<p>I'm wondering what students who are in college courses for high school credit, as in Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) programs or WA state's Running Start program think about where to go to college. Obviously, you students already have one college experience first-hand as you think about where to go for your undergrad degree. How many of you want to stay in the school you are already in? How many of you want to use attending a college at high school age as leverage to get into a highly prestigious undergraduate school? What do you look for in a college? </p>
<p>And what advice do you have for kids trying to decide whether or not they should do a college-classes-for-high-school-credit program? How does a younger student prepare well for a PSEO program?</p>
<p>I would never EVER go to the school you did PSEO at. I knew I didn't want to go so close to home, and I basically accepted the fact that all the work I was doing wasn't going to transfer - at best, maybe I could test out. I basically did PSEO as a way to a: keep from going insane with boredom and b: get into a good college (I was accepted Early Decision to Princeton, so it must have helped somewhat ;))</p>
<p>For people who don't mind staying in the place they're at (my case, Minnesota), and especially if they're mature enough to handle it, PSEO can be an amazing way to get 2 years worth of credits under your belt, free. Or if you just choose a place where they transfer (another public school, for instance). Personally, I didn't want to completely give up high school, so I did part time - 1 class each semester in 11th grade, and 2 classes last semester. This semester, I'm doing 1 at the Uni (not a math, thank heavens), and AP Chem, AP English, and choir at high school (yes, I have the easiest schedule ever). </p>
<p>Basically I think PSEO is ultimately up to intuition - what is right for you. I have a friend going full-time at UM-Morris right now; that would DEFINITELY not have been right for me. I also think it's a good intro to college - I'm taking a Topics in Anthropology class this semester, just because I want to, and after taking 3 semesters of math I think it will get me used to 'real' college (i.e. actually writing papers, and reading, and working) - I'm taking it pass/fail, which takes the stress off of things.</p>
<p>I'm rambling because it's late at night, but yeah. Also, if anyone here in MN has any questions about the PSEO program, especially related to math classes, PM me because I'm a useful source of info, hopefully ;)</p>
<p>Only from experience, and friend's experience, and friend's friend's experience I'd say the most critical factors to be answered in choosing these are:
1. If the child is under 16, transportation is the most important.
2. Is the child capable of achieving at least a B?
3. With the expectations of work, is your child willing to give up sports? (Big one)
4. Is your child motivated enough, and have a deep enough passion? By the way, if you merely force them to go through a program, they'll develop a liking for it because of the people he/she works around will impact him.</p>
<p>Post High School Considerations
Many kids don't wish to go through the same school after attending PSEO in Minnesota, because the mere reason for attending is to prepare for a competitive college. Going to PSEO and then attending the U of M defeats the purpose, as you can attend the U of M after high school anyway and do fine if you are accepted. At this age it's hard for me to tell what I look for in a college, as I've only gone to the U. The number one thing suitable for me is, GET OUT OF THIS GOD DAMN COLD BLIZZARD OF A STATE</p>
<p>I hear you about going to school in Costa Rica after this last weekend in Minnesota. In fact, my best buddy from high school (suburban Minneapolis) spent quite a long while in various stays studying in Costa Rica, but he eventually got his degree from good-old U of MN, as I did. Neither UMTYMP nor PSEO existed when we were in high school--too bad. </p>
<p>What do people in other states with programs like Minnesota's PSEO program think about going to college at high school age. And, for the topic of this forum, how does having that experience influence your college choices when you decide to enroll for an undergraduate degree?</p>
<p>I'm considering PSEO for next year. I would probably go to Ohio State, just because it's the best program out of the ones in my vicinity. I would consider going there though.</p>
<p>Hi, Celebrian, that's cool that you're thinking about PSEO. I have a nephew who got an Ohio State degree--as I recall, he met his wife there too.</p>
<p>Where are you guys doing PSEO currently and where do you plan on going?... Will your credits transfer there?</p>
<p>I'm doing PSEO in Winona and will have over 60 credits completed by the time I finish high school and feel so conflicted over whether or not I should stay in the state and use these credits or go to a top school.</p>
<p>If you go to a "top" school (i.e. Ivy), none of your credits will transfer. I'm going to be going to Princeton, and basically, I can possibly test out of some entry-level classes, but it's not like I'll be starting as a Junior. </p>
<p>If you go to "public ivies" i.e. Madison, then your credits will probably transfer, or at least a majority of them.</p>
<p>Really, you have to look at what schools you want to go to and see their transfer policy, and also think about if you want to 'waste' all those credits you already have. I did PSEO as a way to get me into a good college, knowing that I wouldn't be getting credits for it (and why would I want to spend less than 4 years at my loverly school)?</p>
<p>I believe that you can get some credits to transfer if you have the teacher write a letter, show what you did, and then try and test out of that class. That's what my brother did, and he's at Caltech right now. </p>
<p>Also, I'd say that it is a good experience, although I'm pretty sure it is a lot easier than a university would be. I have a double load and I have an easy 4.0 lol (6 5 credit classes).</p>
<p>Prettyfish wrote, "I did PSEO as a way to get me into a good college, knowing that I wouldn't be getting credits for it (and why would I want to spend less than 4 years at my loverly school)?" </p>
<p>This is the answer I have received when I have heard someone ask about transfering PSEO credits at local information sessions conducted by the top colleges. The PSEO credits do NOT transfer as credits toward graduation. That is, even if you have "two years of college" through PSEO behind you by the time you enter Harvard, you enter Harvard as a freshman. (Harvard's path to advanced standing is specified AP or IB tests.) BUT, previously studied courses can fulfill course prerequisites at the top schools--some school ask you to take a placement test to verify placement, and some read your transcript, but you don't have to repeat your calculus course if you really have already learned calculus. And also, having previous college study makes you an applicant who maximized academic challenge in the high school years, and that is what gets you in in the first place at a top college, or at least increases the probability of getting you in. </p>
<p>Let's see, so far in the thread we have U of MN and Winona State (also in MN) as example PSEO schools for thread participants. Where else have any of you studied? If my son does this, and I expect he will, it will definitely be at the U of MN Twin Cities.</p>
<p>I study at the University of Akron. I've done it for the past few years, and I'll have over 50 credits by the time I graduate in about 4 months.</p>
<p>I do running start. I did it only because my school was changing for the worse, and because it's a lot more rewarding to get a B in a course you worked really hard in than it is to get an A+ in some useless class at HS. I never thought about RS getting me into a good school, though now I realize it's given me a bit of an edge in the admissions process which is nice.
