Give Yourself Some Credit
Give Yourself Some Credit(s)
As a high school student, taking college courses before you graduate can save you time and money down the road. There are a few different ways to earn credits early. Read on to find out which option is right for you.
|
CLEP |
AP |
DE |
What does it stand for? |
College-Level Examination Program |
Advanced Placement |
Dual Enrollment |
Who administers it? |
The College Board |
The College Board |
State of Florida |
What is it? |
A series of exams in 34 foundational content areas |
A series of classes and exams in 38 content areas, including fine arts |
Take college courses while in high school |
Who accepts the credits? |
2900 colleges nationwide |
Most colleges nationwide |
All Florida state schools (others may accept transfer credit) |
How much does it cost? |
$89 (paid by student) |
$94 (usually paid by h.s.) |
n/a |
What does it involve? |
Sitting for a 2-hour, multiple-choice test at an official CLEP testing center |
Completing a year-long academic class, then sitting for a 3-hour, multiple-choice and extended-response exam at your high school |
Enrolling in and passing a college course, either on your h.s. campus or the college’s campus |
What are the benefits? |
· Oldest college credit program · Exam only — no course to take/pass · Receive scores immediately · Provides “jump-start” on college |
· Offers a full year of prep · Replaces regular h.s. courses · Looks good on college app · Provides “jump-start” on college · Usually paid for by h.s. · Gives experience with college-level coursework |
· Course only — no additional exam · Free for Florida students · Real college courses · Huge number of courses available · Can earn an AA degree while still in high school |
What are the potential drawbacks? |
· Not universally accepted · Offers least prep · Must pay for it yourself |
· Difficult final exam · Increased workload during the year · Less effective if taken online · Colleges may offer credits OR advanced placement, but may not grant both |
· Miss content in replaced h.s. classes · May require extra time and money for travel to college campus · Less “safety net” compared to high school classes |
Good for … |
Independent learners with advanced content knowledge in their intended area of study who want to just take a test and skip the classes. |
Highly motivated high school students who like extra rigor and challenge and who thrive in high-pressure academic situations. |
Hardworking, independent students who want to go to college and can benefit from free credits and reduced time-to-degree. |
Where can I find more info? |
http://clep.collegeboard.org |
http://ap.collegeboard.org |
Talk to your high school guidance counselor. |
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