What is an Early College Program
An Early College Program is a system designed to allow high school students to be enrolled in both high school and college at the same time. It is a program that allows a student to begin transitioning to college earlier than is traditional.
What is the Northwood Early College Scholars Program
The Northwood Early College Scholars Program (ECSP) is designed to ease the transition from high school to college for our students. It is NOT designed to shorten the time a student spends in college, but rather to provide a support for the student as they learn to navigate the demands of being successful in college.
Benefits of an Early College Program
- Traditionally, college applications require colleges to base their admission decision on an “educated guess” as to whether or not a student will be successful in their institution based on their previous success in high school. This program allows eligible students to BE successful in college while still at Northwood High School. They are then able to provide PROOF of success to the colleges and universities in the form of a transcript from either the University of Maryland, College Park, or Montgomery College.
- Traditionally, High School seniors had no access to college coursework beyond an AP course. Early college programs in general provide access to actual college coursework taught by actual college professors.
- Eligible students may be able to continue advanced course work beyond that which can be offered within the high school
Benefits of Northwood’s Early College Scholars Program (ECSP)
- The ECSP allows students to experience the full college environment by taking classes on campus with other college students.
- ECSP students are not known to other traditional college students allowing them to experience the campus socially, as well as academically, as a college student rather than experiencing only college level coursework as in an Advanced Placement course.
- ECSP students are treated by the college as college students for all purposes including special education support, textbooks, transportation, health services, student activities, etc.
- Support for the students is provided at Northwood through a course specifically designed for them. This support will help to ensure the students’ continued success throughout the program and beyond, instructing them on the skills needed to be a successful student in college
Can your student answer "yes" to ALL of these questions?
- 1. Have you completed all graduation requirements with the exception of English 12 and maybe one other course?
- 2. Do you have a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.75 or higher?
- 3. Have you successfully completed at least two consecutive years of the same foreign language?
- 4. Have you successfully completed (received a grade of A or B) an Advanced Placement course, and/or are currently enrolled in an Advanced Placement course and received a grade of A or B for all quarters completed so far?
- 5. Have you successfully completed AND are currently enrolled in an Honors English, Math, Science, and/or Social Studies course and are receiving and A or B?
*If you said yes to each and every question, then you may be eligible to apply for the program.
* Meeting all the minimum requirements for application does in no way guarantee acceptance into the program.
What Does This Mean to Me?
If you are able to answer yes to all of the questions above, then you MAY be eligible for the ECSP. You should now:
- 1. Complete ALL of the required forms under “Application Links” to the left. Complete all forms for UMD, Montgomery College, or both.
- 2. Request an official transcript from the registrar.
- 3. Review all forms for accuracy.
- 4. Turn in to the Main Office for Mr. Sullivan no later than 8:00 a.m., Friday, January 8, 2009.
- 5. Continue to succeed in all classes as ALL grades for this year will be reviewed prior to registration at either UMD or MC.
I’ve Turned Everything in. When Will I find Out the Answer?
Applications are reviewed and approved here at Northwood, then forwarded on to the institution to which you applied. Final decisions are made by either Montgomery College or the University of Maryland. Letters are mailed prior to about May 1st. These decisions are made separately from and after their regular freshman applications; therefore, no set timeline is available, unfortunately. It all depends on the number of applications received by the college or university that year. Students and parents will be notified by both the institution and by Northwood one way or the other.
Tuition and Fees
University of Maryland
PART-TIME TUITION, UNDERGRADUATE* (mandatory fees not included)
Part-Time Undergraduates, Maryland Residents
$258.00 per credit hour
Part-Time Undergraduates, Non-Residents
$729.00 per credit hour
*More information can be found at:
http://www.testudo.umd.edu/soc/feesspring.html
Montgomery College
Total including fees (no books) for 3-credit hours per semester
$387.60
Textbooks and Class Materials
Students and parents are responsible for all textbooks required by the class in which the student is enrolled. None will be provided by Northwood or MCPS.
Transportation
Students and parents are responsible for all transportation to and from the University or Montgomery College. Neither Northwood High School nor MCPS provide transportation.
Montgomery College
Montgomery College ID provides free bus transportation on Ride On buses
University of Maryland
Students may take the C2 bus from the front of Northwood to the Student Union on campus.
University ID provides free transportation on University Transit Services. UMD Campus Parking permits are available for a fee.
Special Education Services within the Program
All students are considered to be a student of the institution in which they enroll. Students receiving special education services here at Northwood may or may not receive those accommodations at the University or College. It is the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s) to contact the institution AFTER final acceptance into the program to determine the institution's policy concerning special education services.
Financial Information
All students are considered to be a student of the institution in which they enroll. They are, therefore, subject to all penalties and benefits as such at their respective institutions. Example: students at the University of Maryland are entitled to a partial refund if they withdraw from a course after certain dates. Students receiving financial aid are responsible for repayment of aid should the student withdraw or fail the course according to the University of Maryland’s or Montgomery College's standard policy.
