then receive a second undergraduate degree from a top school (they don’t admit second-bachelor’s-degree candidates), and I don’t believe you’d qualify for federal aid.</p>
<p>If you graduate at 18 with a bachelor’s degree, you won’t be entering a very good economy… and you’ll face significant discrimination due to your age. If you were interested in an MBA, this would be a significant barrier because such admission is based largely on the prestige of your employer. I highly recommend that you try to attend a higher tier school to finish your bachelor’s degree, especially if you can get scholarships or need-based financial aid.</p>
<p>I graduated from high school with two years of college credit. I now attend Emory University, which accept 31 hours of my coursework, and am completing a joint-major in Economics & Mathematics and a second major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Society & Culture as a I prepare for graduate school. Of course, I’m receiving nearly the full cost of attendance in financial aid.</p>