Should you add community college to applications?

If you've taken community college classes while in high school, do you need to include those on your college applications? I'm unsure if it's necessary or beneficial to add them, and how it might impact my application.

Yes, you should definitely include any community college classes you've taken on your college applications. There are a few reasons for this:

Firstly, these classes show academic rigor. They indicate that you sought out learning opportunities beyond your high school classes, which is a positive sign of your dedication to your studies.

Secondly, college-level classes taken at a community college usually transfer as college credits. This means they can be a significant boon for your college education, potentially saving you time and money.

Finally, some schools require you to report all post-high school coursework, so make sure to be thorough and honest as you fill out your applications. Not including this information could result in a misrepresentation of your academic record.

You typically list these on the coursework section of the application, and also need to send an official transcript from the community college directly to the universities you apply to (some schools allow for self-reported transcripts initially).

Remember that grades from these courses may also factor into your GPA, depending on your school's policy. For example, some high schools may include your grades in these classes in your reported GPA while others may not. However, note that colleges might recalculate your GPA based on their own criteria during the admissions process.

So yes, including your community college classes can provide several benefits when applying to colleges. Just keep in mind that these courses should align with the rest of your academic profile and make sense in the context of your overall goals.