I am currently a high school junior who is taking multiple AICE classes (college-level courses basically AP), I am eligible to take all of my senior classes at the local CC for free while still having the perks of being a senior. I have been told by some however that doing so will make me look “bad” when i apply for colleges (trying to go to FSU, maybe UCF) because it will look like i am taking the easy way out rather than having a full AP/AICE schedule senior year. I could Dual Enroll and take classes at my HS but I’ve also heard that taking classes already offered at the HS will look bad. Some people also say you miss out on senior year activities.
At this point i am stressed out because I don’t know which path to take. I really want to Early Admit since i’ll same time and money, but I don’t want to make myself look any less worthy to a college like FL State because of this. I have also been told that it would be a good idea to pursue an AA degree and by the looks of the classes i have taken, by the end of senior year Im sure i will have it. However, won’t i be considered a transfer student when i apply and my chances go down? I’ve talked to my guidance counselor who has said that students who early admit love it. I’m at a cross roads and could use some advice! Thanks!
Lets stay focused on FSU, and UCF (and other Florida public universities); these schools will treat Dual Enrollment classes about the same as AICE/IB/AP classes. Don’t worry about any differences.
Typically, if you graduate HS with an AA, you still apply as a freshman. However, they may also require that you apply to your major/college. In that case, you’ll need to have your prerequisites done for that major.
Contact Admissions at both schools, they can answer your questions. Make sure they will still accept you as a freshman (even with your AA).
Good Luck!
UCF:
E-mail: admission@ucf.edu
Phone: (407) 823-3000
FSU:
E-mail: admissions@fsu.edu
Phone - 850.644.6200
What is your goal - is it to graduate with your BAchelors degree early?
If you go with Dual Enrollment, are you planning on spending your senior year on Campus (Early Admission ~30 credits). I don’t understand how you could get your AA degree if you have started taking your DE classes as of yet. I would highly recommend the Early Admission program. You will get to complete at least 30- credits (39 credits if you include summer classes)
One of my kids did dual enrollment during her junior and senior year. She had 45 DE credits and was accepted at FSU, UCF, USF, etc. (did not apply to UF). She could have gotten close to 60 credits before graduating high school, but elected not to do so.
FYI: If you complete the AICE program, you automatically qualify for Bright Futures (I think irrespective of GPA and ACT/SAT scores). The AICE program I’m familiar with, only about 23% of the students actually completes the program (35 out of 150).
Because of the AICE classes that I am taking, they count towards college credit therefore they apply to the AA degree. I’m pretty sure I will be able to get my AA by the end of senior year with the college level credits and DE/EA classes. However, I would still like to have the college experience but at the same time I want to pursue medical school which is a very long educational path.
Hey! I hope I can still help here! I was in the same exact situation as you. I took a full Aice/AP course load my 3 years in high school and then I did full time dual enrollment my senior year at the CC (doing it right now). I don’t think it affected my chances in the least bit. I got into USF, Rollins, Eckerd, and George Mason(out of state). I’m committed to Eckerd now. Overall I’m glad I did it and ignored the stigma because my teachers said the same thing about it looking bad. I honestly did it for myself, because junior year taking a full load of Aice classes caused me anxiety and depression and I didn’t want to spend my senior year like that. Also, because the classes were so difficult the chances of me passing the exams was slim to non so I knew it wouldn’t be benefitting me. I love all the free time I have now and how you get to make your schedule how you want it to be. Now I take 4 classes at the CC, have a job, and have started working out.
Hope this helps!
thank you for your input! I’m excited to be taking classes at the collge next year and have extra free time!