THE EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM
The Early College Program Spring 2021 retention rate is 94%.
The Class of 2021 average number of credits earned upon high school graduation = 20.1.
The Class of 2021 the average GPA upon high school graduation = 3.09.
Early College gives students the opportunity to expand their horizons and achieve collegiate success while they are still in high school. We work to build future leaders and scholars through higher education.
Of the Georgia State University Early College Program graduates are accepted to this university.
Early College Voices
"The students that we service, typically live in low socioeconomic areas and would not be afforded this program if they had to meet the dual enrollment route of freshman admissions. The Early College criteria has granted numerous students the chance to earn college credit while being a college and high school scholar simultaneously. I have witnessed students making A+s in their college courses and were able to transfer these credits to prestigious colleges, for example Harvard University and John Hopkins University."
K. Rogers, High School Counselor
"My experience as a participant of the Early College program was nothing short of transformative. After graduating in 2014 within the top 10 of my high school class and earning enough credits to be classified as a sophomore in college, I went on to graduate twice from Georgia State University in 2017 with a bachelor of science and then again in 2019 with a master of arts in teaching."
M. Sims, Early College Class of 2014
"I was a student in the Early College program from June 2019-May 2021. In those two years, the Early College Program was one of the most beneficial outlets for me academically and personally. Now being a full-time student in the Honors College at Georgia State University, there are so many lessons and experiences that assisted me in getting here. First, the Early College Program helped me even get into the Honors College. Without the exposure to these courses and being held to the standards presented as an Early College student, I would not have adapted to the responsibilities of an Honors or regular college student. Time management, punctuality, respect, self-discipline and accountability are very important in my studies, and these are all core expectations of Early College students."
J. Crawford, Early College Class of 2021
What is the Early College Program?
Early College high school is a bold approach, based on the principle that academic rigor, combined with the opportunity to save time and money, is a powerful motivator for students to work hard and meet serious intellectual challenges. The Early College Program at partner high schools blends high school and college in a rigorous yet supportive program, compressing the time it takes to complete a high school diploma and the first two years of college. The program allows its students, from selected Early College partner high schools, to enroll in classes at Georgia State. Students may earn a high school diploma with the potential to earn two years of college credits towards a bachelor’s degree. This rigorous program requires that students possess a high degree of academic potential and maturity.
What are some of the key features of the Early College Program?
- Weekly meetings
- Mandatory study sessions
- Mandatory community service
- Two to three Georgia State classes each semester
- Field trips
- Professional luncheons
- On-going parent engagement opportunities
What is the structure of the Georgia State Early College program?
During the school year, the students attend Georgia State during their regular school hours on the days designated by their local high school. Most of our students go to their home school first and are then transported (via school buses) to the Georgia State campus by 9:30 am. At the end of the day, usually 4 p.m., the school buses come back to the Georgia State campus to pick up the students and take them back to their respective high schools.
If my child/ student is not a student at a Georgia State University Early College partner high school, can they still be a part of the Georgia State University Early College Program?
No, however, your child/student can participate in the 2023 Early College Summer Enrichment program. Please see the tab for more information on the Early College Summer Enrichment Program.
In addition, you can contact your high school's administration for more information on the process to become an Early College partner high school.
If a high school student participates in the Early College Program, are they guaranteed a spot as a Georgia State University student?
No, however, all students in the program get support applying to Georgia State. Students in our program have an acceptance rate that is above 90% and your yield rate (percentage of students who enroll at Georgia State upon high school graduation) is 50%.
How can educators and parents/caregivers prepare students to be a part of the Early College Program?
At the high school, students must have a 2.75 GPA, 90% attendance and a recommendation from their high school counselor. Focusing on supporting students in these areas can greatly help students prepare to be a part of this program.
What are the Georgia State University Early College partner high schools?
- Carver Early College High School
- Booker T. Washington High School
- Charles R. Drew Charter School
- Decatur High School
- D.M. Therrell High School
- Coretta Scott King Young Women's Leadership Academy
- B.E.S.T. High School
- Maynard Jackson High School
How can my high school become a Georgia State University Early College partner high school?
An MOU between Georgia State University and your district and/or high school must be developed. Please contact your high school administration for more information on that process.
Thank you to all who participated in the previous years of our Early College Summer program!
They have all been great successes.
Our program is open to all metro Atlanta students. In four weeks, our students gain what they need to be successful as they start their college experiences. They’ll learn academic, cultural and social skills through coursework and field trips.
Early College Summer Program students take college-level math, English and social science classes. In addition, they'll take courses in the following:
- study skills
- financial literacy
- how to become a successful college student
- coding, art and film
Our on-campus summer program gives them the experience of what it’s like to be at the university. They’ll learn to navigate the campus, experience downtown Atlanta and interact with other college students.
Early College Summer Program students also go on field trips to:
- Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama
- Junior Achievement at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta
- and… a surprise, out-of-town, fun-filled trip
College-bound high school students will get a huge head start from this extraordinary experience.
We'll see you in 2023!
Details of the Early College Summer Program
Dates:
June 20, 2023 - June 30, 2023 (dates are tentative)
Cost:
$650 per student
Application deadline:
March 2023
Payment Deadline:
$150 deposit due April 2023
$500 remaining balance due May 2023
What the cost covers:
Four-week on-campus programming at Georgia State University, including a monthly MARTA card, daily lunch, two field trips and all books, materials and initial supplies.
Program Time:
Please note, this is an on-campus daytime experience. Your student will not remain on campus overnight.
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
After acceptance into the Early College Summer Program, parents will receive:
- A website link for payment — the URL comes to you in an acceptance confirmation email
- Please note: You can only pay online. In-person payments are not accepted.
Are scholarships available?
There are limited need-based scholarships available.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information about the Early College Summer Enrichment Program, please contact Eric Cuevas at [email protected], or 404-413-2681.
Contact Us
Contact
Eric Cuevas
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 404-413-2681
Address
Sparks Hall
Suite 255
33 Gilmer Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30303