Scheduling Information
-COURSE SELECTION SHEETS-
AND
-COURSE DESCRIPTIONS-
contact your counselor with any questions about selecting
courses for the upcoming school year.
AND
-COURSE DESCRIPTIONS-
contact your counselor with any questions about selecting
courses for the upcoming school year.
Before choosing your classes, take some time to read about dual enrollment and advanced placement opportunities available to you. Students who have taken advantage of DE and AP courses often say they wish they would have taken more --why?? -- because they have great benefits at the college level.
What is Dual Enrollment (DE)?
Dual enrollment is a cost effective way for you to earn college credits for classes you are taking while in high school. For public, in-state universities, undergraduate college credits cost ~ $700+ per credit; the cost is much greater for students who are looking to enroll in private or out-of-state colleges (~$1000). In comparison, the cost per credit while in high school is less than $75.00! Students can take as many credits as their schedule allows; which could mean major savings down the road when you begin college both in money and in time. If a student took a total of 5 dual enrolled classes throughout his/her high school education, he/she would have earned roughly 15 college credits, which amounts to an entire semester of college.
Taking a course as dual enrollment is optional; if students opt to take the course as dual enrollment then they will earn both high school and college credit. Students must apply/pay the college for the credits and maintain a "C" or higher average in the class in order to earn the college credits. These credits typically are transferable to other colleges and universities. Three of the main advantages of DE: 1. Students earn LOW cost college credits. For instance to take a three credit class at Saint Francis University, a SFU student would pay $2,814, for the same credits a BG student would pay $180.00. These credits are often transferable to other colleges and universities as general education credits. 2. Many students are able to enter college at an elevated status. For example, instead of starting college as a freshmen, some students start at sophomore level because they earned enough credits in high school. This could also mean graduating from college earlier. (DE classes are available to Junior and Senior students) 3. Students can take less credits per semester while in college, opening up more time in their college schedule to add a minor, do research, participate in athletics, join extracurricular activities or complete an internship.
Please note that it is advised that you do not take classes for dual enrollment credits if you plan to major in that subject area in college. Dual enrollment courses should be thought of more as a way to meet the general education requirements at your future college of choice. For example: If you are planning on majoring in accounting, we recommend that you take Accounting I and II at BG but you should not take the courses for college credit (dual enrollment). Choosing to take a class for dual enrollment credit happens in the fall, not during scheduling selection.
For more on Dual Enrollment click here
What is Advanced Placement (AP)?
AP Courses follow a national program developed by the collegeboard; the curriculum in these courses is rigorous and the content taught is consistent across the country. Students are taught the course by Bishop Guilfoyle teachers during the regular school day; however, a greater workload is required in these courses compared to a non-AP course. Prior to the start of the school year, students are required to purchase their text book /materials and to have summer reading or projects completed. (The cost of the text book/ materials is approximately ~$100-$200, per class.) Why take them? Colleges like to see that you took AP classes in high school, because it shows you chose to challenge yourself academically in a specific content area. In other words, they know if you did well in the class, you can likely handle college too. Additionally, at the end of the school year you will take the AP exam in the course you took. Once you are accepted into college, you can submit your AP test scores and the college will decide if they will award you college credit for your exam score. Just like DE, this has the potential to save you time and money at the college level