As high school students mull which classes to take next fall, many are hoping to get a leg up in the college admissions race by choosing "dual enrollment" courses — university-level academics offered at their schools that earn them actual college credit.
About 2 million students in the U.S., in 82 percent of high schools, are enrolled in such programs, according to a 2013 report.
The classes are attractive to high schoolers and their parents because they have the potential to help a student skip prerequisites or other college courses — and for some, that might mean saving money on the path toward a college degree.
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Earning a good grade in dual enrollment coursework is also seen as a boost to a college application.
But dual enrollment courses can be less structured than other college-level curricula offered in high school, such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes. Here are five things to consider before enrolling in dual enrollment classes ...
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