Early College Experience

  • WHAT IS THE EARLY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE?
    A dual-enrollment pathway at Pellissippi State for eligible HVA juniors and seniors. Dual enrollment classes count for both college credit and high school credit at the same time. This pathway is an intentional grouping of courses from Pellissippi that is supported by a teacher and counselors at HVA to help students succeed. Students take classes at Pellissippi during the school day, earning credits toward both high school graduation and college.
     
    DO I HAVE TO ENROLL IN THE EARLY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE TO TAKE DUAL ENROLLMENT CLASSES?
    No. All students who meet the qualifications for dual enrollment can remain in their current pathway and take dual-enrollment classes. For example, we have students who take a history and psychology class at Pellissippi, but remain at HVA for their other classes and don't follow the full ECE pathway.
     
    WHEN DO STUDENTS APPLY?
    Students apply during the spring semester of their sophomore year.
     
    HOW MANY COLLEGE CREDITS WILL STUDENTS TAKE?
    Students will earn thirty credit hours at Pellissippi State. The number of credit hours that will transfer to a four-year institution will vary depending on where the student chooses to enroll.
     
    WHAT CLASSES DO YOU TAKE?

    Fall of Junior Year: 

    • COLL 1000, First Year Seminar (1 Credit)
    • ENG 1010, English Composition I (3 credits)

    Spring of Junior Year:

    • HIST 2020, Modern United States History (3 Credits)
    • PSYC 1030, Introduction to Psychology (3 Credits) 

    Fall of Senior Year: 

    • ENG 1020, English Composition II (3 credits) 
    • BIOL 1010, Intro to Biology (4 credits) 
    • MATH 1530, Introductory Statistics (3 credits) or higher level options based on your expected major of study. 

    Spring of Senior Year:

    • THEA 1030 or MUS 1030, Introduction to Theatre or Introduction to Music
    • BIOL 1020, Diversity of Life (4 credits)
    • COMM 2025 or 2045, Fundamentals of Communication or Public Speaking (3 credits)
    Students must: 
    1. Have a 3.25 or higher unweighted cumulative GPA at the end of their sophomore year. 
    2. Have satisfactory conduct and attendance records.
    3. There is a testing requirement for students who have a 3.25 - 3.59 unweighted GPA. If your GPA is 3.6 or higher, the testing requirement is waived. The Pre-ACT will be given to all 10th-grade students in March. 
      • Students whose GPA is between 3.25 - 3.59 will need:
        • 18 on the English ACT/Pre-ACT
        • 19 on the Reading ACT/Pre-ACT
        • 19 on the Math ACT/Pre-ACT
     
    HOW MUCH DOES THE PROGRAM COST?
    Tuition is free. The only cost for students is books and other fees.

    WHAT MAKES THE EARLY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE A BAD FIT FOR STUDENTS?
    ECE is not a good fit for students who:
    • Struggle to turn in work that is complete and on-time.
    • Procrastinate and have to pull their grades up at the end of the semester/year.
    • Are very excited about their pathway at HVA (you forgo your current pathway to make room in your schedule for ECE)
    • Have an interest in receiving an industry certification from your pathway
    • Are passionate and successful in your AP classes (ECE replaces the AP experience).
    • Are on track to apply to highly selective private national universities (i.e. Vanderbilt or Ivy League).

    WHAT MAKES THE EARLY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE A GOOD FIT FOR STUDENTS?
    ECE is a good fit for students who:
    • Are motivated and want to work ahead.
    • Find College Prep classes too easy but are nervous about Advanced Placement.
    • Are not really excited about or committed to his/her pathway.
    • Would like to save money and time in college.
    • Plan to attend a state university or community college.
    HOW DO I GET TO PELLISSIPPI?
    Students must have their own transportation to Pellissippi State. 

    DOES PELLISSIPPI FOLLOW THE SAME ACADEMIC CALENDAR AS HVA?
    For your dual enrollment classes, you will follow Pellissippi's academic calendar, which varies a little from the HVA calendar (there is a longer winter break for example). 

    DO I HAVE TO CHANGE ACADEMIES TO ENROLL IN THE EARLY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE?
    No. Students will remain in the same academy with the same counselor. Sarah Patton, our College and Career Counselor, will support all ECE students. 

    HOW DO I APPLY? 
    Apply here. The deadline to apply is February 28. This application needs to be completed by the student, using your KCS email login. 

    AFTER I COMPLETE THE APPLICATION IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I NEED TO DO?
    Yes. There are several steps.
    1. Attend the dual enrollment interest meeting during parent conferences on February 11 or during study hall on February 13.
    2. Apply to Pellissippi and DE grant on February 13 or 14.
    3. Take the Pre-ACT on March 11.
    4. Register for classes at Pellissippi on April 8 or 9.

    WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR ACCEPTANCE?
    Students will be accepted on a rolling basis. All students will know if they are admitted to the program by April 4. 

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