AP vs DE Courses-the Pros and Cons for UGA Admissions

By: David Graves     

 

Every year, one of the most asked questions for UGA Admissions concerns whether students should take Advanced Placement courses or Dual Enrollment courses. As you can guess, our standard reply is “It Depends”. This is not a cop out answer, but rather it is based on the student’s actual situation. What courses are available at the high school? What options does the student have with colleges in their community? What is the course preparation leading up to these classes, and what is the student ready for academically? What future colleges is the student considering, and what are these colleges credit policies on AP/IB/DE work? As you can guess, this is not always our most popular answer (right up there with the parental favorite “Because I said so.”). This is my attempt at giving you the potential positives and negatives of each choice.

AP COURSEWORK

Potential Positives

• Most colleges around the US will give credit for strong test scores on either AP, with limitations set by each college. 
• AP coursework is consistent worldwide, so the student, the school and the college all know what is expected. Yes, there are variations based on schools and teachers, but the curriculum is standardized.
• AP students are able to get an idea of the level of work needed for a college-level class while still in a high school course.
• Taking AP courses in your high school allows a student to remain active in high school activities and events, as they stay on their HS campus.
• AP students are in classes with other people who are looking to really challenge themselves in their coursework and in class interactions/projects.

Potential Negatives

• Obtaining college credit for AP exams is not consistent nationwide, and there is the potential to not receive any credit for a lower exam score.
• At times, there are limitations on the variety of AP courses offered at a high school.
• There is a cost associated with AP exams, which while not huge, can still be daunting for some students and families.

DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSEWORK

Potential Positives

• The availability of dual enrollment options is very widespread, and this is especially important for students who attend a high school with no AP courses. In addition, the wide range of courses offered for dual enrollment students at each college is great.
• If you pass a DE course, a majority of public colleges (and some private ones) will award you credit for the courses.
• For students in some states, the cost of a dual enrollment course is minimal.
• If you are attending dual enrollment courses at a local college, you are in class with true college students, which allows DE students a chance to both see and learn from this experience. Students also are able to get an idea of the level of work needed for a college-level class.

Potential Negatives

• The consistency of dual enrollment colleges and courses varies greatly, so make sure you choose locations and courses which will prepare you for upper level major courses at your potential future colleges.
• A number of very competitive colleges might not accept dual enrollment coursework, and it varies depending on whether the DE course is taught on the college campus or on in the high school (HS campus DE is sometimes referred to as Concurrent Enrollment by colleges).
• Dual Enrollment courses will remain on your permanent record, so if you are looking at graduate school programs or if you really struggle in a DE class, this could be an issue. When UGA calculates an overall college GPA, DE work is a part of this calculation.

I hope this has answered some questions for you, or at least stimulated some questions. Please know that this is not a full or exhaustive list of the pros and cons for each, as each individual situation brings its own unique pluses and minuses. In the end, admissions offices cannot recommend what you should take, as this should be determined after a meeting with the student, the parents and a school official.

 

Good luck, and Go Dawgs!

 

Applerouth Free July Webinars for Parents and Students

July offers another month of summer and some great opportunities to learn about:  Mental Health & Coping  Enhancing Your Writing Skills  Transitioning to College  And more!  Get insights from Applerouth experts on a variety of subjects related to the well-being of your student. Please share these free webinars: All are welcome to attend!

Save Your Seat Today

How to Tame Anxiety and Build Motivation

Thursday, July 7 at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT Even the most intellectually gifted students can't achieve their potential without these 21st century skills. Learn how to equip your students for success in school and life.

How to Become a Stronger Writer

Monday, July 11 at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT To be a successful student, you have to be a strong writer. Unfortunately, writing is a tough skill to master and a lot of students don't get the instruction they need. It's not rocket science - you just need to know some basic principles to start improving.

