Earning Elective College Credits - Any Tips?

I'm trying to get ahead with my college prep and I've heard that earning elective college credits while still in high school is a thing. What’s the easiest way to go about this? Does anyone have any recommendations on types of programs or classes I should look into?

There are several ways to earn elective college credits while still in high school. Here are a few options:

1. Dual Enrollment: Some high schools offer dual enrollment programs where you can take classes at a nearby college, often community colleges, while still in high school. The credits earned can be counted towards both your high school and possible college credit. Some of these classes may count as electives when you head to college. Make sure to verify with your prospective colleges if they accept these credits.

2. Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: AP classes are college-level courses offered in high school. If you score high enough on the exam (usually a 4 or 5), many colleges give you credit for introductory college-level classes. Some colleges might restrict how these credits can count and limit the number they will accept, however.

3. CLEP Exams: The College-Level Examination Program, or CLEP, allows students to earn college credit by passing an exam in one of 34 subject areas, from foreign languages to business to social sciences. Similar to AP, not all colleges accept CLEP credits, so check your prospective college's policies.

4. Online Courses: Some online platforms offer college-level courses (often called MOOCs — Massive Open Online Courses), often for free, where you can earn a certificate of completion. Be aware, college credit for these is less common and not all colleges accept MOOCs for college credit.

For program selection, consider subjects you're passionate about or that align with your intended college major. If you're unsure, general education requirements like English, Math or Sciences are good bets because most colleges require them. Always double-check credit transfer policies with colleges you're interested in to ensure your efforts will count towards your degree.