Hi there! This is my first time posting on CC and I need some advice, since most of the people I have asked about this issue are either uninformed about the program that i’m in or give biased answers. So i’m enrolled as a running start student at a community college in Illinois, in which you basically take college courses at a community college for junior and senior year of high school. I’m a great student. I’ve taken my fair share of rigorous classes during my high school career and have gotten A’s in every single one of them (except P.E). I have also gotten all A’s at the college, except for a single B I got in a science course. I enrolled in the running start program mainly because I thought it sounded impressive and because I thought it would be more challenging than my high school classes. But here’s my issue: half-way through the program I stumbled upon some nasty posts about the running start/dual credit program that shunned the students choosing this route and encouraged others to take AP’s instead. I also read that many colleges tend to prefer AP students over running start students, and that many of the running start credits will not transfer. I am at a very split decision here, and I have absolutely no clue as to what I should do. I really want to withdraw from the program and take a full load of AP courses my senior year and take classes that I wouldn’t be able to take at my college (like French and Weightlifting). Again, I don’t want to withdraw because the classes are hard, but because I would much rather take the AP test so that I can claim my credits and take classes I enjoy. Would I be better off finishing the program to get my A.S that I would get anyways. How will colleges look at this move? Will this affect my chances at scholarships?
Both are valid paths.
Personally I think that running start is a better way to go if: 1) Finances are a concern 2) You are looking to attend a college in your state. If you finish with an associates degree, you will have finished 2 years of college for free…your state schools will transfer all your credits.
AP credits might be better if you want to apply to colleges out side your state, are planning to go for 4 years (or less depending on what transfers) and where you think you could either get Merit scholarships or Need based scholarships to help.
I don’t think colleges really care as long as you are preparing yourself. For example, I knew a student who thought CC classes were superior to those in HS…but took Psychology and Sociology instead of the sciences and math she would need for nursing.
For scholarships…many states have colleges that have scholarships for CC transfer students.
If you wanted merit scholarships from other universities, you would count as a transfer I think but ask to find out.
Some colleges won’t give AP credit, but will use those scores for placement, some won’t give transfer credit for college classes taken before you earn your HS diploma. I don’t think either program is better than the other in every case. bopper’s advice is spot on, you need to identify your own goals, and figure out how both options fit those goals. Don’t worry about what other students think about Running Start, worry about what admissions counselors think about it. If you are thinking about out of state or private schools, call their admissions office and ask. Check their websites to see how they treat transfer credits, and find out whether you would be considered a new student eligible to apply for financial aid as a freshman, or whether you would be treated as a transfer student, eligible for a different set of scholarships. Once you identify your goals, and how both options fit those goals, then you can make an informed decision, based on your own needs, not rumors.
I am also a Running Start student, but I’m from Washington State. I recently visited NYU and spoke with one of their admissions advisor and she said that they look at AP and Running Start/Dual Enrollment students the same. I went into Running Start because I wanted more freedom and it offered me many opportunities like the ability to work without giving up any extra curriculars, travel, and diverse studies. I think the only reason Running Start would be worse than AP is if you want to go to an Ivy League school. Otherwise, even if it’s out of state, schools like NYU, UC schools, UPenn will all (or should all) look at you highly as you’ve challenged yourself and have taken the most difficult classes your school provides. As for credits that transfer, it’s mainly only in state. But you can check out the website ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ and see if your prospective college is on the website. This gives you an idea of what credits will or will not transfer. Lastly, if you want to take a class at your high school, does your school not offer you the ability to do so? For example, at my high school I am able to be a full time (15 credits per quarter) running start student, but I can also be enrolled in one full year class at the high school or two semester classes. Hope this helps!