SAT v ACT: The differences, timelines, and the expectations of colleges

Tuesday, July 12 at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT Join Applerouth Tutoring to learn about the SAT and ACT, as well as up-to-the-minute updates on both tests. You'll learn about the main differences between the two tests, how to decide which one is better for your child, when to take them, how much to prepare for them, and more.

Navigating the College Admissions Process

Thursday, July 14 at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT The college admissions process should be a time of opportunity and new beginnings, but increases in competition and costs cause more anxiety than excitement. We will arm you with information to help you navigate the college admissions process with confidence.

Teens and Tech: Practical Tips for Parents

Tuesday, July 26 at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT  From setting boundaries to how tech use impacts your teen's school and family relationships, learn the facts and get practical tips to foster a healthy and manageable balance in your home.

Your Changing Role: How to Be a Great College Parent and Help Your Student Make a Successful Transition

Wednesday, July 27 at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT Join special guest speaker, Dr. Andrea Malkin Brenner, college transition educator, creator of the Talking College(TM) Cards, and co-author of "How to College: What to Know Before You Go (and When You're There)," for this practical session on things you can do to support your student's success in college while lessening your involvement in their daily lives as they become more self-reliant.

 

NYU Collegiate Seminar

Nominations for the Fall 2022 NYU Collegiate Seminar program are now open! If you are interested in your counselor nominating you for the program, please reach out to them by June 29th.

The NYU Collegiate Seminar program introduces rising high school juniors to college-level discourse and broadens their academic horizons as they begin their college search.

Through the program, students participate in one or more seminar-style classes taught by top NYU faculty in the subject of their expertise. Through lively, intellectually rigorous discussions, students are encouraged to examine their perspectives and discover exciting avenues for academic pursuit. There is no cost to participate in the program.

 Fall 2022 seminar topics include "The Politics of Photography," "Black Software: Will New Technology Save Us All?," "Transforming Uncertainty into Opportunity: The Science of Serendipity," and more. 

Visit the Collegiate Seminar website to view the full schedule. 

When & Where:

Seminars will take place on Saturday or Sunday mornings throughout the fall 2022 semester (September 17th-December 10th). Half of the seminars will be conducted online, and half will be conducted in-person at our New York campus. 

The deadline to nominate a student is July 13th, 2022.

Eligibility:

Participation in the NYU Collegiate Seminar program is selective. To apply, students must first be nominated by a counselor or teacher. Please let your counselor know that you would like to be considered for nomination by June 29th. Once nominated, your student will receive an invitation via email to apply for the program by the July 20th deadline. Let your student know you've nominated them for this unique opportunity at NYU!

Students must be in the 11th grade in fall 2022 in order to be eligible for nomination and admission. 

8 Summer Activities that Impress Colleges

 From CollegeData

Colleges are interested in how you spend your summer vacation because what you do in your spare time says a lot about you -- and your motivation to learn and grow. Here are some things you can do this summer that might make you a stronger college applicant.

When students think of summer activities that can help them prepare for college, they often think of college summer programs such as Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program or Columbia University’s Summer Immersion or traveling abroad for an extended period of time. These are excellent activities for your college resume, but they can require advance planning – including submitting applications several months before the summer begins – a competitive admissions process, and/or a large bank account.

Fortunately, there are other ways to show colleges you’re the kind of curious, motivated, and intelligent student they want to admit – and many of them don’t cost anything except your time and effort.

1. Get a job—any job

Working during the summer – as well as during high school -- can demonstrate all kinds of positive personal qualities that colleges look for, including leadership, organization, maturity, responsibility and collaboration. Your job doesn’t have to be impressive, unusual, or related to your future career. According to Harvard University’s admissions blog: “The type of work is actually less important than simply holding down a summer job. Colleges always want to see students who are willing to work hard in any context.” In addition, earning money for college is never a bad idea.

2. Take an online class

Colleges like to see students challenge themselves beyond their high school curriculum, which is why any additional, focused learning over the summer can be a plus.

