Is Early College Worth It?

What is Early College (ECHS)?

Early college is a type of education that focuses on dual enrollment and college-level courses. The general idea is that when a student graduates, they will receive a diploma as well as an associate’s degree (generally in arts or science), all for free. Early college was formed with the intent of helping those with low-income or minority backgrounds get increased accessibility to a college education, although anyone can apply for admission (school dependent). The goal is to decrease the overall price of college by allowing high-school-age students to gain credit and spend less time in college to attain their academic goals.

With this setup, students take grades 11-12 at their ECHS respective college. Generally, this is a community college or college in the local area. However, the early college program differs by state and sometimes by school. Some early colleges only accept students whose parents don’t have college degrees. Some early colleges start in ninth grade and offer AP and IBs in the lower grades while others offer honors classes mixed in with introductory college-level courses. If you are applying, research your early college to see the specifics. With these programs, there is more of an emphasis on taking classes at the colleges versus online like many dual enrollment programs.

The Benefits….

As previously mentioned it does decrease the cost of college. Even if a student does not graduate early college with an associate’s degree, they still have college credit for courses that will enable them to graduate college early. It is very hands-on and provides students with a better understanding of standardized testing, college applications, and general college prep. This hands-on learning creates good study habits that students may not be able to foster otherwise. Statistics show that those who are underrepresented or at a socioeconomic disadvantage gain more college credits at an early college than at a regular public school.

The graduation rates at early college programs are higher than those at public institutions as students are more likely to attend class and complete their courses. There are on average fewer suspensions and dropout rates. By taking college-level classes students are more prepared for classes in college. With more focus on students, and preparations for life the dropout rate is lower, and it has been shown to prepare students for secondary education in ways that traditional schools lack. In certain cases, students are able to gain enough experience in early college to start working with or partnering with businesses. If you know what college you will be attending, or want to attend, you can find out which classes transfer to that college. Doing well in the college-level courses also looks good for college applications. Since the grade sizes are smaller, the community is very tight-knit. The teachers often double as professors at other colleges and therefore are able to guide students from personal experience, possibly a reason why early college students are shown to score higher than their college peers.

The Drawbacks…..

It does take away from having a normal high school experience. If you utilize all a high school can offer, such as dual enrollment and AP or IB classes, you may end up with enough credit to graduate a year early, putting you in the same position as someone who went to early college. Early college also forces you to decide what you want to do early on if you want to get the credits you need. Some early colleges have a set curriculum, meaning you may not be able to choose which classes you want and it makes it hard to take classes that you need to transfer credit. It's easier to find a schedule and know what credits will transfer to a four-year university if you know what you want to do early on. Some of the college credits taken at an early college may not transfer to the college students become enrolled in. Students interested in healthcare or other sciences generally still need the four years in college to gain the credits and labs they need, which puts them in a similar position as students who go to public school.

Although the main advertisement is that students can get their associate’s degree, many students don’t. It is a common experience that students who start early college as an eleventh grader have a different view of early college than those who went as ninth graders. It can be harder to fit in and find your place, especially with less typical high school events, with some schools lacking sentimental items, such as yearbooks.

The grade sizes are on average smaller, so again the high school experience changes. Since many students enroll as 8th graders it can be hard to adjust to an entirely new social circle, as they have to say goodbye to their middle school friends. In many cases, there are limited to no sports and arts programs which makes it difficult to gain the same advantage when it comes to college applications. It makes it difficult for students to choose between athletics and a more hands-on education. Since students spend time on a college campus, there are few occasions such as pep rallies, school assemblies, and other high school events. Since the campuses differ from the local high schools, transportation to early college becomes difficult.

If you are looking into the early college experience, it may be difficult based on your state because they are less common than the normal academic route and some states haven’t implemented these programs. It also can be hard to gain vocational skills as the curriculum is adapted to orient to college. Early college isn’t easy, there is more support since many students may not have parents who can support their academic interests, but there is no lack of work. Students have to be ready for the challenge, meaning they should be self-motivated and unafraid of burnout.

If you’re uncertain about if an early college program is right for you, reach out for a consultation with one of our student coaches!