Too Many Credits As A Dual Credit Student?

College Search & Selection Community Colleges
1

Okay, so my situation is very different and I’ve yet to find an answer.

So I’m currently in an Early College HighSchool located at the CC where I take all Dual Credit classes (no Honors, no AP). I’m a sophomore in high school and by the start of next year, I will have 28 credit hours (I’ll be taking summer classes to fill prerequisites). At the rate I’m going, I’ll have more than enough credit hours to earn my Associates of Sciences. I plan on taking 17 credit hours (5 classes) Fall 2016, and another 17 credit hours during Spring semester 2017. That’s a total of 62 credit hours and I still have my senior year to take into account (which can be another 20-25 credit hours). The reason I am still unable to graduate is because I will still be missing high school credits to reach 26 credits. Also, many of the classes I’m taking aren’t required for the Associates, but I do need them to graduate from high school (for example, 2 Fine Arts classes required for high school graduation but only 1 class is required for the Associates).

I know very well that not every credit will transfer and go towards my bachelor’s and I’m fine with that. I already knew that; I’m only taking all these classes to show my academic readiness for college and my “overachieving” spirit. Also, the extra credit hours come consequently as a side to the foreign language classes (which give multiple credit hours) and especially the math prerequisites which add up to a lot (College Algebra, Trigonometry, and Pre-calculus in order to take Calculus I, Calculus II, and I also plan on taking Calculus III). I don’t really care if they transfer or not actually; I just want colleges to see that I’ve taken those classes. The concern that I have is that I have heard that if someone attempts to transfer with so many hours, that they may not be accepted into admissions, meaning that I won’t be able to go to the desired college. Is that only a myth? Are dual credit high school students the exception and only applies to actual college students? Can I “forfeit” some classes without losing recognition that I did take those classes?

Also, before someone says, I have talked to an advisor, that wasn’t of much help. I will attempt to talk to another and see what answer I get but I also want input from others. Any advice is appreciated, thank you.

2

I have never heard of a case where a student was not accepted because they had ‘too many’ college credits.

Most colleges/universities have a Residency Requirement that specifies the minimum number of credits that must be earned from that institution in order to earn a degree from them. Typically this amounts to at least 50% (i.e. two years) of credits. So, I would expect that no matter how many credits you manage to successfully transfer, you will have to earn at least two full years-worth of credits from your Baccalaureate institution. The nice thing about some of those courses you are taking now is that they can be used as prerequisites to get into higher-level courses, even if they don’t count toward graduation.

3

Thank you for your reply. I do appreciate it.

4

The only issue is that you might be considered a transfer student applicant as opposed to a freshman applicant, but that won’t have much impact, if any, aside from maybe not being eligible for certain scholarships.

5

From my understanding, it shouldn’t hurt you if you are applying as a freshman. Yes, there are schools that won’t let you in because you have too many college credits. I believe yale and MIT discourages people to transfer if they have 2.5 years worth of college credits. You usually don’t get the chance to “forfeit” these classes.

6

Thank you for your reply. Also, funny that you mention MIT as that is my dream school. It is a visionary goal of mine to get it. Will taking a different route than the standard AP/IB classes affect my chances of getting in? All we have is DC classes, and I will be taking and doing as much as what is available to me. Let me list my EC and courses that I plan to take:

Freshmen Year (Not too much going on this first year):

Algebra I
World Geography
English I
Biology
Physical Education A (0.5 credit)

Summer:

DC Speech (0.5 credit)
DC Elective (0.5 credit/I don’t recall the name, but it was a required class. Nonetheless, it was DC)

Sophomore Year:

Geometry
World History
English II
Chemistry
Algebra II A (0.5 credit)
DC Psychology (0.5 credit)
DC Kinesiology (0.5 credit/Counts as PE B)
DC Texas Government (0.5 credit/Required for AA)
DC Honors Art Appreciation (0.5 credit/Also taking Honors classes at my local CC)
DC Honors Humanities (0.5 credit)

Summer:

DC College Algebra (0.5 credit)
DC US History A (0.5 credit)
DC Trigonometry (0.5 credit)

Junior:

DC Pre-Cal (0.5 credit)
DC Honors US History B (0.5 credit)
DC English III A (0.5 credit)
DC Fine Arts (Need another 0.5 credit for in Fine Arts but not sure what class yet)
DC Physics I (0.5 credit/Equivalent to AP Physics I)
Spanish I

DC Calculus I (0.5 credit/ Equivalent to AP Calculus AB)
DC Honors English III B (0.5 credit)
DC Physics II (0.5 credit/Equivalent to AP Physics 2)
DC Federal Government (0.5 credit)
DC Macroeconomics (0.5 credit)
Spanish II