Consider taking college-level courses online from a community or four-year college. For example, UC Berkeley allows high school students to attend some summer courses virtually. Or, look into taking a class from an online learning platform, such as edX or Coursera, which provide access to classes at various universities. Many of these courses – such as Harvard’s CS50 Computer Science Courses – are offered for little or no cost.

3. Create your own project

Developing a project of your own can make admission officers take notice – especially if it ties into a personal passion or future career.

Here are some ideas:

• Start a blog, video series or podcast about your favorite academic subject
• Write a short story, novel, or article and get it published
• Organize a fundraising event for a local charity
• Start a business or nonprofit organization that addresses a problem or supports underserved individuals in your community
• Pull together a band, theater group or dance troupe to entertain others
• Organize and lead a clean-up team to improve a local park, playground, or beach
• Volunteer for a political campaign or a nonprofit with a mission that is meaningful to you
• Develop and complete a research project

4. Job shadow 

Job shadowing is a way to learn about different jobs and professions by following and observing an employee performing their job. If you’re interested in becoming a veterinarian, for example, you might spend some time observing a veterinarian in the office. See this guide to job shadowing for more information and tips for finding job shadowing opportunities.

Informational interviewing, which is an informal conversation you can have with someone working in an area that interests you, is another way to learn more about different jobs and career paths. The objective is not to find a job (it is not a job interview) but to ask questions, to get information about different aspects of a career and educational paths leading to it, and to make professional connections. 

Your interview or job-shadow experience may inspire you in ways that you can write about in your college applications.

5. Read and self-study

Taking the initiative to learn something completely on your own can also help you stand out to colleges and show your passion for learning.

For example, let’s say you love languages and you teach yourself Hindi over the summer. Or you are passionate about American Literature and make it your goal to read every book and short story written by Mark Twain. Or perhaps you are fascinated by finance, so you spend the summer learning the fundamentals of investing, trading virtual stocks, and reading books by leaders in the field.

You can also get a jump on any AP coursework you plan to take in the fall using online resources like Khan Academy, the Princeton Review, or Kaplan, or brush up on your math and science basics to prepare for the coming year of high school.

6. Prep for the SAT or ACT

Although many schools have adopted test-optional and test-flexible policies, you may still want to take the SAT or ACT and submit your scores to colleges, as good scores may enhance your application – even at test-optional schools. If you plan to take or retake these tests, summer is a good time to prepare for them. You might consider taking a test-prep course, working with a tutor, or studying on your own using books and free online resources.

7. Research colleges

Colleges like to see that students are serious about their college journey and have considered what kind of educational experience they want. Summertime may offer you the free time needed to think about the college qualities that matter to you and to begin to build a balanced college list of reaches, safeties and match schools.

If you’re just starting to think about college, you might set aside some time this summer to visit college websites, go on virtual or in-person college tours, or attend some of the online programs or seminars offered by the admissions office.

If you’re narrowing down your college list, dig into academic departments, professors and their research, and student clubs at some of your finalist colleges. You might also consider reaching out to the admissions office and see if they can put you in touch with current students.

8. Improve your online presence

Colleges sometimes look at social media to learn more about applicants, and you’ll want them to see evidence of your interests and abilities in your social profiles. You might consider creating a LinkedIn profile that lists your extracurriculars, work experience, and honors and awards. Take the time to remove images and posts that don’t reflect well on you.

Don't forget to Recharge

Although it’s important to take advantage of the summer to build up your college resume, it’s also important to rest and recharge, spend time with family and friends, and have fun. Choose your summer activities wisely — go for quality not quantity — and don’t forget to enjoy your summer in the process.

Juniors - Time to Start Your College List!!

From CollegeData

There are more than 2,000 four-year colleges in the U.S. No wonder applying to college can feel overwhelming! Here's how to get started on your college search.

