What is the Early College Program?
Usually, students can only attend university after four years of high school. The Montgomery College (MC) Early College (EC) program halves that time. EC allows high school students to take college classes full-time in their junior and senior years, and then graduate high school with both a high school diploma and an associate degree from MC. Unlike other dual enrollment programs, where students may take just a couple of college classes, EC students take no classes at their high school, instead filling their schedule with MC classes.
How Does It Work?
The EC program at MC currently offers 18-degree options, ranging from STEM fields like general engineering to humanities like behavioral health and even technical degrees like surgical technology. These program offerings vary depending on the campus, but students can find a multitude of degree programs on all three MC campuses: Rockville, Germantown, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring.
Though students are immersed in a college setting, with the ability to participate in all campus events and clubs, most of their classes are cohorted with their fellow degree members. This allows students to form close bonds throughout their time at MC. And, jJust because a student is in the EC program doesn’t mean they can’t participate in high school events! Students are encouraged to stay in touch with their home schools and many still participate in clubs, sports games, and formal dances.
What are the Benefits?
Students can experience elevated course rigor and develop greater responsibility and independence. MC has many resources from learning centers to tutors, ensuring a balanced and supportive environment. Wheaton High School junior and EC Computer Science student Idia Ighile said, “[EC] allows you to meet a lot of like-minded people. There are more resources than in my high school which is really cool.”
If a student already knows what they want to pursue in college, the EC program provides a head start on their academic and career goals. For those still exploring, the program allows them to test out a degree field for two years before committing to a four-year institution. The program is entirely free, with tuition, fees, and textbooks covered, making higher education accessible and significantly reducing the financial burden on families. Graduates often transfer seamlessly to four-year institutions, entering as juniors, thanks to MC’s established transfer agreements with many universities.
Who is Eligible?
MCPS students apply in the fall of their sophomore10th-grade year and acceptance is contingent on several factors. Students must have including a high school unweighted GPA of 2.75 or higher, and meetmeeting the appropriate assessment levels for each program. To find out more about the program, explore degrees, and find out how to apply, visit the EC website at https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/high-school-students/dual-enrollment/degree-and-pathway-programs/early-college-program/index.html.
Article Written by Renata Podlesny
Graphic by Sona Saravana