Ready Set Go

MYTH:

You have to be a straight A student to take dual credit courses.

REALITY:

Many high schools and colleges do require students to have a minimum standing to participate, but your grades don't have to be perfect. While this may not sound fair, keep in mind that they want you to succeed. If you're having trouble with your regular classes, you may not be ready for ones at the college-level. Check with your school counselor to find out if you are eligible.

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MYTH:

Only college-bound students can really do well in college-level classes.

REALITY:

Actually, studies say the exact opposite. While some students do better than others, it's a proven way to prepare for the rigors of college and career programs.

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MYTH:

Students taking dual credit courses don't have time for anything else.

REALITY:

Dual credit courses can be demanding, especially if you are taking more than one. Many students, however, find a way to balance that work with extracurricular activities, just as they would in college.

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MYTH:

Some of these dual credit programs aren't available at my school, so I'm out of luck.

REALITY:

It's true that not all programs are available at all schools. This can be true for AP, IB, and concurrent enrollment (College in the Schools), but you may have options! Check into the Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program. It allows you to take actual college classes at a college…for FREE! There may also be online AP and IB courses available through your high school.

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MYTH:

I don't want to risk lowering my GPA so I should only take easy classes in high school.

REALITY:

Taking dual credit courses shows that you're willing to take some of the more challenging classes available at your high school. Colleges like to see that, even if you earn a lower grade. Dual credit also prepares you for college-level work. That means you'll have a better idea of what to expect and may do better in college classes once you get there.

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MYTH:

I'm taking the classes I need to graduate from high school and that will be good enough to get me into college, so why bother?

REALITY:

It's up to you to do what you can in high school to be as prepared as possible. Your high school graduation requirements may even differ from what colleges or employers are looking for. Remember that your classes in high school are free! If you don't learn what you need to know for college or a career while you are in high school, then you may have to pay to learn it later on. And consider this: there are a lot of students who are doing more than just covering the basics. You may be competing with these students to get accepted into a college.
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MYTH:

Earning college credit in high school will guarantee that I get into the college I want.

REALITY:

There is no guarantee that a school will accept you or the credits you have earned, but colleges do like to see students challenge themselves. It shows that you're an active learner and willing to take risks.

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MYTH:

I can't afford to earn college credit in high school.

REALITY:

Dual credit courses are free, but there are some costs to be aware of. You may be responsible for a portion or the entire cost of AP or IB exams. You may have travel costs (bus fares, gas for a car, parking fees, etc.) if you participate in PSEO. Ask your high school counselor about fee waivers and find out if you can be reimbursed for transportation costs.

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MYTH:

I will earn college credit just by passing my AP and IB courses.

REALITY:

To get the college credit (or advanced standing), you must take and do well on the course exam. Then you have to submit your scores to the college you want to attend. Each college has their own policies on how they will accept AP and IB scores. They use your scores to decide how many credits you can earn or what courses you could be waived from taking. Check with the college to learn the details.

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MYTH:

If I do poorly on an AP or IB exam, my GPA will go down.

REALITY:

AP and IB exams are separate from your classroom grade. They do not affect your GPA. There is no risk to taking the exam. If you score low, you do not have to share the score with the college. Preparing for and taking these exams are a good way to get practice taking college exams too.

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MYTH:

If I take concurrent enrollment courses (College in the Schools) or PSEO courses, I can transfer that credit to any college I choose.

REALITY:

Most colleges will accept your transcript of college courses from high school, but some may not. Do your research ahead of time. Find out if the colleges that interest you will accept these types of credits.

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MYTH:

AP and IB exams are hard so most students don't bother to take them.

REALITY:

The exams are challenging. They are designed to test your understanding of what you have been learning. Thousands of students in Minnesota take the exams every year and over 60% of them score well enough to earn college credit. If you don't like your score, you don't have to share it with a college.

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