Doing an effective college search will help you trade your "getting-in" anxiety for a growing sense of excitement about your upcoming college life. In fact, just looking for colleges will teach you a great deal about what you really want.

Choose a Starting Point

It's best not to blindly hunt for colleges without some idea of what you are looking for. Here are three easy ways to get started.

1. Search based on college features. If you know that certain college qualities are high priorities for you, search for colleges with those qualities. How to Choose Your Top College Priorities can help you sort out the college features most important to you.
2. Search based on what you want to study. Finding the right academic fit is usually the highest priority for students who have some idea of a major. However, if you aren’t sure what you want to study or career path you want to pursue, look for colleges with a liberal arts or interdisciplinary studies major or other major that gives you flexibility in your choice of classes. For help, see How to Find Colleges if Your Major is Undecided.
3. Search based on college location. Want a school within a certain number of miles from home? Is there a city or region you would love to experience? Search for a variety of colleges located where you would like to live during your college years.

Use Efficient Tools

One of the most effective ways to search for colleges is to use an online search tool with a wide variety of college features, such as College Search. College Search lets you search for colleges based on a variety of factors, including geographic location, size, admission rate, financial friendliness, diversity, majors offered, and more.

Be Careful with National “Rankings”

College rankings, such as those published by U.S. News and World Report can serve as an easy starting point to learn about popular colleges. But it’s dangerous to assume that a highly ranked college is right for you, or that the ranking measures the factors important to you. Create your own college ranking based on the factors you are looking for in a college. For more information about college rankings, see Get Smart About College Rankings.

Learn More About the Colleges You Find

Once you have a list of six to eight colleges that meet some or all of your criteria, dive in and find out more about them. Research them online, visit their websites and YouTube channels, take their virtual tours, or look them up in a college guidebook. If a college looks like it could be the right fit, visit the campus. If you can’t visit, tour some nearby colleges that have features similar to that college.  

Searching Helps You Learn More About What You Want

No college is perfect or will meet all of your requirements, but some will interest you more than others. Make a note of what college features feel particularly “right” or meaningful. Ask yourself some of these questions:

• Will I be able to accomplish my educational goals at this college?
• Will I experience the level of challenge appropriate for me?
• Will I have the learning and social experiences that suit me?
• Will I be able to participate in activities that interest me?
• Do I feel excited about this college? Why? Or why not?

Your College List Is a Work in Progress

You don’t have to apply to every college you put on your initial list. In fact, you shouldn't. You should expect to add and remove colleges from your list as you discover more about what you want and don’t want. Odds are, your final list may look very different from the one you started with.

How To Write About Yourself: Great Tips For Personal Writing That Won't Sound Awkward

College Essay Guy

 

Does writing about yourself feel like pulling teeth? Or maybe writing a personal essay feels like wrestling an angry cat into a tiny Christmas sweater? Or perhaps it just feels like a rainy Saturday on the first free weekend you’ve had in months?

For lots of high school students, writing about yourself feels awkward and forced. How can you share personal things without resorting to cliches or feeling braggy? How do you write an essay describing yourself and your accomplishments without making it sound like a resume?

Well, just like most things, you get better at writing about yourself … by writing about yourself. You practice. That’s it.

Your personal statement is a big part of any college application and writing it shouldn’t be the first time you’ve ever written about yourself, your accomplishments, or the challenges you’ve faced.

To help you hone your writing chops and prepare for your personal essay, here are four of the best ways to learn how to write about yourself.

How to write about yourself:

1. Become a better writer by journaling

2. It’s good to write more, period

3. Different types of writing help you know your audience + hone your voice accordingly

4. Good personal writing is vulnerable

1. Become a better writer by journaling

Journaling has been shown to help manage anxiety and reduce stress—both things that are helpful as you navigate this challenging time of standardized testing and college applications. Journaling also helps you hone your writing voice outside of academic expectations or social media’s pressure to be funny or deep.

