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College Prep Programs
In addition to weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the Minimum and Rigorous Core programs, students who want to get a jumpstart on college should consider these other options:
- Dual Credit/Running Start — This program allows high school students to receive both high school and college credit for the same course. Interested students should contact their individual schools to see if they participate in the program, and if so, find out about the details of the program.
- Early Admission to College — This program allows students, prior to their high school graduation, to be admitted to and register for college-level courses if they are academically prepared. Students should contact the colleges in which they are interested to determine their requirements for Early Admission.
- Tech Prep — This federally funded program allows students to begin earning college credit toward technical or associate degrees while still in high school. Interested students should contact their individual schools to see if they participate in the program, and if so, what the procedures are to enroll.
- Advanced Placement Tests (AP) — AP testing allows students to earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation’s colleges and universities, not to mention demonstrate their ambition to learn. For more information on this opportunity, visit www.collegeboard.com.
- College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) — This program allows students of any age to demonstrate college-level achievement and earn college credit by completing exams in undergraduate college courses. For more information on this opportunity, visit www.collegeboard.com.
- Job Shadow — This program allows high school students to spend time observing people working in the career area in which they are interested. This type of firsthand information goes a long way to helping students decide whether a job in that field is right for them. For more information about this program, contact Jobs for Montana Graduates at (406) 444-0978, or visit the Jobs for Montana Graduates Web site at http://wsd.dli.mt.gov/jmg/jmg.asp.