With registering for next year’s classes still on the brains of students, it’s time to think about what next year’s opportunities will hold for you, and that just might include Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO). It’s not too late; students can apply at Normandale through July 1st. PSEO is available through the Minnesota Department of Education to juniors and seniors who decide to take courses at a local university or community college, such as Normandale, to earn dual college and high school credit.
Although PSEO sounds like a great idea, Edina High School offers Advanced Placement classes that essentially provide the same benefits. PSEO and A.P. classes alike allow students to receive dual high school and college credit that can be transferred to another college down the road, and both are free through Edina. The only major difference is in order to receive college credit for an A.P. class, the student must take an A.P. exam at the end of the year and get either a three, four or five.
For those students who wish to go to a private college or university, counselor Bill Hicks suggests that A.P. classes are a better choice: A.P. is a standard program available in most high schools around the country, so the credits can usually be transferred easily to private schools, even if they are out-of-state. PSEO is only available in certain states: its credits are easier to transfer to public schools, especially those that are in one’s home state. Because of this, full-time PSEO student and junior Nora Abdelal decided that it was a good choice for her. “There is this program called MNTC (Minnesota Transfer Credits), and once I get 40 credits at Normandale, I can automatically transfer to the U of M. It’s kind of a way to ensure that the credits will be accepted at the college I want to go to,” Abdelal said.
PSEO is also a good option if a student is tired of the high school atmosphere and is ready to move on to college. “[You] get to know new people, make new connections, and get a taste of college life,” Abdelal said. For others, not getting the full high school experience may be seen as a con. “I am definitely not involved in the high school as much as I would like to be… It’s still possible for me to be but with the full-time PSEO and a job, it’s hard to balance everything out the way I would like to,” Abdelal said.
If you’re considering PSEO, also remember the options Edina High School offers you, such as A.P. classes, and the obstacles of PSEO. It’s a big decision to make on your own, so consult your counselor and they’ll have the best advice that pertains directly to you.
Moving on to college sounds like a good idea now, but make sure you soak up the high school experience now and don’t take it for granted. Once high school is done, it’s done forever!