Senior:
DC Calculus II (0.5 credit/Equivalent to AP Calculus BC)
DC Physics A (0.5 credit/Equivalent to AP Physics C: Mechanics)
DC World Literature/English IV A (0.5 credit)
DC Spanish III A (0.5 credit)

DC Calculus III (0.5 credit)
DC Differential Equations (0.5 credit)
DC Physics B (0.5 credit/Equivalent to AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism)
DC World Literature/English IV B (0.5 credit)
DC Spanish III B (0.5 credit)

With that in mind (And also keeping up my grades, which isn’t the main concern as I’m a pretty focused student), is it good enough or will I have to make up for it with a lot of ECs? Either way, I will be doing a lot of EC. Being in the Honors College, I plan to run for Officer. I am currently an emissary. I’m also in the Student Government Association for my CC, Student Government representative at my high school, and President of the Debate Club. I’m also planning on joining the Honors Society, and even running for President next year, or Senior Year and also running for President of the Student Government of my high school.

This is everything I have planned out; all my convictions. Do you think it’s good enough to make it into MIT?

Also I apologize. I know there is another thread (“What are my chances?”) but I just felt like asking you now since you seem to know what you’re saying.

7

And again, I am not looking to transfer these credits to MIT (as I doubt they will anyway), I am only looking to see what my chances are of getting accepted with the aforementioned information on my high school plan (courses and ECs).

8

If your dual classes are actually classes sponsored by the college you are taking, you most likely will get credit for them. Like I said, if you are applying as a freshman, don’t worry about it. Chances for you exist but they are small. That’s because it is MIT lol. Very small amount of people are taking dual classes in the summer before their sophomore year.

9

They are actual classes at the campus. As I mentioned in my initial post, the high school is located inside the CC. So yes, since we’re at the college and that’s all they have to offer, they are letting students take classes starting their freshmen year, second semester. I’ve known of students who have 18 credit starting their sophomore year (6 credits from spring semester and 12 during the summer). Alright, thank you for your help.

10

You might be able to transfer most of your dual enrollment credits to MIT. This student from Broward College Academy (BCA), which is a high school located on a Community College campus (“Early College High School located at the CC”) was able to complete his degree in two years at MIT after graduating from BCA with 60 credits (AA degree)

Orlando Ward-Santos, Class of 2013
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Class of 2015

http://collegeacademy.browardschools.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43666&Itemid=116952&activeMenu=116952

Below are other similar students from another Early College High School located at the CC, who were to attend MIT and other high ranked universities. Some were able to complete their degree in 2/3 years at universities such as Duke University, University of Miami, Georgetown, Emory, University of California Berkeley, University of Florida, etc.

https://www.mdc.edu/main/sas/alumni/default.aspx

11

@Jamrock411
Wow, that’s actually very interesting. Although my main concern wasn’t transferability, it’s good to hear that they most likely can. I looked into my CC and it is regionally accredited which is better than nationally. It is also a highly recognized CC. The name being Lone Star College here in the fourth biggest city, Houston. That also raises my chances I suppose.

Thank you for that information. It’s greatly appreciated sir/ma’am.

12

Hello!
I’m in a similar situation, but a senior.
As far as I’ve seen and experienced [It may be different because my program is in Ohio and not Texas I’m assuming]

I’m a senior of another Early College High School. I’ll be graduating with a dual associate’s degree in general Arts and General Sciences. [around 65 credits because the degree requirements overlapped in some areas]
I don’t know what your school officials are telling you, but you have to apply to any college as an incoming freshmen. In regards to your high school diploma, I don’t know your requirements, but our College classes count as a 5 pt class and 1 credit towards graduation each.

I also don’t know your standardized test scores situation, but colleges can actually be rather impressed by dual enrollment courses. I read that you fear MIT won’t take you, but Yale accepted me as a regular decision applicant with a 32 (and I’m not a very impressive person).

If you are worried about if credits will transfer, try going to ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ , my guidance counselor uses it to help students.

Sorry if the grammar is bad, my internet connection is horrible slow, best of luck to you too!!!

13

@SantiagoAlverez
Good to hear from someone else in a similar situation. Funny how you mention what people have told me about applying to colleges as everyone is telling me to “transfer” not apply as a freshmen and good thing I’m not listening.

For our program, each semester class is 0.5 credit. Some science 4 credit hour classes can count as 1 credit since they come with lab and lecture and is considered 2 classes basically in terms of time. I decided not to go that route and take as much as I can hence why I listed taking 4 science classes.

The reason I was doubting was because CC have different curriculum for each class making it hard for colleges to determine how rigorous your course load is thus lowering your chances. Now I know better.

I have yet to take standardized tests but I will definitely began studying during the summer. I was just curious now so I decided to ask.

Congratulations on getting accepted into Yale! That’s amazing! Also, thank you for the website. I’ll be using that, thank you.

14

@Exponent
I think that if you try your best and keep your grades up, you’ll do well where ever you go!