Middle College program

[Anonymous]

Anyone's child go through the Middle College program (complete associates degree thru Montgomery College during 11th & 12th grade)? My DC is interested in the program at Northwood HS, but I know it's available at a couple of other high schools in MCPS.

How was it? Was your DC able to finish 4 yr college in 2yrs?

DC is not super motivated or organized right now as an 8th grader, but we've been sent a letter that DC's test scores identify him as someone who would be successful candidate for the program. Saving money is on college is intriguing.

[Anonymous]

I don't have a child who has been through the program but back in the 80s I was able to take courses at MC during my senior year. I don't recall if there was a formal program but my credits did transfer. I didn't earn enough for an assiociates degree though. I was bright but somewhat lazy in HS and really shy. The experience was such a great confidence booster and the idea of taking college classes was very motivating. My DD is in 8th and it's something I would consider for her. The only thing I'm iffy on is how students earn enough credits to graduate MCPS if they miss a large chunk of HS classes. Or do the MC courses count towards both HS and college credits?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone's child go through the Middle College program (complete associates degree thru Montgomery College during 11th & 12th grade)? My DC is interested in the program at Northwood HS, but I know it's available at a couple of other high schools in MCPS.

How was it? Was your DC able to finish 4 yr college in 2yrs?

DC is not super motivated or organized right now as an 8th grader, but we've been sent a letter that DC's test scores identify him as someone who would be successful candidate for the program. Saving money is on college is intriguing.

I'd be very interested to hear experiences, too. It seems like a peculiar program, at the open house the administrators had trouble explaining it one-on-one. The only degree available is an associate in chemistry. So this would only be a leg up in certain fields, bio-medical, maybe? It's very new at Northwood, possibly current seniors are the first eligible class. Wonder if anyone is on track to do it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone's child go through the Middle College program (complete associates degree thru Montgomery College during 11th & 12th grade)? My DC is interested in the program at Northwood HS, but I know it's available at a couple of other high schools in MCPS.

How was it? Was your DC able to finish 4 yr college in 2yrs?

DC is not super motivated or organized right now as an 8th grader, but we've been sent a letter that DC's test scores identify him as someone who would be successful candidate for the program. Saving money is on college is intriguing.

I'd be very interested to hear experiences, too. It seems like a peculiar program, at the open house the administrators had trouble explaining it one-on-one. The only degree available is an associate in chemistry. So this would only be a leg up in certain fields, bio-medical, maybe? It's very new at Northwood, possibly current seniors are the first eligible class. Wonder if anyone is on track to do it?

Adding, FWIW, they said it's being pushed by the state as opposed to the county.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your responses.

[Anonymous]

I would not go for associate degree.
However, if my child will have chance to take courses during school year or during summer at MC (given that you know for sure that courses will transfer to most universities) that would definitely save money in the long run.
APs plus several courses in MC can save you 2 years of tuition easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not go for associate degree.
However, if my child will have chance to take courses during school year or during summer at MC (given that you know for sure that courses will transfer to most universities) that would definitely save money in the long run.
APs plus several courses in MC can save you 2 years of tuition easily.

Mine took APs and got credit for 9 classes (over a year's worth of credit) at a top OOS university.