High School Pupils Use Summer to Get Jump on College Careers

For high school students who plan to attend college, summer can be a great time to get a head start on a college degree by earning credit for a few classes at a local campus.

By taking some of the general education classes that students must complete in their first two years, you can allow yourself a lighter and more manageable schedule later.

Community colleges are the most inexpensive and convenient option for summer college classes--and, I think, the most underrated educational institution around.

They offer smaller classes, stronger student-teacher rapport, less red tape and lower costs than most four-year colleges and universities.

And on the Westside, students don’t have to look far for a good community college.

West Los Angeles College offers perhaps the best deal if you’re on a tight budget: Any student entering grades nine through 12 next fall can take classes there for free by obtaining a fee waiver when registering.

WLAC offers a variety of general education courses, but there’s only one summer session, lasting six weeks (July 1-Aug. 9).

Most of the classes are worth three units of credit and you may take up to 18 units per session.

As with most community colleges, there’s no formal application process, but one must present written consent from parents and proof that they have lived in California for at least a year.

Summer general education classes fill up fast, so even though West Los Angeles allows enrollment up to July 11, I suggest calling the college now at (213) 287-4520.

Santa Monica College also offers general education classes for college credit to students entering grades nine through 12 during its six-week session (June 24-Aug. 1) and eight-week session (June 24-Aug. 16).

Most of Santa Monica College’s classes count for three units, and you’re limited to eight per session. The cost is $5 per unit plus a one-time registration fee of $15. You can enroll even after classes have begun, but the admissions office suggests doing it before about June 10 for a good selection of classes. Call the college at (213) 450-5150 for more information.

Los Angeles City College’s summer program consists of one six-week session, July 1 to Aug. 8. You can take any of LACC’s general education courses, most of which are three units, if you’re entering ninth grade or higher and can prove parents’ California residency.

Courses at L.A. City’s campus in Hollywood cost $5 per unit. Be sure to tell the registration clerk that you want college credit (not high school credit) for the courses. Call the school at (213) 669-4000 to get started.

If you want a bigger campus, try one of the nearby California State University campuses.

Cal State Los Angeles treats its summer program as just another semester, like fall or spring, but it offers a well-known program for high school students to earn college credit.

The Accredited College Enrollment program is open to students who will be juniors or seniors next fall and have a B average or are enrolled in a program for gifted students.

Program participants may take any of Cal State L.A.’s 1,800 general education courses for credit, and the credit is transferable to any other CSU campus, and most community and private colleges.

You’ll pay a flat $35 fee for the 10-week session (June 24-Sept. 7), no matter how many classes you attend. To find out if you qualify, call the university at (213) 343-3000.

Cal State Northridge allows more flexibility with its choice of four summer sessions, but it is also more restrictive because you must have completed your junior year to take its general education classes. You also need a letter from the principal to verify competency.

Most of the classes are worth three units, although some science classes that require extra lab time are worth four.

Cal State Northridge is a jump in price: You’ll pay $99 per unit for most courses and $125 per unit for some sciences, plus a $19 fee to support the health center and student union.

You may take up to seven units in each of the six-week or nine-week sessions. For details, call the university at (818) 885-1200.

Cal State Long Beach has no summer program for high school students, but Cal State Dominguez Hills, in Carson, does.

Dominguez Hills invites any student entering junior or senior year to take general education courses, but one needs a letter of recommendation from the principal or a counselor and letter of parental consent.

Fees are $99 per unit plus a student activities fee of $13. There are two overlapping six-week sessions: June 3-July 12 and June 25-Aug. 3. Call the university at (213) 516-3972.

Finally, there is UCLA, which offers the ultimate college experience because one can live in the dorms while taking classes.

UCLA offers college credit through its “Expanding Horizons” program for gifted students who will begin 10th through 12th grade next fall.

You can take any lower-division class during the two sessions, June 24-Aug. 2 and Aug. 5-Sept. 13.

Most classes earn you four units apiece, and the credit is transferable to other UC schools, Cal State schools, and most community and private colleges.

But UCLA is expensive. It’s $190 for each session plus $57 per unit. So a typical four-unit class costs $418--and must be paid in full, in advance.

And dorm life may sound great, but you’ll pay from $900 to $1,300 for a room and meals.

Apply through UCLA Extension, (213) 825-1901.