<p>Hola.</p>
<p>I have an opportunity to take free classes this summer at the local Community College. It seems like a good idea to get some courses out of the way for college, but is it really?</p>
<ul>
<li><p>How much do you think it will help college apps?</p></li>
<li><p>Will the credit be accepted at all? My top colleges are Northwestern, University of Notre Dame (reach), GW, American, Marquette, UofI U-C (match).</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Thanks for your time :)</p>
<p>I think that in general taking summer coursework at your local CC is unlikely to impress selective colleges. There are three exceptions:</p>
<p>(1) In case you’ve been struggling with some area of study, such as math or a specific science. Repeating the course at the CC level may help you address gaps in understanding. So the value is personal. I wouldn’t mention the remedial courses in my application.</p>
<p>(2) In case you’re passionate about a language, and want to avoid a summer gap in its study. This will work best if you’re either just starting a language, or you’ve very advanced. Your CC may offer a literature class in the language, and that would be a good opportunity.</p>
<p>(3) You have a passion about an area of study that’s not covered in your high school – perhaps journalism, computer science, horticulture, etc. If your CC has a program in your area of special interest that you may be able to continue over a span of 2-3 summers, then you would benefit from the coursework, and strengthen your application.</p>
<p>If however you don’t need the remedial work, and you do not have a passion that can be addressed with CC courses, then there are better ways to spend a summer, as for example, by volunteering, working, traveling, etc.</p>
<p>Will your credit be accepted?
-It depends on the college. You may want to call a couple colleges on your list and ask or look at their website. Marquette actually has a credit transfer wizard based on your community college:</p>
<p>[Credit</a> Transfer Wizard > Marquette University](<a href=“http://admissions.mu.edu/credit/]Credit”>http://admissions.mu.edu/credit/)</p>
<p>Will a college be impressed that you took summer courses?
-When you go on college visits strength in course schedule, did you step outside what was offered through your high school and what you did during the summer are points identified as positive when reviewing your application. Many other summer activities are also viewed as positive’s. I have been on the campus tour, information session for Notre Dame, Northwestern and Marquette and believe taking summer courses at a community college would be viewed as positive. When I applied to Notre Dame they mailed me a letter that I had to sign confirming that the college courses I am currently enrolled in as a senior would not be given credit for since they viewed it as college preparation, so once again it depends on the college. These same college courses I am currently taking are on the Marquette credit transfer wizard, they would accept, therefore reduce the classes I would need to take there if they are required based on my major.
-I took Pre Calc during the summer before 12th grade at a community college. Will I be given credit for the course at college, probably not, did it prepare me for calculus I and II during my senior year, yes.</p>
<p>If the courses are free, you should consider taking them. They will give you a sense of what true college-level work is like. You also may be able to transfer the credits.</p>
<p>Unless you have a job or internship that you would have to give up in order to study, I really can’t see this as a bad thing.</p>