<p>My son attends a college prep school in Texas. Here in texas, there is a large number of college prep schools that have primarily dual enrollment packages with nearby community colleges/universities. My son attends one of these which is a fairly new one too. Basically it is a 4/5 year rigourous college prep program where students take NO APs or IBs, instead they take 60+ credits in dual enrollment classes through the partnered community college. My son has taken all high school honors courses and will have taken about 12-13 college courses (primarily in math, science, social sciences) by end of senior year 1st semester and will get an Associates Degree at graduation from high school. I am very concerned with how this school/academy and his grades will look to top 20 colleges that my son is applying to. He is going to apply to Rice, Harvard, Penn, Cornell, Duke, Brown, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, Chicago, etc.
He so far only has had two Bs (in college courses) and all other As. Will his situation with his school give him a disadvantage when compared to other high schoolers that are taking AP/IB courses that have similar grades?? I don't really care if the credits transfer or not because most of them won't, I am just concerned with any disadvantages this causes? I contacted all the schools but they all gave me generic answers (like expected). I really want some input!! thanks!</p>
<p>Scads of students pursue dual enrollment programs instead of IB/AP, and successfully gain admission to Ivy and Ivy-peer institutions. Do not worry about this. Provided your son has good grades, good test scores, and his HS guidance counselor checks the box indicating that he has pursued the most rigorous program that his HS offers on the recommendations, it will be OK.</p>
<p>any other advice??? anybody have a similar experience?</p>
<p>MLH, happy is right on. Top schools know to peer into submitted academic records to find the top kids. Your kid’s scenario isn’t uncommon for top schools.</p>
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<p>Actually, the public universities will likely accept a lot of the ones from true college level courses at the CC. The Texas public universities likely have pre-made articulation listings so that you can know beforehand what each CC course is equivalent to at the Texas public university.</p>
<p>So are they considered freshman? Or transfer?</p>
<p>Dual enrollment is growing in popularity in many states. The Ivies are aware of the programs, so your S will not be disadvantaged. With no AP scores, he’ll need to ace the Subject Tests, however.</p>
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<p>College credits counting towards transfer admission status are only for classes take post-HS.</p>
<p>For admission, the student will be a freshman applicant. Sophomore or Junior status may be awarded after enrollment based on the number of courses that transfer in.</p>
<p>I asked my son about any “articulation agreement” and he said that his guidance counselors said something about one for his school and University of Texas system so I guess tht alot of those classes will transfer. About the comment about SAT Subject tests. He is thinking of doing Math 2 and Biology and going for 740+. Do you think that would be enough or should he pursue others??
As per his guidance counselor, schools will consider him a freshman applicant everywhere because he has not graduated from high school yet.</p>
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<p>Yes. Don’t LOVE Harvard. Or any other school on your list for that matter. These schools turn down 4.0, 2400 SAT, 36 ACT, EVERY SINGLE DAY. They are a reach for even the most accomplished student. I would cut your list to 3-4 “reach” schools, 3 matches, and 2 safeties. Just because you cast a wide “reach” net, does not mean it will yield any better results.</p>
<p>The kid ranked number 6 in my daughter’s high school class (well known, large, HARD Texas Public) who had a perfect 4.0, 16 AP’s with 14 5’s and 2 4’s, 18 hours dual, amazing EC with huge leadership and awards on the national level, 2380 SAT, 36 ACT, went into college admissions with a similar list. She came out with all rejections except one wait list that never materialized and ended up enrolling at UT Austin, the only “safety” she bothered to apply too. Interestingly enough, she finds the course work there a huge challenge. It is one thing to balance dual enrollment and another to balance day to day college life.</p>
<p>So it really is just a caution. There are kids here every single year that just don’t know how they got bypassed by their beloved Ivy. Rejection happens much more than acceptance so have a back up plan that makes you not feel like you had to settle.</p>
<p>Also, the only thing the schools on your son’s list have in common are prestige. What are his educational goals and likes and dislike as far as a campus is concerned?</p>
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<p>Agree, but the OP is the parent, not the student.</p>
<p>The most competitive schools will look at all the applicant holistically - they will not penalize your son because his school did not offer IB or APs. They will want to examine his schedule to determine whether he challenged himself. Very few of them, if any, will offer any credit for duel enrollment courses. If he ahs done well in the classroom, they will look at teacher recs, SATs, ECs and the all-important essays. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice glido and collegeshopping. My son knows that his “wide net” of applications will probably not yield any better results then applying to a few. He has a good number of safeties/matches where he would be more than happy attending. He does not think that his successful track record in dual enrollment will have any indication of success at top schools. Although i do not want him to be depressed on “Doomsday” which will probably happen from his large number of applications and probably rejections, I think that he is old enough to realize that it is his own decision and that he should be able to live up with the outcome. Once again, I thank all for their input and advice. If anyone has any other experience or advice with similar situation(s) please PLEASE share.</p>