SophiaReinhardt

With the beginning of the school year starting, students are given the opportunity to sign up for dual enrollment classes or take the Advanced Placement (AP) test. 

Dual enrollment and AP classes give students the opportunity to gain college credit while still in high school.

To some, this is a great opportunity to get college credit and get a head start on their future; to others this is a stressful time and they can’t get behind the idea of taking a long test.

Students at Marian currently have the chance to dual enroll through University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) or Metro Community College. The credits apply to these colleges as well as some colleges throughout the United States.

The positives about dual enrollment are that you do not have to complete extra class work to get the credits. Students must have a C or higher to get credit in most cases. However, a student can only get so many credits per class. 

On the other hand, students also have the opportunity to take the AP test if dual enrollment is not offered for their class. To some students, any opportunity to earn college credit is worth it; to others, the idea of a 3-hour test is nerve-wracking and unappealing. 

Mrs. Jen Christen, assistant principal, gives more insight on both AP classes and dual enrollment. 

Some classes offer both dual enrollment and the AP test while some only offer the AP test. This is because “it’s required a teacher have a master’s degree in that area of study,” Christen said. “AP classes at Marian require attendance and study at an AP Institute.” 

No matter what the class is, a set syllabus by the college or by CollegeBoard must be followed in order to teach the class.

“Dual enrollment numbers are higher right now since Metro offers free courses,” Christen said. “Our goal is for each senior to graduate from Marian with some college credits,” she said.  

Christen strongly believes that dual enrollment or AP is a great idea for students. “This benefits our students for their future studies with college credits and the opportunity to take advanced, highest-level coursework,” Christen said.

Dr. Renee McGill, English teacher, said that she thinks that the AP test can be a “positive experience for students that teaches them about how to handle a 3-hour exam and teaches them valuable skills like time management, staying focused, calm and confident throughout the exam period.” 

People often get really worked up or worry about how a college will react if they do not score a four or five. “Making it through the exam is an accomplishment, whether you get a two or a five,” McGill said. It’s important for students to feel some sense of pride for the work they have done. 

Plus, if you don’t feel great about your score, “you are in control of your scores, and you don’t have to send it into the school,” McGill said. In fact, it’s recommended to only send scores of three or higher.

Dual enrollment through NWU has a price of $95 per credit hour, which most can verify is a great deal for college credit. For enrolled undergraduates at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the cost for a credit hour is $268; at Creighton University the cost is $1,408 per credit hour. Dual enrollment through Marian is much more affordable for these schools. The AP test has a price of $98 per test. 

According to a Network survey, 34.3% of students who responded, intend to take one or more dual credit courses, and 32.3% of students intend on taking one or more AP tests.

The AP tests will be held in May on various scheduled dates. “It’s a great experience for college and college level exams,” McGill said. What’s unique about the AP test is that a student does not have to be enrolled in an AP class to be able to take the test. 

If you are interested in taking an AP test or dual enrolling, reach out to a teacher or counselor for more information. It isn’t one or the other, it can be both.