As you begin planning your transition from high school to college, there are so many options and decisions that arise—most of which are relegated to after you receive your high school diploma. There is an option for ambitious high school students who are eager to jump-start their college education. If that sounds like you, you may want to consider high school dual enrollment, which can expedite your college education, save you money, and boost your independence.
Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of dual enrollment programs:
Dual enrollment programs allow high school students—usually juniors and seniors—to enroll in college courses and earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. Each college’s dual enrollment program has its own nuances, but dual enrollment programs typically result from partnerships between local high schools and community colleges. Dual enrollment can help students seamlessly transition to more advanced coursework and independent study.
As a grade-conscious student, one of your first concerns may be, “How will taking college courses impact my GPA?” The answer is that it depends on whether your high school uses weighted or unweighted GPAs.
For high schools that use weighted GPAs, yes, your grades from your dual enrollment courses could affect your high school GPA. A weighted GPA considers a course’s level of difficulty and may assign a higher value to more challenging classes.
If your school uses an unweighted GPA, which means your grade from every class is weighted equally, then your dual enrollment classes won’t impact your GPA any more than a typical high school course.
While some states may cover the costs, dual enrollment programs often require participants to pay per credit. Many community colleges, including Northampton Community College (NCC), offer significantly reduced per-credit tuition rates for dual enrollment students, which help to make these educational opportunities more affordable and accessible. Dual enrollment students have the option to apply for scholarships to further reduce the cost of their coursework.
Learn more about Northampton’s dual enrollment tuition rates.
If you are interested in enrolling in college-level classes, your first step should be to schedule a meeting with your high school counselor to discuss your dual enrollment options. They can explain how it works, guide you through the application process, and connect you to staff at the college you wish to attend.
Before the meeting, we recommend that you research the program to which you want to apply to have some background information on how the process works. It’s also helpful to make a list of all your questions and to sketch out some future career ideas and the dual enrollment classes you’d like to take. Having this information on hand ensures you have a productive meeting and demonstrates a higher level of preparedness that is necessary when stepping into the college arena.
Next, it’s beneficial to see if the community college that you’re considering has any upcoming information sessions about their dual enrollment program. Whether you attend in person or online, an info session is a great opportunity to engage with the school and continue learning more about this educational option, such as the transfer credit process, scholarship opportunities, how to register for classes, and more. During this session, you can also connect with staff members and even future classmates, which can make the transition from high school to college run more smoothly.
Interested in attending Northampton Community College? We invite you to attend one of our upcoming virtual dual enrollment informational sessions to learn more about how we can support you in achieving your goals.
You should hear back from the school within a few weeks after you’ve submitted all the required materials. Be sure to regularly check your email for your admissions decision so you can take the necessary next steps.
For more information about required materials, review NCC’s dual enrollment steps here
After you’ve received admission into your dual enrollment program, your college will most likely require you to attend a new student orientation to introduce you to the basic processes and technology you need to be successful as a college student. The orientation may be on campus or virtual, but in both formats, they’ll cover essential topics, such as your student accounts, academic advising, taking placement exams, the enrollment process, and more.
NCC’s virtual orientation equips you with all you need to thrive as a Spartan without requiring a large time commitment. You’ll learn how to log into your Student Workday account, access your NCC email, connect with your academic advisor to choose classes, and more.
Finally, you’re ready to enroll in your college courses! To help you decide which classes are right for you, schedule a meeting with an academic advisor at your college. They can evaluate your transcripts, discuss your degree plans, and guide you through choosing the classes that support your interests and goals.
Below, we’ve highlighted a few reasons why enrolling in a dual enrollment program may be beneficial to you and your academic and professional goals.
Participating in a dual enrollment program provides an exciting opportunity to dive into college-level coursework as you progress through high school. In these classes, you encounter more advanced subject matter and assignments, independent study options, and the chance to collaborate with other students and receive faculty mentorship.
At NCC, we offer hundreds of classes with great transfer potential, allowing you to explore your personal and professional interests. Our courses take a career-focused approach, ensuring you gain the skills and experience necessary to thrive in any field you choose.
Since most colleges allow dual enrollment students to take at least one to two classes each semester, you can get a head start on earning transferable college credits and completing essential general education or prerequisite courses. Earning credits early can help you complete your college degree faster or have more flexibility in your school schedule so you can pursue a double major, a minor, or tackle a career-boosting internship.
As a dual enrollment student, you typically have access to discounted tuition rates, allowing you to pursue higher education at a smaller cost than regular tuition for a fully matriculated college student. This saves you money later on in your education.
NCC proudly offers reduced tuition rates for dual enrollment students, as well as generous scholarship opportunities for eligible students to increase access to quality college education. Review our dual enrollment tuition information.
Immersing yourself in a new environment like a college campus may be intimidating at first, but it can also serve as an empowering experience. With each dual enrollment course, you build your confidence in yourself and your ability to step outside your comfort zone, tackle academic challenges, and form new friendships. You also get an early start on developing essential skills like time management, adaptability, interpersonal communication, and more, which support your educational, professional, and personal success.
Northampton Community College champions your success. Our Dual Enrollment program empowers you and other ambitious high school students to take college courses taught by our renowned faculty and start earning transferable college credits, getting you one step closer to your degree.
Looking for more information about how our dual enrollment program works? Explore our Dual Enrollment FAQ page to receive more guidance on how to enroll for classes, where to send your AP test results (if applicable), and more.
Take the next step toward becoming a Spartan — apply to NCC today!
Northampton Community College
3835 Green Pond Road
Bethlehem PA 18020
610.861.5300
