Experiences with Early College at MC?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone’s kid done the early college at MC where they get an associate’s degree at the same time as an MCPS high school diploma? My 10th grader is thinking about applying and I’m looking for some stories to add to the details on the web pages.

[Anonymous]

My housekeeper's son did it, then transferred to a 4 year and graduated with a computer science degree at age 19. Seems perfect for a motivated kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My housekeeper's son did it, then transferred to a 4 year and graduated with a computer science degree at age 19. Seems perfect for a motivated kid.

caveat this was all pre-covid

[Anonymous]

OP - My niece and nephew went through the program. Both went onto UMCP and now are each respectively in graduate school in in-demand fields.

The snobby subtext the PP either espouses or alludes to is it’s widely looked down upon by wealthier schools as a program for poor kids. This isn't true - my brother and SIL are well off -but MoCo folks like to keep people who deviate from the academic norm in check if they aren’t at a W school. That stigma keeps kids out of the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone’s kid done the early college at MC where they get an associate’s degree at the same time as an MCPS high school diploma? My 10th grader is thinking about applying and I’m looking for some stories to add to the details on the web pages.

How is this program different from dual enrollment?

[Anonymous]

Works best for kids going to State schools. My child's school would not accept credit for classes that counted towards HS graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone’s kid done the early college at MC where they get an associate’s degree at the same time as an MCPS high school diploma? My 10th grader is thinking about applying and I’m looking for some stories to add to the details on the web pages.

How is this program different from dual enrollment?

Or taking AP classes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone’s kid done the early college at MC where they get an associate’s degree at the same time as an MCPS high school diploma? My 10th grader is thinking about applying and I’m looking for some stories to add to the details on the web pages.

How is this program different from dual enrollment?

Or taking AP classes?

Kids graduate high school with an AA degree. That degree can translate to joining some schools as a sophomore / junior in college after transfer. Montgomery College, which is where kids study toward the AA, has a variety of transfer agreements with colleges and universities to ensure that credits align, are accepted, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone’s kid done the early college at MC where they get an associate’s degree at the same time as an MCPS high school diploma? My 10th grader is thinking about applying and I’m looking for some stories to add to the details on the web pages.

How is this program different from dual enrollment?

Or taking AP classes?

Kids graduate high school with an AA degree. That degree can translate to joining some schools as a sophomore / junior in college after transfer. Montgomery College, which is where kids study toward the AA, has a variety of transfer agreements with colleges and universities to ensure that credits align, are accepted, etc

That seems nice and money/time saving for many credits can be transferred, and can be a sophomore/junior in college after high school graduation, but isn't it the kid would also miss the freshman/sophomore precious year experience (living, hanging with friends, playing or activities etc) in the new 4 year college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My housekeeper's son did it, then transferred to a 4 year and graduated with a computer science degree at age 19. Seems perfect for a motivated kid.

caveat this was all pre-covid

One of my DC is in the program and it is still great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone’s kid done the early college at MC where they get an associate’s degree at the same time as an MCPS high school diploma? My 10th grader is thinking about applying and I’m looking for some stories to add to the details on the web pages.

How is this program different from dual enrollment?

Or taking AP classes?

Kids graduate high school with an AA degree. That degree can translate to joining some schools as a sophomore / junior in college after transfer. Montgomery College, which is where kids study toward the AA, has a variety of transfer agreements with colleges and universities to ensure that credits align, are accepted, etc

That seems nice and money/time saving for many credits can be transferred, and can be a sophomore/junior in college after high school graduation, but isn't it the kid would also miss the freshman/sophomore precious year experience (living, hanging with friends, playing or activities etc) in the new 4 year college?

No, because you can still apply as a freshman if that is what you want and live in the dorms. There’s more than one way to apply and still transfer credits. Lots of freshmen transfer in dual enrollment or APs these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - My niece and nephew went through the program. Both went onto UMCP and now are each respectively in graduate school in in-demand fields.

The snobby subtext the PP either espouses or alludes to is it’s widely looked down upon by wealthier schools as a program for poor kids. This isn't true - my brother and SIL are well off -but MoCo folks like to keep people who deviate from the academic norm in check if they aren’t at a W school. That stigma keeps kids out of the program.

I agree with the snobbery. But you just have to ignore the haters. Especially the ones who brag their kid is on APEX at WJ. Do MC2 if it is what is best for your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone’s kid done the early college at MC where they get an associate’s degree at the same time as an MCPS high school diploma? My 10th grader is thinking about applying and I’m looking for some stories to add to the details on the web pages.

Wait do you mean Early College or Middle College (MC2)?

The former you can apply at any time, but won’t earn an AA degree in HS.

For Middle College (MC2), it is too late for a current 10th grader to apply. Students take their first MC classes in 10th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone’s kid done the early college at MC where they get an associate’s degree at the same time as an MCPS high school diploma? My 10th grader is thinking about applying and I’m looking for some stories to add to the details on the web pages.

Wait do you mean Early College or Middle College (MC2)?

The former you can apply at any time, but won’t earn an AA degree in HS.

For Middle College (MC2), it is too late for a current 10th grader to apply. Students take their first MC classes in 10th grade.

Dual Enrollment - some classes at MC, some at high school.
Middle College - structured program at Northwood and Northwest with some classes taken at the high school and some at MC.
Early College - apply 10th grade to a specific program, complete 11th and 12th grade on MC campus entirely and finish both HS diploma and AA degree.

My DC is in early college this year as an 11th grader. Likes the structure better 4 classes instead of 7, more content focused, shorter school day. Their program is small - 16 kids in a cohort. Wasn’t super engaged with the “HS experience” (still has close friends and activities, just not that attached to being in the HS.) An AA degree (or even just college credit) is more transferable than AP credits.

The Early College partnership is relatively new - about 5 years or so. It’s an excellent way to save $ for dedicated students or provide a better fit program for those who are ready for it. Students can either finish a degree early at a 4 yr college, or have flexibility to double major or get a a master’s in 4 yrs.

[Anonymous]

My colleagues daughter did a similar program in PG County. She did graduate with an AA but ended up majoring in an unrelated field (and not at UMD) and did not use many of the credits. They knew this was likely going in. She did it for the challenge and peer group. No regrets.