The Three-Year College Option
For some students, four years of a college education is
simply too much to afford. But by accelerating their college career to reduce
the amount of time they spend in the classroom, these student are able to
reduce their overall cost of college.
How do they do it?
For many students, the three-year college plan starts in high
school. High school students can accumulate college credits by taking and
scoring well on Advanced Placement examinations. Generally, the cost of an AP
exam is much less than the cost of a college course, and for public school
students whose high schools offer AP courses, the cost of instruction is
generally free.
Both high school and college students may be able to
accumulate college credits by taking classes online. Many colleges and
universities are now offering online courses that may be used to fulfill both general
education and college major requirements. The added advantage of online courses
is that students can take the courses year-round, logging on at their convenience
to complete their work or take exams, without having to be on campus.
Summer breaks present students an opportunity to grab a few
extra classes at typically lower tuition rates. Summer classes usually take two
to three months (half a semester) to complete and can offer the same number of
credits toward graduation as a semester-long class.