Dual-enrollment classes are a defining feature of Townsend Harris, with all students taking a humanities seminar and one college elective in their senior year. While there has been much discussion of a “pause” in the Queens College Bridge Program at Townsend Harris this year, there is still a way that students who wish to earn dual-enrollment college credit before their senior year can do so: by signing up for CUNY courses through College Now, a free dual enrollment program for NYC high school students.

Marci Goodman, the College Now Director at Queens College, said, “The main part of our program is to offer a whole list of choices of courses that are generally introductory level, the kind of college courses that first year students would take, and are prerequisites to taking higher level courses. We offer them in a range of disciplines: from the arts and humanities, to the math and natural sciences, to social sciences.”

To apply to the program, students can search up the specific College Now application for their desired CUNY college. “Students applying for the Summer apply in March, students applying for the Fall apply in April (which may go over into May), and students who are eligible to apply for the Summer and the Fall are students who are rising juniors and rising seniors,” said Ms. Goodman. 

Angelica Cumberbatch, guidance secretary and liaison between the College Now Program and THHS, said, “[Students should] read the course descriptions carefully and talk to their guidance counselors about how these courses fit into their personal schedules and goals. Make sure you meet the prerequisites, especially for more advanced courses. Also, be mindful that spaces fill up quickly.”

Participating students shared their experiences about the program.

“[College Now] has impacted my college readiness as a high school student because I feel like I’m challenging myself to not only take college credit courses in high school (APs), but to experience the life of a college student, which will strongly prepare me for when it comes time to college,” junior Angelina Pierantoni

Senior Thaseena Anjum has been participating in the program during both her junior and senior years. Though she wishes there were more “artsy or environmental classes” that relate to her intended major, she finds the program “a really good way to get [college] credits for free and it gives you a sense of what an actual college class might look like.”

Students who are interested in participating in the program noted its potential benefits including the opportunity to get ahead on credits before college. 

Sophomore Sattina Mendonca said the program would help her “get a head start” for college. She said, “I’d be interested in participating in the program because it’s giving me the opportunity to get more off my plate before I go to college. I’ll have those credits already done and it would make my life a bit easier.”

Sophomore Dihali Perera said, “it’s a great opportunity to earn college credits early, which can save time and money in the future. It also looks good on college applications because it shows that I’m challenging myself academically.” 

Angelina similarly said, “[Taking college classes] is challenging, but it is very beneficial, especially when it comes to college applications as long as you show initiative and at least try to pass all courses.”

Ms. Goodman said that one of the benefits of the QC College Now program is that it offers students a chance to experience a college campus and benefit from its resources. “When students participate, they’re admitted to Queens College as non-degree undergraduate students and enrolled in a college credit course. Because of that, they can use campus facilities like the library. Some students even explore campus clubs or come early to spend time on campus before class,” she said.

Though there are many benefits to taking dual-enrollment courses, students still need to be mindful of maintaining a balance with their current academic responsibilities at THHS.

Ms. Cumberbatch said, “To succeed, students need to balance their THHS workload with the new responsibility of a college course. Time management is crucial. I recommend staying organized with deadlines, participating actively in class, and taking advantage of the office hours provided by the college professors.”

“We want students to feel comfortable and to adjust to the difference between high school and college,” said Ms. Goodman. “That’s the idea: Having an actual college experience while you’re in high school to ease your transition to college and put you on the path to becoming a successful college student.”