Dual Enrollment Can Save You $100,000 and Four Years
Can you skip high school and go straight to college instead?
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Did you know it’s possible to go to college without even earning your high school diploma?
There’s a way to circumvent the need for high school and start taking college courses (for free) starting as early as middle school. And you don’t need to be a 4.0-GPA-wielding, star student to do it, either.
This “life hack” is called dual enrollment.
Imagine starting your college journey while you’re still in high school.
I know it’s possible, because I did it, and I earned two college degrees by 18. It’s not only possible, but also an increasingly popular option among students seeking to fast-track their education and save on college costs.
What is Dual Enrollment?
Dual enrollment allows students (in as early as in 7th grade) to take college-level courses that count towards both high school and college credits.
Many falsely equate skipping high school to “dropping out,” typically envisioning the process of getting a GED — but this is different.
Dual enrollment is an academically rigorous early college pathway. One that leads to a high school diploma and, simultaneously, college credits. All for little to no cost — so you can potentially graduate debt-free! 💸
The Journey to “Skipping” High School
Students engaged in dual enrollment can start their college coursework as early as middle school.
This doesn’t mean they forgo their high school education; instead, they fulfill their high school requirements while also advancing in college.
It’s a strategic blend of two educational paths, leading to a standard high school diploma and a head start in higher education.
So, why am I talking about it?
Because no one else is, and I’m sick of it! I’m not keeping dual enrollment a secret any longer.
It seems advisors, educators, and future employers would rather see students continue shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars ($$$) to get the same education they could have gotten four years earlier for free!
Research suggests that dual enrollment can lead to higher rates of college enrollment, college GPA, credit accumulation, and even higher workforce earnings.
Another interesting insight is popping up, especially for younger Gen Z and Gen Alpha students: they don’t really believe in college.
Much of the younger generation feels they’ve been sold a lie about college. A lie that leads to plenty of student loan debt — and disappointment.
An article from Inside Higher Ed states “A January survey from ECMC Group found 35 percent of students do not believe education after high school is necessary, and 63 percent of teens are open to options other than a four-year degree. However, only 13 percent of students feel fully prepared to choose their path after high school.”
Younger students want to get to work earlier. And they don’t see as much of an ROI on a college degree acquired after high school. This makes sense considering the fact that “35 percent of teens believe their post–high school education should last two years or less”. Yet for a bachelor’s degree earned the traditional way, that time frame is typically impossible to achieve. Many students end up spending 5–6 years on their four-year degree. And jobs are still asking for degrees; a survey from Cengage reports that “nearly two-thirds (62%) of employers still require a degree for entry-level jobs.”
So, why not get a headstart on a degree one, two, three, four, or even five years earlier, without accumulating any debt?
Dual enrollment can shorten the amount of years required to get a degree after high school — or even eliminate the need for post-high school education entirely.
Students can now earn multiple college degrees while in high school.
My dual enrollment story
At 14, I started both high school and college simultaneously through Ohio’s “College Credit Plus” dual enrollment program.
By 18, I reached a double milstone: earning both a Bachelor’s degree and my high school diploma within weeks of each other.
Nearly five years post-graduation from my own dual enrollment path, I’m eager to share the secrets of this “life hack” that can set you on an accelerated, debt-free path to success.
I know that it all starts with education, so I’m on a mission to put out more information into the world sharing the facts + benefits about dual enrollment, along with helpful resources.
Availability of Dual Enrollment
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics reveals that in the 2017–18 school year, 82% of public schools with students enrolled in grades 9–12 offered dual or concurrent enrollment opportunities.
This reflects a growing trend towards embracing this cost-effective educational pathway — and it means there are plenty of opportunities from students in all locations and of all socioeconomic backgrounds to get involved.
Dual enrollment offers a unique opportunity to save time and money while preparing academically for college.
Consider the average cost of college tuition, room, board, and textbooks, versus minimal or no cost for dual enrollment programs. Add to this the potential earnings from entering the workforce earlier, and the financial advantages become even more apparent. By earning college credits early, students can bypass a significant portion of their high school education. It’s a pathway worth considering for students eager to jumpstart their higher education journey.
How to Get Started with Dual Enrollment
If you want advice from someone that’s been there, done that, I’m building skiphighschool.com, an educational hub with a goal to teach you/your child how to skip high school (and go straight to college instead).
Like what you’ve heard and wanna learn more? Have some expertise to add to the conversation? Wanna get involved in the community? Please, feel free to reach out to me — say hi!!
I’m building this dual community for students, parents, educators, and passionate souls that share a similar mission of helping high schoolers succeed in today’s education system, with the most up-to-date tools!
Tell me what else you’d like to see, and I’ll make it happen — I am here to help and to be a resource, advocate, and a source of inspiration. :)))
Other helpful next steps include:
Check your school district’s policies on dual enrollment
- Consult with school counselors to determine eligibility and course options that align with your academic goals.
- Don’t let them turn you away, and don’t let them focus on only the downsides — AP classes aren’t the only option, and they often aren’t the golden opportunity they’re framed as.
- Advocate for you (or your child’s) needs, and don’t be afraid to get a second opinion or talk to someone else if you’re hitting roadblocks. Your education is personal to you and your goals, and a one-size-fits-all approach simply does not yield the best results.
Test out the “Dual enrollment guide” AI chatbot I’m working on
- I recently created a custom GPT (powered by OpenAI) that leverages artificial intelligence to answer questions and provide information about early college options.
- You can inquire about the financial and career benefits of dual enrollment, explore the pros and cons, or ask about which programs may be available in your state.
- It’s a work in progress, but I would love for you to try it and share any feedback on how I can make it even better. P.S. it’s free to use (however it is currently only available for ChatGPT+ subscribers).
If you’re interested in joining the upcoming dual enrollment community, or if you want (free + early) access to upcoming guides & more, be sure to sign up for the Skip High School newsletter that will be launching soon.
I’m on a mission to make dual enrollment more accessible — and most importantly, to help you (or your child) get a headstart on life!
Never stop learning,
🌈 Find me online: adriannalakatos.com, skipcollege.com, & octoview.io
or ✨click here to say hi!✨
P.S. A significant portion of this post was human-generated, with 100% of the thoughts, passion, & excitement coming right from me — Adrianna. ;) I utilized AI, (specifically Chat GPT) to help me write + structure a portion of this post, and to point me in the direction of helpful resources.
As someone that’s been writing about AI + other forms of emerging tech for years now (see the posts below) I enjoy being a guinea pig of all things new + shiny, including those that may one day destroy humanity.
While I have mixed feelings about the future of writing (and thinking) in the age of AI, I think it’s important to disclose use. I’ve been toying with how to best use AI to help me structure my ideas and avoid being too wordy, without replacing human thought with lazy LLMs. Cheers to navigating grey areas!
