Early College Access Program (ECAP) Information Session

OVERVIEW OF SESSION

• What is ECAP and what are the benefits?
• Who is eligible?
• Costs and discounts
• Steps to enroll
• Expectations
• Supports along the way

What is the Early College Access Program

(ECAP)?

A way for eligible high school students to take Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) classes and earn college credit while still enrolled in high school.

Why ECAP?

• What are your interests and goals?
• Training for a job after high school?
• Progress toward an Associate's Degree?
• Credits toward a Bachelor's Degree?

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Save time and money!

Where? At AACC

• Arnold Campus (pictured)
• Glen Burnie Town Center location
• Arundel Mills location
• Online
• Approximately 2,000 ECAP Students
• Small class sizes: personalized attention
• Nationally recognized

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Search “AACC Fast Facts” for more info!

Where? At Your High School

• Signature Program classes in your school
• Certain CTE (Career & Technical Education) programs
• See link for your high school at aacc.edu/ecap

When?

• 12^th grade is easiest if you have a shortened schedule – make the most of your time!
• 11^th grade through your school’s Signature

Program (AACPS)

• 11^th grade at AACC or online if you have time to do more than your high school classes
• Summer between 11^th & 12^th grades
• Earlier under special circumstances

ECAP Eligibility Requirements

• Be age 16 or older*
• Meet GPA and other academic criteria
• For AACPS students, talk to your school counselor to determine your eligibility.

* Exception on next slide

See aacc.edu/ecap and aacps.org/ecap

for complete eligibility details.

Requirements for Under 16 Years Old

• Have completed 7^th grade
• Be identified as Gifted and Talented
• Attend an AACC Gifted and Talented Virtual Information session
• Meet requirements of AACC (and AACPS if applicable)

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See aacc.edu/ecap and aacps.org/ecap

for complete eligibility details.

Your Classes Could be FREE!

• AACPS students who meet criteria of both AACC and AACPS may take 1 or 2 classes per semester from the approved list at no cost. Additional courses or nonapproved courses will be discounted 25%.

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• Maryland Private and Home School students who meet AACC eligibility take courses at a 25% discount.

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• NOTE: Tuition discounts depend on timely submission and approval of appropriate ECAP forms.

Steps to Enroll

ECAP form

4. Submit appropriate with your desired classes and required

signatures to the AACC Cashier’s Office.

5. Register for classes through the MyAACC portal.

Review criteria and meet with your school counselor. Then…

1. Apply to AACC.
2. Look for classes that you want based on a field of interest or job training area.
3. Determine your eligibility for those classes
• take placement tests if needed.

Questions Before Moving On?

Up Next:

• Goal-Setting
• Course Selection
• Registration
• Expectations and Support

What is YOUR Goal?

Example #1: Short Job Training

You want a short training pathway to do a particular job. Take a small number noncredit/Workforce classes (sometimes just one!) to earn a license or certification.

• Computer repairs or entry-level cybersecurity
• Medical Assistant
• Casino Poker Dealer
• Real Estate Agent
• Many more!

What is YOUR Goal?

You want a 2-year Associate’s Degree that will lead straight into a career. Take

2 academic years of classes to earn an Associate’s Degree.

• Registered Nurse
• Information Assurance and Cybersecurity
• Early Childhood Development
• Hotel/Restaurant Management
• Many more!

Example #2: Associate’s Degree

What is YOUR Goal?

Example #3: Bachelor’s Degree

You want a Bachelor’s Degree to prepare you for a desired career. Look for a Transfer Associate’s Degree pathway at AACC. Then transfer and finish your Bachelor’s Degree at a 4-year college or university (UMD, Morgan State, etc.).

• Business Administration
• Electrical Engineering
• Psychology
• Nursing
• Many more! And also a custom Transfer Studies Degree if we don’t offer the major you’re looking for.

Will Your Classes Transfer?

• AACC classes transfer well to many public and private 4-year colleges & universities in Maryland and out of state
• If you have specific 4-year colleges & universities in mind, check before you register to be sure that your credits will transfer
• See our Transfer Services page for more information - transfer advising is available

aacc.edu/transfer

Choosing Classes – AACPS Students

• All college classes taken in high school are considered “dual enrollment.”
• A smaller number of these classes are considered “dual credit” because they count as equivalent to specific high school classes (for example, Italian I, Personal Fitness 1, Calculus BC, Human Anatomy & Physiology)

Examples of Different Course Formats for the Same Class

Course Eligibility and Placement

• Each course description will include its prerequisites.
• Ways to determine placement:
• Accuplacer tests for English and/or Math
• High School GPA after 11^th grade (along with math grades, for math placement)
• SAT/ACT scores
• Details at aacc.edu/placement

Support for Registration

• Attend your school’s Personal Registration Day (PRD)
• Individual sessions at all AACPS and some private high schools to plan and register for classes
• Ask your counselor about the date for your school
• Complete your application in advance and do placement testing if needed
• No PRD or need to follow up? Contact the Admissions Officer for your school. Find yours at Admissions - Anne Arundel Community College

HOW ARE COLLEGE CLASSES DIFFERENT FROM HIGH SCHOOL?

Details at High School vs. College - Anne Arundel Community College (aacc.edu)

Ways to Get Ready

Attend Orientation!

Online or In Person aacc.edu/orientation

Take a Campus Tour!

aacc.edu/connect 🡺

Campus Tours

Upcoming Dates

• April 23 and May 21

Personal Registration Days at Crofton High School

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• Now Open – Summer Registration
• April 1 – Fall Preview
• April 9 -- Fall Registration Opens

THANK YOU!

Ricardo Quinteros

(410) 777-1289

REQuinteros@AACC.EDU