Dual enrollment
Dual enrollment lets high school students take college courses and earn college credit, often high school credit at the same time. The classes can run on a college campus, online or inside the high school with an approved teacher. Cost, rules and whether the credit transfers differ by state and by college.
In more detail
You will also see the names dual credit, concurrent enrollment and early college. States and schools use them in slightly different ways, so rely on the exact terms on your own state or school page. In most programs you sit in a real college course and get a real college grade on a college transcript.
Dual enrollment is not the same as AP. AP credit depends on one exam score in May. Dual enrollment credit depends on your grade in the course. Both can save time and tuition, but the college you attend later decides what it accepts, so ask that college whether it takes credit from the college that taught your course.
It suits students who are ready for a college workload. A college grade follows you: a low grade becomes part of a permanent college record and can matter for later financial aid or scholarships at that college. Start with one course in a subject you already like, not a full schedule.
Dual enrollment pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You earn college credit before graduation, which can shorten a degree | The credit may not transfer to every college |
| It often costs less than regular tuition, and some states cover it | Fees, books and transport can still be charged, depending on the program |
| You try a college workload while you still have school support | A low grade stays on a permanent college transcript |
| It shows colleges that you took harder courses | The workload sits on top of school, sports and work |
Example
Noah is a junior. He takes Intro to Psychology online at a community college for 3 credits and earns high school elective credit for it too. He finishes with a B+. The state university he applies to accepts the course and counts it toward a general education requirement, so he starts one course ahead. A friend took a course at a different college whose credit the same university would not accept, so it only counted as an elective.
How to use it
- 1
Ask your school counselor which dual enrollment programs your school offers, who qualifies and what the deadlines are.
- 2
Check the eligibility rules, which often include a grade level, a minimum GPA and a placement test.
- 3
Ask the college you want to attend later whether it accepts credit from the college that teaches your course.
- 4
Pick courses that match your plans. General education courses such as English, math and psychology transfer most often.
- 5
Get the syllabus on day one and write every exam and deadline into your calendar.
- 6
Use the professor's office hours and the college's tutoring help early, not after a bad grade.
- 7
Protect your grade. It becomes a permanent record, so withdraw by the deadline if a course is not working.
How StudyPDF does this
College courses bring dense lectures and a syllabus that fixes the exam dates. In StudyPDF you upload the syllabus, slides and readings of each course, set the exam date in the Plan tab and get dated sessions over your own material, weak topics first. Bo answers from what you uploaded, with citations that link to the page. A practice exam is sectioned, can be timed and gives a graded report, so you see what a college exam feels like before the real one.
See also
Common questions
Is dual enrollment worth it?
Often yes, if the credit transfers to the college you want and you can handle the workload. Studies link dual enrollment to higher college enrollment and completion, though students who choose it may already be more motivated. Check transfer rules first and start with one course.
Is dual enrollment the same as AP?
No. AP credit depends on one exam score, while dual enrollment credit depends on your grade in a real college course. Both can earn college credit, but each college decides what it accepts, and some students do both.
Put it to work on your own course
Upload your lectures and ask Bo. Cited answers, plus flashcards, exams, and more built from your material.