Most running starters at my college go to the UW and take all thier credits with them, though I knew I never wanted to go there so that wasn't an option for me. If I get into my dream school (which is NOT an Ivy) my credits will not transfer though if I go to any others they probably will as long as there is some sort of equivalent and they weren't used for HS graduation requirements.</p>
<p>My S has had a strong interest in Japan for many years. He didn't want to take German/Spanish/French in high school, so he decided to take Japanese at Ohio State through post secondary. He started in the summer before senior year on our dollar in a Japanese Immersion program. They do not continue immersion Fall-Spring but they do teach Intensive Year 2/3 which he is taking. Next summer he will finish with Immersion Year 4. So, in a year and 3 months he will have 4 years of college Japanese. </p>
<p>What's very cool about this language process is they only accept around 15 students in the summer. They make the campus seem small as these kids are together from 8:30-3 everyday. They really get to know the teachers and each other. Summer also is a slower time on campus and less intimidating. OSU normally has 50,000 students, but my S after getting that summer base doesn't see it as a big deal which is amazing and great IMHO for next year when he moves on (NO..he does not want to attend OSU).</p>
<p>It has been awesome for him. The program at OSU is top 10 I believe. It is tough but he is very near the top of the class. He has matured in his abililties to handle college situations/schedules/working his way through all of the bureaucracy. He wanted to add a 3rd class (culture), but they wouldn't allow him to take a full load, (which really ticked him off as he is getting straight As and he felt that shows he could handle it) so he asked the instructor if he could come everyday just to learn it. She said yes, so he is attending/doing the homework/tests. </p>
<p>He would have gone insane if still in high school all day. He has 2 classes there. </p>
<p>Probably the weirdest part for him is that he falls between 2 worlds. He socializes mainly with the kids on campus (strange for us), many he knew from hs. He has been able to get a taste of what will happen next year from the safety of still living at home. I must say that I have no fears of his ability to handle college away from home after observing this year. Post secondary allowed him to get the confidence to see that he can handle college. </p>
<p>I believe most colleges would not accept these credits to transfer. If he would decide to say major in Japanese in college, I think he could test out of the language requirement.</p>
<p>That's cool to hear the story about studying Japanese at OSU. Definitely, most of the most selective colleges will not accept as credits toward graduation any random college credits an applicant took as "high school" courses, but those courses should, in most cases, fulfill prerequisite requirements for taking more advanced courses as soon as the applicant enters an undergraduate degree program. </p>
<p>Yes, my thought when Minnesota started the country's first PSEO program was, "Why couldn't that have happened back when I was in high school?" High school was SO boring, and going to the university was a delightful change. Going two years earlier would have raised my aspirations and given me much more confidence and drive.</p>
<p>If you attend the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities make sure to keep a decent GPA, in my opinion a 3.5 there is better than a perfect 4.0 taking a bunch of easy AP classes. Also twinn cities is more recognized by many more colleges than a local university. When I was there, I meet kids from International Falls, to kids in Yellow Medicine country all the way down to Wionia, all coming together. Stanford takes alot of the classes that you take there including</p>
<p>Calc I
Calc II
Calc III
Human Geography
MacoEconomics
Political Science: American Democracy
Physics I
Physics II
Freshmen English
The rest went in as electives, which still allows you to graduate within about 2 years, depending on what you plan to major in. </p>
<p>It's a great chance, because its the difference between taking the hardest cirriculm, and a very demanding one. Transportation is an issue for alot, but as PSEO states, if you cannot afford it, they will PAY for it (assuming you can prove that you cannot pay for transportation). The first thing they will do is try and give you a bus pass, and if not possible at all, they will pay for your gas/parking fees through a stipend. </p>
<p>As the others said before, most come into the program, so they can get into a very prestigous university after HS, even though Minnesota is a great school! The part that turned me off the most was walking through -30 degree weather, when the buses took like an hour before they arrived :P</p>
<p>Also I have seen 4 of my friends in the program go to great schools as well:</p>
<p>UofM 3.75gpa + 27 ACT = Columbia
UofM 3.2gpa + 28 ACT = John Hopkins
UofM 3.4gpa + 30 ACT = princeton/yale can't remember, they always seemed the same to me, lol
UofM 3.3gpa + 34 ACT = University of Minnesota IT Honors</p>
<p>
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The part that turned me off the most was walking through -30 degree weather, when the buses took like an hour before they arrived :P
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<p>Well, I put up with that as an undergrad at the U of MN TC, so of course that is part of my parental stock of stories along the lines of "When I was your age, we had to gather sticks in the woods to heat our house . . . " </p>
<p>Thanks for sharing the examples of MN PSEO students going on to the big-name schools elsewhere.</p>