High school seniors, take notice! Your Community College in Berlin is piloting a new program of benefit to you, a program called North Country Early College. The program allows select high school seniors across the North Country to enroll in a college course and earn credits while they are still in high school. Upon completion, students will have credits toward a college degree, as well as credits required for their high school diploma.
For some, North Country Early College will be an opportunity to test a specific career field. For others, it will provide the chance to enroll in a liberal arts course, which will be applied toward associate degree requirements. In addition, the program provides high school seniors with the opportunity to get a taste of what college is all about. Students sit in classes taught by professors and surrounded by college students. They can experience first-hand what is involved with a college course, rather than just wondering about it. For those who think they can’t handle college work, the program can also be a real confidence builder.
The North Country Early College Pilot program is different from the College's Running Start Initiative. Running Start allows high school students to earn credits for a college course which they take in high school. High school teachers work in conjunction with NHCTC faculty to align their courses and make sure course objectives are identical.
North Country Early College courses are available for one-half the cost of the course, plus the cost of the book. Courses available for the fall 2007 semester are Accounting I, Introduction to Business Administration, Foundations of Early Childhood Education, Web Design I, Foundations of Education, College Composition, Algebra and Trigonometry, Statistics, Biology, and Chemistry. Early College students can enroll in these courses at the Berlin campus and at academic centers in Littleton, Woodsville, and Conway, provided the courses are offered at those locations.
Applying for the Early College program is easy. Here are the criteria: Students must be high school seniors; they need to provide a high school transcript and must have attained a B average or higher in their coursework; SAT scores will also be reviewed; students need to submit a 500 word maximum essay stating their future educational goals and why this program would be of benefit to them; a signature form must be returned with approval from a parent/guardian, guidance counselor, and high school principal. The form is available at North Country high school guidance offices or at the Admissions Office at the College. The College's Admissions office will review applicants.
Fall classes begin the week of September 4, so high school seniors who are interested in the Early College program should begin the process now. Eligible North Country High Schools include Kennett High School, Berlin High School, Gorham High School, Woodsville High School, Lisbon High School, White Mountain Regional High School, Profile High School, Groveton High School, Stratford High School, Colebrook High School, Pittsburg High School, and Littleton High School, Additional information on the program may be obtained by contacting Martha Laflamme, Vice President of Student Affairs at 752-1113 or 800-445-4525.
Thoughts, comments and suggestions for topics are welcome: keneguess@ccsnh.edu
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