UB Chronicle

The Upward Bound Programs at Morehead State University

March 2025 Volume 4 Issue 7

Pre-College Classes in High School and the Importance of Picking the Right Courses

Introduction

As you progress through high school, the classes you choose can have a significant impact on your future academic and career opportunities. This resource will explore pre-college classes and why selecting the right high school courses is crucial for your educational journey.

What Are Pre-College Classes?

Pre-college classes, also known as college preparatory or advanced courses, are designed to provide high school students with a more rigorous academic experience that closely mirrors college-level work. These classes often include:

1. Advanced Placement (AP) courses

2. International Baccalaureate (IB) programs

3. Dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment courses

4. Honors classes

Examples:

- AP Biology

- IB English Literature

- Dual enrollment College Algebra

- Honors World History

Benefits of Taking Pre-College Classes

1. College Readiness

Pre-college classes help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary for success in higher education. They expose you to college-level material, teaching methods, and expectations.

2. College Admissions Advantage

Colleges often view pre-college classes favorably in the admissions process. These courses demonstrate your ability to handle challenging coursework and your commitment to academic excellence.

3. Potential College Credits

Many pre-college classes, especially AP and dual enrollment courses, offer the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school. This can save time and money in college.

4. Enhanced Study Skills

The rigorous nature of pre-college classes helps you develop strong study habits, time management skills, and critical thinking abilities.

The Importance of Choosing the Right High School Courses

Selecting appropriate high school courses is crucial for several reasons:

1. Meeting College Requirements

Many colleges have specific course requirements for admission. Meeting these pre-college requirements will put you in a strong position for college admissions in Kentucky and beyond. Remember, these are general guidelines - specific colleges may have additional or slightly different requirements. Always check with the admissions offices of the colleges you're interested in for their exact requirements.

English (4 years)
Mathematics (4 years)
Science (3 years)
Social Studies (3 years)
Foreign Language (1-2 years)

Many colleges require or strongly recommend at least two years of the same foreign language.
Example: A student might take Spanish I in 9th grade and Spanish II in 10th grade, with an optional Spanish III in 11th grade.

Additional Considerations

Electives: Colleges also look for well-rounded students. Consider taking electives in areas like art, music, computer science, financial literacy, computer competency, or additional academic subjects.

Advanced Courses: Many high schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. These can strengthen your application and potentially earn you college credit.

GPA: Maintain a strong grade point average throughout high school. Most colleges have minimum GPA requirements for admission.

Standardized Tests: While some colleges are becoming test-optional, many still require or consider SAT or ACT scores in their admissions process and some require it for entrance into certain degree programs (Ex. Teaching or Nursing)

2. Exploring Potential Majors and Careers

Taking a variety of courses helps you discover your interests and strengths, guiding your choice of college major and future career path.

3. Building a Strong Academic Foundation

A well-rounded course selection ensures you have the necessary knowledge base for college-level work across various disciplines.

4. Demonstrating Academic Rigor

Colleges look for students who challenge themselves. A transcript with pre-college classes shows your willingness to push yourself academically.

Strategies for Choosing the Right Courses

Plan Ahead: Map out a four-year plan that meets graduation requirements and includes increasingly challenging courses.
Balance Your Schedule: Mix challenging classes with those in which you excel to maintain a strong GPA.
Consider Your Interests: Choose electives that align with your passions or potential career interests.
Seek Advice: Consult with your guidance counselor, teachers, and parents when making course selections.
Research College Requirements: If you have specific colleges in mind, review their admissions requirements to ensure you're on the right track.

Conclusion

Choosing the right high school courses, including pre-college classes, is a crucial step in preparing for your future. By challenging yourself academically, exploring your interests, and meeting college requirements, you'll be well-positioned for success in higher education and beyond. Remember, the choices you make now can open doors to exciting opportunities in the future!

It is important to check your UB email at least 2-3 per week to ensure you don't miss out on any important information, sign-ups, etc. If you need your password reset, please contact your UB Counselor for assistance.

We're Recruiting!!

The Upward Bound Programs at Morehead State University are currently accepting new student applications.

9th, 10th, or 11th grade students at the following high schools: Bath, Bracken, Boyd, East Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Harrison, Johnson Central, Lawrence, Lewis, Magoffin, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Paul Blazer, Robertson, Rowan, and West Carter High Schools, are eligible to apply.

Students can submit the Online Application through our recruitment site at join.moreheadub.org or students can obtain a paper application by visiting our website or their high school guidance counselor for assistance.

