<p>Parents, I need help. How can a high school student like me enroll in university courses when I am only in high school? Who do you contact? Are there usually any requirements (ie have connections) ? I want to take courses over the summer at colleges (preferably not community colleges though). Also, how much will it cost (just a guesstimate)?</p>
<p>dooit:</p>
<p>It may be a bit late to apply for summer school. There are Secondary Schools summer programs at many universities: Brown, Harvard, etc.. all have them. Check out their websites. These tend to be quite expensive (e.g. $10k).</p>
<p>If you live near a university or college, you may be able to enroll in college courses during the school year at minimal cost. At our high school, a guidance counselor handles the applications and registration. For summer programs, you will probably need a transcript and letters of recommendations. There are probably threads under high school life you should check out.</p>
<p>thanks marite, for the reply</p>
<p>I just found a visiting students program on one of the universities' websites- it says its only for students from other colleges, but I'm going to call tomorrow and see. </p>
<p>One question: how do I enroll in courses during the schoolyear when I'm already taking full load of courses at my high school? I leave school at 3:30pm, so should I take night classes then? How many classes are there in a week for a course usually?</p>
<p>It depends on the course and the college.</p>
<p>In my S's high school, students are expected to be in school during the schoolday and to be in class (no study halls, per the legislature). So students who take college courses do it in the evening, and those classes are on top of the full school load. Some classes meet twice a week, some meet only once (but for 3 hours, perhaps). </p>
<p>Your high school may work things out differently. It may be possible to have a reduced high school course load if you take college courses. You may be able to get dual credit for the college courses. Ask your school. If you are interested in summer school, look up the summer school and secondary school programs. They may be listed under continuing education, as in the case of Harvard. Here is the link:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.dce.harvard.edu/ssp/%5B/url%5D">http://www.dce.harvard.edu/ssp/</a></p>
<p>But why would they allow you to take classes if they haven't even admitted you yet? (not summer school or any special programs)</p>
<p>thanks :)</p>
<p>Many universities recognize that there are high schoolers who have exhausted the offerings of their high schools and need to take college courses. For example, a couple of years ago, the Multivariable Calculus class offered by the Harvard Extension School drew 53 high schoolers out of a total enrolment of 83. It is by no means unusual for students to take AP-Calculus in sophomore or junior year and thus run out of math classes to take in senior year or even before. Extension schools typically allow individuals to take single courses. So one need not be a full-time college student to take these courses. </p>
<p>In California and some other states, many community colleges offer courses that count for dual credit (for both high school and college), though the credit may not apply to private colleges.</p>
<p>My Son will duel enroll next year. There is no English or Math left for him to take. I called the Admissions Offices of the local University (closer than the community college) and have been working with them directly as to enrollment and class choice.</p>
<p>Our school is on the block schedule (four classes one day and four the next). Duel Enrollment takes up two of the eight classes. In other words, he may end out only taking four classes next year, and two college classes.</p>
<p>Do might try a search for "Dual Enrollment" for your school system or for your state. It's the generally-accepted term for this. States and school systems vary in how they handle it. Sometimes it's virtually free for the student.</p>
<p>My son took a college course over the summer at a local private college with a scholarship he won via Johns Hopkins CTY program after 10th grade in statistics. We called the college & spoke with his HS grade level counselor on which course would be best--he got no HS credit (but doesn't need any anyway & they don't include it in his GPA--shucks--got an A).
You might start with your grade level & GC & registrar to learn what other students at your school may be doing. The HS my kids attend have had other kids take college summer school courses as well. They don't take courses during the year because the AP courses & ECs keep them all pretty busy. There are also summer programs at other colleges & universities that they may be aware of, which tend to cost more than those in state, especially state schools.</p>
<p>Well, I know for a fact that no one at my school is persuing anything of that sort. My GC was in awe when I told them I wanted to independently study for an AP course- my school doesn't offer any. I don't know how helpful they will be ... :/</p>
<p>I agree with HImom - your first stop should be at your high school guidance counselor's office. Your counselor may be familiar with programs in your area. Here in Ohio, the state pays for college courses for high school students, without regard to income level or type of high school attended. However, funds are limited so students have to apply early for the program. The funds may be used at either public or private colleges in Ohio. </p>
<p>If your high school counselor can't help, contact colleges near you and ask about their programs. You will probably be required to submit an applicaiton to the college's high school student program to demonstrate you are capable of doing the coursework.</p>
<p>Community college courses are very easy to take in HS in CA, especially because the units are free. My GC has a form that the principal signs (whether or not I want dual credit) and then I take it to the Comm college and sign up for class and buy books, etc. Very low stress, I took 2 classes a couple of summers ago. We also have a program at the local state uni (CSU Sacramento) called ACE (Accelerated College Entrance), also free (a nominal five dollar fee, and we buy books). Through ACE, which I wish I had started sooner, I took two classes second semester of my junior year after school. For us, you get the class approved by the ACE coordinator and you apply to "add" the course the day it starts, as to not lock out any "actual" college students if it had been full. </p>
<p>I found that my CC and local uni classes were easy compared to the ones at my HS, and I wish I had started taking classes my freshman year so that I could have moved on to upper division classes by junior year like my best friend.</p>