Date
Dear Parent or Guardian:
You are receiving this letter because your son or daughter has expressed interest in or has submitted an application to the University of Connecticut’sUConn Early College Experience Programprogram, which is the first step to earning college credits while in high school.
What is UConn Early College Experience?
UConn Early College Experience Program (ECE) is a dual concurrent enrollment program that allows students to take UConn courses while still in high school. Students can earn both high school and college credits for any ECE course that they choose to take as long as they maintain a C average in it.
In 1955, this program was initiated for academically motivated high school students. Today, over 10,000 students and about 1,100 certified instructors in approximately 170 high schools are taking part in this academic opportunity annually.
About UConn courses earned through UConn ECE Courses
UConn Early College Experience program offers 50 over 60 courses in more than 20 25 disciplines. The curriculum is designed to offer a variety of general education courses that appeal to a diverse group of students. These challenging courses allow students to preview college work, build confidence in their readiness for college, and earn college credits that provide both an academic and a financial head-start on a college degree.
Courses taken through UConn Early College Experience are equivalent to the courses offered on any of the University of Connecticut campus. Courses are taught on the high school campus by high school instructors who have been certified as adjunct faculty members by the University of Connecticut. High school students follow the curriculum and grading rubric that has been designed by UConn. These[BB1] courses count as freshman level courses on the UCONN campus. UConn ECE students benefit by taking college courses in a familiar setting with an instructor they know.
What UConn ECE courses are offered at (insert HS name)High School?The example below is similar for most high schools. Please alter text if not.
At (insert HS name), all ECE UConn courses are honors level courses. These courses may also have an AP designation as well. The instructor of the course teaches the University course and may include any additional content to prepare students for the AP test in May. Students may not be able to identify the curriculum differences between the courses. They will notice that they are assessed for credit differently. Students earn UConn credit throughout the semester or full academic year through papers, quizzes, presentations, and other assignments. AP is a test in May and credit is determined by universities differently and for most of them, you will notice that their names contain ECE/AP in it. This is because, while the UConn curriculum is followed, our teachers have expanded this curriculum to add topics that would prepare students for the AP tests, if they choose to take it. What this means is that, students who participate in a class that is named AP/ECE have the option of taking the AP exam for the class but are not required to.
(Insert HS name) High School UConn ECE Courses for the 2015-2016 Academic Year:(example below)
●AP/ECE Biology - full year class split into two semesters that earn 4 college credits each
●AP/ECE Chemistry - full year class split into two semesters that earn 4 college credits each
●AP/ECE Environmental Science- full year class thatearns 3 college credits
●AP/ECE Modern European History - full year class that earns 3 college credits
●AP/ECE Physics - full year class split into two semesters that earn 4 college credits each
●AP/ECE United States History - full year class split into two semesters that earn 3 college credits each
●ECE Advanced Studio Art- full year class thatearns 3 college credits
●ECE Oceanography - spring semester class that earns 3 college credits
●ECE Spanish 4 - full year class split into two semesters that earn 3 college credits each
Can I transfer my ECE credits to other colleges?
Your son or daughter does not need to attend UConn in order to use the college credits he/she earns while in high school. College credits earned through the UConn ECE program are accepted by many colleges and universities across the country. The UConn ECE website features a transfer database that lets you explore the likelihood of credits transferring to a school of their choice.
How do the ECE credits transfer from UConn to another college?
Your child will need to go through a regular transcript request and credit transfer process at his/her chosen college for credits to be transferred from UConn to another college. There is information available at regarding credit transfer instructions. Individual colleges may differ, but generally one should request a transcript from UCONN UConn via the UCONN UConn ECE website, and the transcript will be printed and mailed to your child and/or their chosen college.
What are the fees associated with the UConn ECE courses and their equivalents if the courses are taken in college?
UConn ECE courses are approximately one-tenth of the cost in comparison to taking the same course at UConn.
The cost for a 3 credit course through ECE is $125 vs. approximately $1,544 for the same course taken in college
The cost for a 4 credit course through ECE is $160 vs. approximately $2,316 for the same course taken in college
The ECE University Resource fee is $20 vs $25-$75 resource fee for college students
How is billing handled? Billing is handled directly by UCONN via their Student Administration System. Your child will be emailed an e-bill after they have completed the registration process. Payment should be mailed directly back to UCONNUConn, or made throughUCONN’s UConn’s online billing service via the Student Administration System. Detailed payment instructions can be found on the UConn ECE website. Fee waivers are available to students on the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch plan. See your guidance counselor for instructions on how to apply for this waiver.
When and how do I register for ECE courses? ( This section will need to be modified by school procedure)
●April 30th - June 1st. Regular application timeframe for the following academic year. ALL forms must go through the ECE Coordinator, (insert Site Rep name) for verification. Students meet with (Site Rep name) during their study halls or after school to complete the application process.
●June 1st - June 30th.Course enrollment period. Students must enroll for classes on the UConn’s website .edu by June 30th. If students fail to enroll for their ECE courses by June 30th, they can do so during the Add/Drop period but they will be charged a $25 fee.
●August 15th. Add/Drop period begins. Students who enroll in June and experience a schedule change over the summer may drop the ECE course during the Add/Drop period.
●August 31st - September 15th. Application timeframe for students who did not submit an application by June 1st because they added the ECE class to their schedule after the 1st of June.
●September 30th. Late enrollment deadline for adding or dropping courses with a $25 add/drop processing fee. Courses dropped by September 30th will result in a refund of already paid fees minus $25 add/drop fee. Students are financially responsible for all courses dropped after September 30th.
Note: All add/drops must be verified by (insert name here) during the Add/Drop period. Schedule changes at (insert school name) and their subsequent influence on the UConn ECE enrollment must be verified by a School Counselor and (insert site rep name) so proper paperwork may be filed. In some situations, the add/drop fee may be waived.
●November. Fees due for Full Year and Fall semester courses.
●January. Fees due for spring semester courses.
Sincerely,
(Insert name), ECE Coordinator
[BB1]They are not all freshman-level courses