<p>I was thinking about going to a residential dual enrollment type college to complete my junior and senior year (or maybe just senior year) and earn college credits at the same time. It's offered at a university. The students actually live on campus and everything. All of the classes are at the college, but they have to take certain ones such as Biology or maybe Geometry based on what their schools require them to take during Junior and Senior years. The one I wanted to attend is called Georgia Advanced Academy. It's at the University of West Georgia. There are only 9 programs like this in the entire country. Anyways, I was wondering whether colleges (especially the ivies) would prefer students who stay in high school and take numerous AP classes and self-studies or students who go off to these early college programs?
It seems fun for the most part and seems more challenging than any high school curriculum. I've read somewhere that most colleges have determined that AP classes are the best indicator of rigor. And some colleges don't trust these types of programs in high schoolers take in colleges because they aren't certain of the rigor. I don't know. I really want to be valedictorian, but if I go to this program I don't think I'd still be in the running. Technically, I wouldn't be going to the high school but I still get its diploma.<br>
Has anyone ever tried this sort of thing? Has anyone specifically been to the Georgia Advanced Academy?</p>
<p>I can’t answer your question, but I do have a few thoughts. </p>
<p>My daughter is doing dual enrollment - she is a home-schooled student and is taking classes at a community college.</p>
<p>By the time she finishes high school she will already have the first two years of college completed. This does change a few things. As far as 4 year college admission, she is guarenteed admission to several instate colleges as long as her GPA is high enough ( a joint agreement between the community college and the 4 year schools). </p>
<p>I do wonder about scholarship money, however. At some of the schools, I know they offer transfer students some pretty good deals, but at others the money won’t be quite as much as it could be for an incoming freshman. </p>
<p>I also wonder if she will miss out on the typical freshman experience at a 4 year school. </p>
<p>But to keep on doing regular high school stuff when she could be taking college classes and receiving credit just doesn’t make sense either. </p>
<p>As far as rigor - personally I think you will get more out of the college classes than the AP classes. Sometimes I think AP classes focus too much on being “difficult” and not so much on “learning”. For my older child, the selective college she went to was more impressed with the community college credit than the AP class credit. But that is just one school .</p>
<p>If you’re not having to pay much (or the money isn’t a significant issue to your family), I would go; it’s probably much better than the typical high-school experience. However, you should be aware that most ivy’s will not accept ANY of the credit you earn. They may place you in a higher course or something, but you won’t graduate any earlier. I’m not saying this is a bad thing, you should just be aware of it.</p>