Looking for an easy path to 30 college credits?

I hear a lot about aiming to secure some college credits before actually being in college. I'm ambitious and targeting 30 credits, but I'm not sure how to go about it. What's the most efficient way to accomplish this?

Earning 30 college credits before starting college is a great goal! Here are some potential paths you could consider.

First, check if your high school offers Dual Enrollment programs, where you would take certain classes that are worth both high school and college credit. These classes might be taught by a college professor, and they're usually more rigorous than standard high school classes. Many states cover the cost of tuition or fees for these type of programs, but that's not always the case so it's worth looking into the details.

A second approach is through Advanced Placement (AP) classes if they're available at your school. If you score a 3 or higher on the AP exam, many colleges will reward you with college credit. The credits earned per class vary, but it’s generally 3-4 per passing score. Therefore, if you take and pass about 8-10 AP classes, you could potentially reach your target. However, always double-check the AP score acceptance policies of the colleges you're interested in, as not all of them accept AP credits.

A third option could be community college classes. These are often an economical way to accrue credits before college, though they may have more stringent requirements for enrollment. Plus, you'd have to go through the course-transfer process when you start at your target four-year institution, and not all credits may transfer over.

Finally, there are also college-level examination program (CLEP) exams which are standardized tests offering the opportunity to gain college credit by obtaining a passing score. They're accepted by 2,900 colleges and cover 34 subjects. Each test costs $95 (as of 2024), much cheaper than a semester of a college course.

Remember, different universities have different policies about transferred credits, so be sure to understand how any school where you might plan to attend will handle these. And lastly, it would be wise to balance this goal with your existing high school workload and other commitments, to avoid risk of burnout. Good luck!