Pro:
By Hayden Martay
For students looking to get ahead, the path to success can begin long before graduation. One option is dual enrollment at community colleges, such as the College of Marin (COM), which allows students to take college courses while still in high school. Students can earn credit through COM’s various online and in-person courses in all subjects while experiencing college-level academic rigor.
A benefit of COM classes is earning college credit while in high school. Candace Gulden, the school’s college counselor, compares COM credits to Advanced Placement (AP) credits. Gulden indicates that, unlike AP courses, which require high exam scores, college courses provide transferable credit as long as students pass the course.
Earning college credit early can help students graduate from college on time by meeting requirements sooner. The National Science and Math Institute states that dual enrollment and AP courses enhance the likelihood of earning a bachelor’s degree in four years or less.
Early access to college credit helps minimize long-term education expenses. According to Chippewa Valley Technical College, tuition can exceed $1,000 per credit. The California College Promise Grant waives the $46 per-unit enrollment fee at California community colleges. By taking free classes at COM while in high school, students can reduce the number of credits they’ll need to pay for later in their education, saving thousands of dollars in tuition.
Another advantage of enrolling in COM classes is early exposure to college-level rigor, helping students build the skills needed to handle future academic challenges. The American College Testing website highlights that dual enrollment prepares students for college work, making the transition from high school to higher education smoother.
COM courses allow students to explore subjects beyond the standard high school curriculum. Exploring different fields through various courses can help students make informed decisions about their future careers and interests. Dr. Brian Collisson, an associate professor of psychology at Azusa Pacific University, further discusses how taking a variety of classes allows students to identify their passion and career calling. Students should follow their interests through classes that offer hands-on experience, broaden perspectives and build valuable skills.
Some parents, students and studies argue that dual enrollment can pressure students and lead to anxiety and burnout. However, it is a personal choice, and each student must assess their ability to manage the workload that comes with a college-level course. COM’s Jumpstart College Credit Program ensures that students take the proper steps to enroll in courses with support. The program requires parental consent, principal approval and counselor input to develop a plan that ensures students can handle their workload.
Despite the benefits, many students overlook dual enrollment opportunities. However, these classes help students get a head start on earning college credit, reduce future education costs, provide opportunities to explore potential careers, ease future course loads and offer early exposure to college-level academics before graduation. Students can visit the College and Career Center in room 111 for guidance and help with course registration.
Anti:
By Asha Zlatoper
Community college classes offer college-level (dual enrollment) courses for high school students, allowing them to earn credits before graduating. While these classes can be beneficial, they often negatively affect overachieving students. Dual enrollment courses should not be available to students who take them solely to boost their transcript, as they increase stress, distract from the high school experience and are frequently ineffective because students enter them unprepared. These issues are evident when high schoolers take courses at institutions such as the College of Marin (COM).
A survey by COM’s Research and Student Analytics Department found that, out of 3,000 dual-enrolled high school students, 41 percent identified their dual enrollment course load as their primary source of stress. High schoolers already juggle various responsibilities, and these classes are ranked as the most stressful aspect of it all. This highlights the intense pressure these courses add, making students feel unnecessarily overburdened.
Additionally, these courses take time away from students’ high school lives. Balancing dual enrollment means sacrificing free time and missing out on key high school experiences like being involved in clubs or possibly sports and other activities. According to BestColleges, dual-enrollment participants tend to have less time for extracurriculars, causing them to miss out on the more enjoyable side of school. With limited free time, students lose valuable moments with family and friends, which are crucial for mental well-being. The brain needs social interaction to function and develop in a healthy way. A lack of social interaction can lead to loneliness and emotional distress, which can challenge students’ success in advanced classes if they are too overwhelmed with outside problems. Taking on these classes often leaves students overwhelmed by a relentless workload, which leaves them exhausted.
Moreover, many students lack the preparation needed to succeed in these challenging courses, which ultimately leads to even more stress. According to the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, students who enter dual enrollment courses while unprepared tend to struggle more. When students have not acquired complex academic skills through high school coursework, they will likely have a harder time with the advanced material.
High schools do not always prepare students with the skills required for dual enrollment college-level courses, making the transition to a more advanced environment overwhelming for most students. Without proper support, students can struggle academically, leading to increased anxiety and discouragement.
While some students take dual enrollment classes out of genuine interest, many enroll simply to enhance their transcripts. The pressure to appear competitive for college admissions often forces students to over exhaust themselves. Instead of fostering a love for learning, these classes can reinforce the belief that more coursework equals success — even at the expense of mental and emotional health. This can lead to burnout, leaving students unfulfilled despite their achievements.
Ultimately, high school students should not enroll in college classes just to improve their transcript. Doing so can lead to unnecessary anxiety and diminish the high school experience. Students should challenge themselves in a healthy way — one that promotes growth without overwhelming them. Prioritizing well-being over status is key to a balanced and fulfilling academic journey, ensuring that students find joy in their education while maintaining their overall health.
