Graduating high school with an associate's degree: How do colleges view it?

Hey everyone! So I'm considering trying to graduate high school with an associate's degree through dual enrollment. I'm wondering how colleges would view this accomplishment. Do they see it as a positive or just something that doesn't necessarily give me much advantage in the admissions process?

Hello! Graduating high school with an associate's degree through dual enrollment can be seen as a positive by colleges for a few reasons. First, it demonstrates that you're capable of successfully completing college-level coursework, which can be helpful in showcasing your academic abilities and readiness for higher education. Second, it often means that you've been exposed to a diverse range of subjects, which can help you appear as a well-rounded applicant.

However, it's essential to understand that just having an associate's degree won't automatically give you a significant advantage in the admissions process. Colleges still want to see a strong high school academic record, excellent test scores (if applicable), and involvement in extracurricular activities. In other words, while completing an associate's degree in high school can be a sign of your commitment and ability, you still need to focus on other aspects of your application.

One potential downside to keep in mind is that if you've taken mostly dual enrollment courses, your high school curriculum might lack some of the advanced courses that colleges look for, like AP or IB classes. Admissions officers typically appreciate seeing a rigorous curriculum in high school, so you should try to strike a balance between dual enrollment and taking rigorous courses within your high school.

Overall, graduating high school with an associate's degree can be viewed positively by colleges, but it's important to remember that it's only one piece of the puzzle. Continuously work on building a strong and well-rounded application to maximize your chances of being admitted to your top-choice schools. Good luck!