Dual enrollment, or concurrent enrollment, is when high school students enroll in either online or in-person college-level courses. Dual enrollment makes the transition from high school to college smoother and less stressful for students who already have an idea of what classes are likely to be. Additionally, this enables students to earn college credit before graduation.

Senior Natalie Pamboukian began dual enrollment during her junior year of high school. “I wanted to do dual enrollment to get ahead in the courses I would have to take during university for my major,” Pamboukian said.

Senior Danny Borroto started dual enrollment in his senior year for a similar reason. “I saw an opportunity to take a class related to my intended major to learn more about it and have a head start,” Borroto said. If students know in high school what field they want to explore after high school, dual enrollment gives perspective on the rigor, and the experience, and provides an idea of what it would be like if pursued.

For some students, dual enrollment may seem hard to balance with high school, extracurriculars, and homework. However, both Pamboukian and Borroto find the courses “pretty similar to AP courses.” Pamboukian said she has to rely “way more on textbook readings” and Borroto said he has “classes with a lot of notes and assignments due almost every week.” Despite this, Pamboukian said that “101 classes tend to be easier” for those who don’t want to take rigorous college courses during high school. Additionally, the teachers are very understanding and Borroto said you can “even forget you are taking college classes at an actual college. Additionally, support and community build new connections, and it’s a great way “to expand your social circle and is helpful for future networking,” as Pamboukian said.

Another concern for students deciding whether or not to start dual enrollment is the registration process. Some students wonder about the requirements or prerequisites, the difficulty, or acceptance. However, Pamboukian said that the process is “relatively easy for anyone who wants to do it.” Borroto said that Mrs. Freedman, the dual enrollment specialist, did “most of the heavy lifting,” and all he had to do was provide the requested classes and talk to his counselor to adjust schedule timing. 

Students who are thinking about dual enrollment can talk to their counselor and see course options related to their wanted major, and their counselor can show what’s available based on the student’s previously taken courses. As well as selecting courses, students also have the freedom to choose online versus in-person and what days classes are through their abbreviated schedule. “I have more time to do homework from RM and stay on track,” Borroto said. “I get out of school way earlier and have the rest of the day to work on high school classes, attend MC, and complete work for MC,” Pamboukian said as well.