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Early College Scholars Program

Year-Round Dual Enrollment Program

Program Overview

Through our Early College Scholars Program, St. Louis area students have the opportunity to enroll in courses for credit and study alongside undergraduates at Washington University. Students may enroll in up to six units of credit per semester. Courses are the undergraduate-level courses in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics offered by the College of Arts & Sciences. Students commute to campus for courses.

This program is an ideal option for students who:

  • Have unique academic interests not available through their high school.
  • Are looking for courses beyond their high school curriculum.
  • Need to enroll in a college course to fulfill a high school requirement.
  • Are exploring alternative options to AP courses.
  • Want to advance their knowledge in a particular academic area such as math or foreign language.
  • Would like a commuter option to our residential summer pre-college programs.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Early College Scholars students should:

  • Be a current 12th grade St. Louis area high school student.
  • Have a minimum 3.8 weighted cumulative grade-point average on a 4.0 scale.
  • Meet any prerequisites listed for a course.

Enrollment

2024 Summer Semester

A select number of undergraduate courses in the summer are open to pre-college to enroll. 2024 summer course dates are June 10-July 12, 2024. Pre-college students interested in enrolling should submit a registration form and copy of their transcript no later than May 3, 2024

View Summer Course and Registration Details

2024 Fall and 2025 Spring Semesters

Priority for enrollment in fall and spring semesters is given first to full-time undergraduate students, and if space is available, then pre-college students may be permitted to enroll in select number of courses. Pre-college students should consider carefully how to balance enrollment in a fall/spring course with their high school curriculum and responsibilities. 

Details for the 2024 fall semester will be available beginning April 1.


Fees and Scholarships

The program fee for Early College Scholars is $1,220 per unit (i.e. $3,660 per 3-unit course). The program fee must be paid in full before enrollment can be processed. Need-based scholarship assistance is available. Children of Washington University employees and returning students are eligible for a 10% discount. Details on need-based scholarships and discounts are available here.


Grades and Transcripts

At the conclusion of course work, participation in the Early College Scholars Program will be recorded and grades earned become part of a student's record at Washington University. Students may request an official transcript of grades earned to be sent to any school to which they are applying for undergraduate admission. Requests should be made through the Office of the University Registrar. Credit courses award a traditional letter grade (A, B, C, D, F). 


Pre-Matriculation Credit

Courses enrolled through the Early College Scholars Program are considered pre-matriculation credit. Every university has its own pre-matriculation transfer credit policy, and we encourage students to do their research as they make future plans. For current guidelines on pre-matriculation credit at Washington University, please review the Pre-Matriculation Units section of the Washington University Bulletin.

If students intend to use credit earned through the Early College Scholars Program for high school graduation requirements, that must be arranged by the student with their high school. 


Enrollment in courses through the Early College Scholars Program does not imply or guarantee acceptance into a degree program at Washington University. For questions about the undergraduate admission process, please contact Undergraduate Admissions.


Orientation

Once a student has been enrolled for course work, they will be invited to join the A&S Pre-College Orientation in Canvas which includes additional information about policies, procedures, and available resources.