Get an early start on college while still in high school.
I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage, “Early to bed, early to rise.” The same can be said for early college enrollment. A recent study by the American Institutes for Research shows that high school students who take college courses early are more likely to graduate high school and attend college than their counterparts.
Suffolk County Community College offers a variety of options to high school students who are interested in earning college credit before they graduate. Not only can taking classes while still in high school contribute to a student’s success, it can also save the student time and money in the long run — something both students and parents can agree on.
Let’s explore some of the ways Suffolk can help local high school students “rise” to success.
The Early College Program
The Early College Program (ECP) at Suffolk provides an opportunity for academically talented high school juniors and seniors who attend ECP partner high schools to begin earning college credit on a Suffolk campus, integrated into classes with college students taught by college professors, while still enrolled in high school.
Suffolk’s program is rigorous, yet supportive — a perfect combination for individuals who are driven to achieve academic success and who desire to engage in studies that expand upon high school offerings. Participants earn college credit in a variety of liberal arts and science courses related to their intended major. Students also have the option to take a sequence of courses within a particular curriculum of interest. Advising and program coordination are provided by the staff of the Early College Program, ensuring that the students receive personalized guidance and attention.
The Excelsior Program
Happy students in their high school class
Suffolk’s Excelsior Program is a concurrent enrollment program that allows high school juniors and seniors to get a jump-start on earning college credits by taking Suffolk County Community College courses at their high schools during regular school hours.
“College credits successfully earned through the Excelsior Program can be used toward a degree at Suffolk or transferred to most colleges around the country. Students enjoy greater flexibility in college by shortening the time to complete a college degree, or taking a lighter course load — affording more time for internships, dual majors/minors, study abroad, etc.,” says Professor Deborah S. Wolfson, Excelsior Program Liaison at Suffolk County Community College.
Participating high schools have student enrollment applications containing all of the information necessary to take advantage of this opportunity. The program is explained and enrollment is completed in each of the classes being offered through the Excelsior Program. Interested students should contact their high school administration to see what courses are being offered in their school district.
Even More Options
Through Suffolk’s Early College or Excelsior Program, students can earn credits, save time and money, and access important resources to give them a competitive edge.
“In addition to these programs, high school students are always welcome to take college courses on campus at Suffolk as a non-matriculated student at the part-time student tuition rate,” says Paul Beaudin, Ph.D., Dean of Instruction, Suffolk County Community College.
For more information about getting a jump-start at Suffolk, simply call 631-451-4111 or visit sunysuffolk.edu/Enroll.
– Mary M. Feder
