DE Classes and What They Mean

Okay, this might be a basic question but, what exactly are 'DE classes'? I've seen them mentioned a lot but I'm not exactly sure what they are and how they might affect my high school and college trajectory.

DE classes, or Dual Enrollment classes, are courses that you take in high school that allow you to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. The idea is that you get to experience college-level coursework while still in high school, potentially saving time and money in college because you've already taken care of some credits.

It's essential to note that DE classes differ from Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes. AP and IB courses culminate in a final examination, and colleges decide whether to grant credit based on scores from those examinations. Conversely, DE classes involve taking actual college courses, often through a local community college, and the credit is typically based on your final course grade.

Taking DE classes can not only help with college admissions by showing a willingness to engage with challenging coursework, but it can also help you explore possible areas of study in more depth than a traditional high school course.

However, it's important to understand how the classes will be viewed by your potential colleges. Some universities accept DE credits readily, while others may not. It's a good idea to research the colleges you're interested in to understand their policies.

Finally, DE classes could affect your high school GPA, depending on how your school calculates it. In some cases, DE classes may be calculated on the same 5.0 scale used for honors or AP classes—allowing you to boost your GPA. However, this isn't always the case, so it's worth checking.

In any case, taking DE classes can be a great way to show college readiness and a desire to challenge yourself academically.