Pre-College/Youth Programs
Advanced Southern Credit
Questions and Answers
1. What's in it for me?
Both Programs (Advanced Southern Credit and the Early Entry) can help you if you are planning on going to college. Right now, while you are still in high school, you can take classes that can apply to your college degree. Because these programs are available at a greatly reduced tuition rate, you and your family will save money and time as you work toward your undergraduate degree.
2. What is Advanced Southern Credit (ASC)?
ASC is a program in which high school courses are taught at such a level that they can be awarded college academic credit. Qualified instructors whose courses have been approved by the supervising department at Southern Oregon University teach ASC courses on area high school campuses. Generally, these courses are offered each high school semester, and each carries 4 quarter credits.
3. What is the Early Entry Program (EE)?
EE allows high school students to enroll in lower division college courses offered on the Ashland or the Medford SOU campuses. Students may enroll in up to two courses per quarter. Enrollment is on a space available basis. High school counselors must recommend interested students for the program.
4. How do I know if I am ready to take college course work?
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you'll probably do fine in a college class.
- Have you successfully completed one or more challenging classes in high school?
- Have you been recommended for Honors or AP courses in high school?
- Are you a self-motivated and responsible student?
Talk to your parents, your teachers, or your counselor. They'll give you some insight on
whether or not you can handle a college course.
5. Why would I want to take college courses when I'm still in high school?
We've found that high school students enroll in college courses for a variety of reasons.
Some of these reasons are:
- Getting a head start on college courses helped me decide what I wanted to major in.
- I have completed most of their graduation requirements and I want to fill my time with worthwhile course work.
- I can take courses that aren't available at my high school.
- These courses are saving me and my family a lot of money.
- Having college credits on my academic resume looks good on my college applications.
6. How much do I pay for Advanced Southern Credit?
For Fall, Winter, Spring 2007-08 the ASC courses cost twenty-five dollars per credit hour, or $100 dollars per semester per 4-credit course. This is a real savings.
7. How much do I pay for Early Entry courses?
The fall term 2007 Early Entry tuition is fifty dollars per credit hour, or $200 dollars per semester per 4-credit course. Sometimes there are additional tech fees. This rate is considerably less expensive than tuition rates for enrolled full-time students.
8. How do I know the course(s) I am interested in are right for me?
Obviously, you start with your personal level of interest. Some courses have prerequisites. You need to discuss the course with your parents, teacher, or counselor. You should have some understanding of requirements for a degree or for a specific major in order to determine if the course will benefit your future college plans. Extended Campus Programs employs a high school programs coordinator. He is available each term for academic advising.
9. How are the courses different from the high school classes I am used to?
The Advanced Southern Credit classes tend to have broader coverage and to move through course material more rapidly. There is more writing to do. The examinations are more comprehensive. The Early Entry courses are regular college courses. It is very likely that the instructor will not know that you are a high school student. Both programs require students to assume a higher level of responsibility for their learning. This is especially true in the Early Entry program. Very likely, your grade will be determined by a mid term examination and a final examination. There may a major project or written assignment due by the end of the term. There will be no one looking at whether or not you are keeping up with your work.
10. Will I get high school credit for taking these classes?
Generally, ASC classes will be credited at both the high school and the university level. Early Entry classes may be accepted by the high school if the student needs the course to graduate. Check with your high school counselor.
11. Will these credits transfer to any college or university?
In almost all cases, credits taken at accredited universities, like SOU, can be transferred to other colleges or universities. It is possible that some ASC credits may not be accepted by some universities because they were dual credit classes (granting credit at both the university and high school level). Public Universities are more prone to accepting College-High courses than private colleges. We recommend that you check with the admissions office of the university you are interested in attending to determine how credits are accepted.
