Early College Start (ECS)

Why take college courses now?

  1. Get a Jump Start on College
  2. Save Money
  3. How taking ACC classes can fit into your schedule
  4. Dual Credit Classes
  5. Anderson ECS Enrollment Process for New Students
  6. What ECS Students Need for Eligibility
  7. Returning ECS Students

1.Get a jump-start on college

  • Co- Enrollment(college credit only)
  • Earn dual-credit (high school and college credit)
  • Credit in Escrow at ACC 

2. Save money

  • Early College Start (ECS) is FREE for in-district students
  • You only pay for books and transcripts

Students can take 2 courses per semester starting the summer after their sophomore year for a total of 6 semesters. Most classes are transferable to other public colleges and universities

3. How taking ACC classes can fit into your schedule

  • Some of the classes are offered at Anderson high school
  • You may take classes offered at any ACC campus
  • You make take courses on line—called Distance Learning at ACC

To see what classes are offered visit http://www3.austincc.edu/schedule/

Please be realistic in your choices students cannot drop more than 6 courses in their college career. While ECS students are somewhat protected, it is something to be aware of.

4. Dual Credit Classes

Dual credit courses are a weighted grade on your Anderson transcript but you MUST provide an Official transcript from ACC to the Anderson registrar. Please visit http://www.austincc.edu/support/admissions/transcripts.php for more information on requesting transcripts. Remember that you are not limited to Dual credit classes, you may also take courses that would be considered co-enrollment.

Some Popular Dual Credit Classes:

  • US History 1301 and 1302
  • US Government 2305
  • Speech 1311  Economics 2301
  • Biotechnology 1414
  • Sign language

Language Courses

  • You can take foreign language or sign language at ACC, but it must ALL be taken there. Example - Cannot take Spanish I at Anderson and Spanish II at ACC.
  • One semester at ACC equals a whole year of high school language.

5. Anderson ECS Enrollment Process for New Students

  1. Apply to ACC
    • Go to www.austincc.edu/apply
    • Click: begin taking credit classes at acc
    • Click: Apply on line-- scroll down to bottom of page and click begin—(make sure you have your social security number before beginning!)

    2. The above step only gets your name in the system—it does not register you!

  2. Fill out the Residency form - Print out Residency Form and complete in ink. This form can be found on the “apply on line page” or given to you by Project Advance in the Registrar’s office. Place a copy of this form in your folder.
  3. Complete ACC 101 - Go to www.austincc.edu/acc101 to complete mandatory ACC 101 new student orientation. Print and place a copy in folder!
  4. Meet with Project Advance in Registrar’s office
    • College readiness will be determined by using one of the following: TAKS, SAT ,ACT, or PSAT. If needed, we will discuss taking the Asset/Compass test.
    • Ecs voucher will be given. This form must be signed by you, counselor, parent, and ECS advisor before submitting to ACC. Project ADVANCE will help you get signatures from counselor and Principal. You will have voucher signed by ECS specialist at Advising. This must be placed in folder.
  5. Meet with ACC Advising - Meet with an ECS Representative during a pre-arranged advising session at Anderson (find out the date) or Meet with ACC Advisor on any ACC Campus. You MUST have all above materials before meeting!
  6. Register at ACC - Congratulations you are now ready to register for a class. You may use telephone or web for your approved course(s) during registration . Make sure you have all your course information!

6. What ECS Students Need for Eligibility

TSI (college readiness) for ECS will be determined by one of the following

EXIT TAKS
ELA 2200 and 3 on essay
Math 2200		 PSAT
50 critical Reading
50 Math Composite 107
SAT
500 Critical Reading
500 Math Composite 1070		 ACT
19 English
19 Math
23 Composite

7. Returning ECS Students

ECS Voucher - ECS voucher must be completed every semester attending ACC. This form must be signed by you, counselor, parent, and ECS advisor before submitting to ACC. Project ADVANCE will help you get signatures from counselor and Principal. You will have voucher signed by ECS specialist at Advising. This form is what pays for the course.

ACC Advising - Meet with an ECS Representative during a pre-arranged advising session at Anderson (find out the date) or Meet with ACC Advisor on any ACC Campus. You MUST have the above materials before meeting!