Pros and Cons of Dual Enrollment for Homeschool Students

Dual Enrollment: Do’s, Don’ts and Deadlines

By Kendall Watkins, DIY Scholars Consulting

Georgia offers ninth through twelfth grade students the opportunity to earn (almost) FREE college credit, while simultaneously earning high school credit, through its Move On When Ready (MOWR) program, commonly referred to as dual enrollment.  You may hear it referred to as the new MOWR program because the state consolidated and revamped its former Accel and MOWR programs in 2015.  If you have determined that dual enrollment is a good fit for your student, your next step is to explore available options.  

Consider the following do’s and don’ts while researching options, and take note of the deadlines for nearby programs:

Do’s

Educate yourself. Learn about the MOWR program directly from the source, the Georgia Department of Education. You may read a summary here. Next, read all MOWR information provided by the college your student plans to attend. Pay particular attention to admission requirements and deadlines.

Know eligibility requirements. Know what it takes to enroll as a dual enrollment student. Although MOWR is available to all high school students, each dual enrollment program is permitted to establish its own eligibility requirements. Eligibility may be based on age, grade, GPA, and/or standardized test scores.  

Evaluate. Consider your student’s reason(s) for pursuing dual enrollment.  Your answer(s) will dictate what questions to ask. For example, if transferability of credits is important to your student, you need to inquire whether the college(s) to which she intends to apply will accept her credits.  

Ask questions. Raise questions particular to your student’s situation. This cannot be overstated. Your motivation for pursuing dual enrollment will help determine your questions. If transferability is your goal, work backwards.  Start with the college your student hopes to attend. (If your student is unsure where he plans to apply, choose three to five colleges to which he may apply.) Peruse the college website to review its policies on transferability of college credit. Sample questions to consider:

  • Do transferred credits count toward required graduation hours?
  • Are credits earned in online classes transferable?

Always follow up with a college representative when answers to your questions are not provided on the website.  

Be strategic. Make the best use, for your student, of the MOWR program. Students earn dual enrollment credits for various reasons. Whatever your reason(s), plan accordingly. For example, if your student’s goal is to complete her freshman year of general courses while still in high school, she needs to know what classes are required and whether her dual enrollment classes will satisfy those requirements. Another common goal for dual enrollment students is to complete all college math requirements while in high school. If this is your student’s goal, find out what is required and whether your student’s dual enrollment classes will satisfy those requirements.   

Keep excellent records. Be prepared for the application process by having your student’s academic record readily available. The following documents are commonly required, colleges may require others.

  • high school transcript (your homeschool transcript is fine)
  • course descriptions and textbook/program used for each high school course
  • transcripts from hybrid programs your student has completed (as backup documentation for your transcript)
  • ACT/SAT scores
  • list of extracurricular activities, reading list, etc.
  • immunization records
  • proof of residence
  • letters of recommendation from non-family members

Don’ts

DON’T rely on hearsay. Educate yourself with the facts. Well-meaning friends and acquaintances may share their dual enrollment experiences with you and in the process provide you with inaccurate, inapplicable, and/or outdated information.  

DON’T wait until the last minute. Start early. Create a timeline for your student.  Be sure to include enough time to obtain the requisite standardized test scores. Give your student margin to retest if needed. Also, consider whether your student will have to obtain letters of recommendation.  

2017-18 Application Deadlines

School Dates Eligibility
Chattahoochee Tech Summer 2017:  March 24, 2017

Fall 2017:  May 19, 2017

Spring 2018:  November 17, 2017

Summer 2018: March 23, 2018

Fall 2018: May 18, 2018

ACT, SAT or Accuplacer
Georgia Highlands Fall: April 1

Spring:  November 1

Summer: March 1

>ACT or SAT, and GPA
Georgia Perimeter Fall:  August 1

Spring:  December 1

Summer:  April 1

ACT or SAT, and GPA
Georgia State Fall:  May 1

Spring:  November 1

Summer:  April 1

ACT or SAT, GPA and Freshman Index
Kennesaw State The deadline for 2017-18 has passed. It was January 13, 2017.  Admittance is only permitted in the fall. ACT or SAT, and GPA
Truett-McConnell Flexible – Call the admissions office for details. None – Call the admissions office for details.

 

If you have any questions about researching dual enrollment options and planning your student’s high school course of study, including standardized testing, you may contact Kendall Watkins of DIY Scholars Consulting at (404) 375 – 5434.

By Mr. D | Jan 23, 2017

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Psalm 127:4

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.