Spending less time in college will enable you to significantly reduce your cost of college.
Take AP Classes in High School
Taking AP classes in high, and then scoring well on the AP exams, will give you college credits. AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. Many colleges accept a score of 4 or 5 as sufficient for credit in that subject area. In some cases, even a 3 is accepted for college credit. High AP exam scores will also show that you are ready for college-level coursework and greatly enhance your application.
While most colleges accept AP credits, there’s definitely a difference in how strict the requirements are. About 58% of public colleges give credit for a score of 3, while 33% of private colleges accept this score. The more selective the institution, the more likely they are to require higher AP scores for college credit. For example, highly selective Northwestern University accepts a 4 or 5 for credit in all classes except AP chemistry. AP chemistry is generally considered the most difficult AP exam, and the school will accept a 3 in that course.
Take College Classes at Community College while in High School
If you live in a town with a nearby community college, inquire about a part-time enrollment while also taking your regular high school classes. Some public high schools have partnerships with local community or state colleges. You can gain college experience by taking some college courses to supplement your high school course load. This not only enables you to earn college credits, but familiarizes you with a college atmosphere prior to enrollment.
If you can shorten your college experience by even one semester, that could easily translate into $20,000+ in tuition, room and board savings. In addition, it shows prospective employers that you are highly organized and motivated. Great skills for any new job.