If writing about your feelings in a notebook every night feels a little too Judy Blume/Dear Diary, there are plenty of other options. You could keep a giant Google Doc filled with bullet points or record voice notes on your phone.

You could keep a video journal—you don’t have to show it to anyone or upload it to YouTube! You could write lists on any topic that sparks your interest—fantasy jobs, favorite books, times I thought I’d ruined everything but it turned out fine.

If you’re not sure what to journal about, here are a few journaling prompts:

• The two moments I’ll never forget in my life are (describe them in great detail, and what makes them so unforgettable)

• The words I’d like to live by are…

• I couldn’t imagine life without…

• When I’m in pain — physical or emotional — the kindest thing I can do for myself is…

• Make a list of the people in your life who genuinely support you, and whom you can genuinely trust. (Then make time to hang out with them.)

Regardless of the shape your journal takes, keeping a record of your thoughts helps you track important experiences in your life—something that will come in handy when you’re writing that personal essay.

2. It’s good to write. Period.

The more you write the better your writing will be.

And any kind of writing counts! Emails, journal entries, long Instagram captions—any writing that helps you tap into your voice and your experiences will prepare you for your college essays.

You’ll get in the habit of including details, crafting narrative arcs, and structuring your sentences with care. We all need junky first drafts, and the more you write, the more first drafts you’ll have that can be edited into something great.

3. Good personal writing includes interesting details.

Good personal writing, whether you’re writing a social media post or scholarship essay, includes interesting details. Specifics add color and context to a story. Telling your reader you were shy, for example, is fine. But opening your essay with this paragraph is more interesting:

The clock was remarkably slow as I sat, legs tightly crossed, squirming at my desk. “Just raise your hand,” my mind pleaded, “ask.” But despite my urgent need to visit the restroom, I remained seated, begging time to move faster. You see, I was that type of kid to eat French Fries dry because I couldn’t confront the McDonalds cashier for some Heinz packets. I was also the type to sit crying in front of school instead of asking the office if it could check on my late ride. Essentially, I chose to struggle through a problem if the solution involved speaking out against it. For the rest of this essay, click here.

Telling your readers that you took a trip to an unfamiliar place is fine. But this paragraph is better:

Day 1: “Labbayka Allāhumma Labbayk. Labbayk Lā Sharīka Laka Labbayk,” we chant, sweat dripping onto the wispy sand in brutal Arabian heat, as millions of us prepare to march from the rocky desert hills of Mount Arafat to the cool, flat valleys of Muzdalifa. As we make our way into the Haram, my heart shakes. Tears rolling down my cheeks, we circumvent the Ka’ba one last time before embarking on Hajj, the compulsory pilgrimage of Islam. It became the spiritual, visceral, and linguistic journey of a lifetime. For the rest of this essay, click here.  

4. Be vulnerable.

Writing about yourself doesn’t need to reopen emotional wounds. If you’re wondering what to write your personal essay about, the answer isn’t necessarily “That thing I go to therapy for.”

That being said, being vulnerable in your writing is one of the best ways to showcase your accomplishments without being annoying or braggy. Share your own personal before and after—the challenges you overcame in order to accomplish something, the self-doubt you worked through to become good.

When you’re writing about yourself, contextualize it by providing a backstory. How many hours did you practice that trumpet solo before you auditioned? How many times did you run that lab test before you got the results you wanted? How many times did you try out for the varsity soccer team before you made it?

And good personal writing doesn’t always end with a traditional win. Maybe you never made the varsity soccer team, but you learned a lot about yourself when you tried out. Perhaps the results of your lab tests didn’t turn out the way you expected, but you discovered something important in the process. Show us the work that went into the person you are now.

Learning how to write about yourself doesn’t have to feel awkward or uncomfortable. Promise! Use these personal writing tips to practice being reflective before you start your college essays. Practice may not make perfect, but it will definitely make it easier for you to showcase yourself to colleges down the line.