UB/UBMS Eligibility Requirements

Submit the online and/or paper application with required documentation

a. Guidance Recommendation Form

b. Two Teacher Recommendation Forms

c. 2024 Taxable Income Information (IRS 1040) with Signature

Have at least a 2.5 GPA
Be first-generation, meet federal income requirements, and/or academic risk
Be College Bound
Students accepted into Upward Bound Math Science (UBMS) must show a strong interest in obtaining a STEM related college degree.

My name is Trey Napier and I am the new Academic Bridge Coordinator for the Upward Bound Programs. Before I started working with UB/UBMS, I graduated from Morehead State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and I am currently in school at the University of the Cumberland's to get my Masters in School Counseling. I was previously employed with Carter County Schools where I was the Youth Service Center Coordinator at West Carter Middle and West Carter High School. I am super excited for this new adventure and cannot wait to meet all of you!

Helping Your High School Student

Taken from: Butler Community College

Taking college classes as a high school student is a great way to get a jump start on educational goals. As a parent, you play a critical role in your student's success.

It's a college level course. This goes without saying, but your student is now in college. With that comes a great deal of excitement, but also trepidation. Many students love that they are taking classes alongside adults, but many can find this daunting. We find that the best thing a parent or guardian can do is to encourage your child to think of themselves as a college student, with all the responsibility that comes with that role. Gone are the days of mom or dad calling the teacher to intervene on their behalf, now they are in driver seat and must advocate for themselves. We are here to help them succeed in partnership with you, but the expectations are going to change from high school to college.
Encourage self-advocacy. The most beneficial thing a student can learn is the ability to advocate for themselves. College can be confusing, difficult, exciting, fun, and frustrating all at the same time. However, if a professor or director are not aware of an issue the student is having, there is not a good way to intervene or help them. It is important they learn to advocate for themselves, their needs, their challenges, and their confusion from the start. Help teach your child the value of communicating, especially with professors. College faculty and staff cannot share all information with parents due to FERPA. Self-advocacy is critical to student success.
Prepare your student. Often, the difficulties a student faces are not intellectual, but emotional or social. Prepare them for the rigor of the course, but also help them understand and process the emotions that come from being thrown into an adult environment. There will be some excitement from this, but some interactions may be confusing or foreign to them. Remember, for their entire education to this point they have been in classrooms where everyone is their age and going through similar experiences. Now they may be in classes with people of a variety of ages and at different places in life. Helping them understand this will benefit them as a learner. In addition, practical interactions will help them perform in the class. Go over the syllabus with your student, ensuring they (and you) understand what is required in the course, important due dates, and specific policies an instructor might have. The key to success in any college course is attendance and participation, helping your student understand the attendance requirements, where and when the class meets, and any extra requirements will greatly benefit them. Further, if there are questions about policies or requirements, this is a good opportunity for you to help them advocate for themselves in asking the professor.
Time management is critical. College courses often require a great deal more time studying, preparing, and working than a high school course. There are always exceptions to this, but at times many of our high school students are surprised by the rigor and high expectations of college courses compared to their prior educational experiences. Ensuring that your student attends class is the first step, the second is making sure they are managing their time in a way that allows them success in the courses they take. We realize that high school students are busy, often involved in multiple extracurricular activities, working part-time, and other activities. As a parent or guardian you can be instrumental in helping them learn to manage their time to get everything done.
Communication is key. If a student is falling behind in a class, have them communicate with their instructor, as there might be tutoring available. Students can also reach out to the Director of High School Academic Partnerships, their Early College Academy director, or the Director of the Flint Hills for assistance and resources. Remember, if your student is receiving dual credit, the course counts towards their high school graduation.

Needing to contact your UB Counselor?

Ashley Cooper (Associate Director UB Central)

Schools Served: Elliott, Morgan, and Magoffin

Brandon Isaac (Associate Director UBMS North)

Schools Served: Mason, Menifee, and Rowan

Gabby Johnson (Associate Director UBMS South)

Schools Served: Boyd, Paul Blazer, and Robertson

Gabe Markwell (Associate Director UB East)

Schools Served: Bracken, Lawrence, and Johnson

Trey Napier (Academic Bridge Coordinator)

Schools Served: Fleming, Lewis, East Carter, West Carter

Cheyenne Wilson (Academic Coordinator)

Schools Served: Bath, Harrison, Montgomery and Nicholas

Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math & Science are 100% federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education and sponsored by Morehead State University.

Page updated

Report abuse