High school senior Olivia Duell will be blogging all fall about her college admissions experience. In this post, she writes about her summer job as an intern for United Way:

When I got the call from the United Way requesting a time for an interview, I was shocked. I had applied without much hope because I’d been sending resumes and applications to every place of business in the area, with no luck. I’d really been counting on scoring a camp counselor job, until I received a lovely letter of rejection in the mail. Scouring Craigslist every night had made me even more depressed, as I didn’t qualify for the majority of everything posted there. So basically, my plans for a summer job had been reduced to naught.

Then my mom sent me a link for an internship position hosted by the United Way. What was unique about it was that it was tailored for juniors entering their senior year, so I had an advantage. While reading more about the job, I figured out that the United Way would pair up candidates with a local organization. It sounded pretty great, until I read that only three were selected. I applied anyway, with just as many qualms as I’d had about applying to everything else; and now that it was almost July, businesses had already pretty much hired the hands they needed. This was my last shot.

So when I was informed that the United Way wanted to interview me, ME, for not only one position, but TWO positions, I was floored. I was being considered for placement at more than one local organization.  I couldn’t believe it. I was more than excited- that is until I started freaking out. This was my first job interview experience, ever. I really didn’t want to mess this opportunity up.

In the morning, my nerves hadn’t eased a bit. I drove to the United Way in a mad frenzy, worrying I’d be late. Turns out I arrived 20 minutes early, though that didn’t calm me down at all. I waited in the car for what seemed like ages (though really only 5 minutes), thinking through what I’d say, before I finally got out and went inside.

As I walked through the door, my mood changed. Sure, I was still tense when I was called into the interview room and had to shake hands with the three interviewers, but their attitudes put me at ease. They weren’t grilling me, they were smiling, and they didn’t seem like they wanted me to fail. I stopped mumbling incoherently and made eye-contact with these friendly people; it wasn’t so hard. In fact, it was easy. I just had to tell them why I wanted the job, and I already knew the answer to that question. I replied to what they asked the best I could, asked any questions about the job that I had myself, and didn’t forget to hand them my resume. Everybody still seemed happy when it was over; I left the room feeling more than confident. Two hours later they called, congratulating me on getting my first choice internship at the local branch of the Salvation Army.

I am now on my 6th and final week of my internship experience. As I inch closer to my last day, I feel sadder than I thought I’d be. I have learned a copious amount of information in a number of different fields. Since I’m working at a service center, I’ve seen needy people everyday that come in for the free food pantry or for hot meals on the weekends; I’ve worked in the office and made referrals to other local organizations for individuals to receive help; I’ve made photo-copies, taken phone-calls, and updated computer documents; I was even able to teach three young musicians and help out in beginner bands at the Salvation Army’s annual Music Conservatory. I’ve had such a broad amount of experience over these past six weeks and I know what I’ve learned is invaluable. The fact that the internship is paid made it all even sweeter; luckily I’m putting it directly into a college savings account, or I’d probably have spent it already on CDs.

Dual enrollment has some disadvantages in terms of time and money, but for many students, it offers intellectually exciting options not offered in their high schools. It also demonstrates to prospective colleges that they can perform and hold their own alongside older, mature peers. Students who take part in dual enrollment can benefit from several advantages:

It allows gifted kids to fulfill their potential. If your school is lacking Advanced Placement options or if you have a unique subject of interest, then dual enrollment allows you to take matters into your own hands. Colleges offer a diverse array of course offerings that extend far beyond what you can learn in high school. Instead of languishing in classes in that don't challenge or inspire you, check out the interesting options (as well as their prerequsites) at a local college.

It improves academic readiness. By immersing yourself in college-level work early on, you'll be more prepared once you do enter college. Many freshman are surprised by the amount of reading and the quality of work required by college instructors. Dual enrollment programs help get students comfortably acquainted with the idea of college and eliminates the intimidation factor, especially among first-generation collegegoers and underrepresented minorities.

It gives a boost in college admissions. Many colleges look upon dual enrollment favorably, since it's a sign that the student can complete challenging and advanced coursework. So does that mean you should cram in as many college-level courses as possible to impress your future admissions committee? Not exactly. Brian Taylor, Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Texas at Austin, writes, "We look positively upon students who take the recommended rather than the required high school courses. But ... the reason to take and succeed in your classes is not just to possibly get a favorable offer of admission to all the colleges on your wish list. The bigger thing to focus on is getting the best preparation for your academic future."

Dual enrollment laws vary by state, and each school district may implement it in a different way. (Some may offer college classes on high school campuses by hiring professors; others may have relationships with local community colleges.) Ask your guidance counselor about the options you have if you want to pursue dual enrollment.

Previously, we talked about the growing numbers of high school students taking part in dual enrollment programs that allow them to earn college credit before they ever receive a fat envelope. Before you sign up, here are some of the disadvantages to keep in mind:

 
It might cost money. Many dual enrollment programs try to save their students money by offering free or reduced tuition classes. However, if yours doesn't, you'll have to pay for tuition, as well as textbooks and coursepacks. On the other hand, dual enrollment gives you the chance to finish basic requirements before entering your freshman year of college. Classes at a community college, even if you pay for them, may be cheaper than the ones at a four-year university, so you might wind up saving money. You have to make sure, however, that your future college will allow you to transfer the credits.

It takes time. College classes come with more course material and more reading than what you may be used to. In addition to the time you'll spend on the more difficult coursework, you should also factor in commuting to class if your high school doesn't offer college classes on campus.  Most students dual enroll during their junior or senior years, the same time when they're studying for standardized tests and applying for colleges. These responsibilities will already demand much of your attention. Also keep in mind that senior year will be a period when you'll want to spend time with friends and family. Overcommitting yourself might not be the best idea.

It may be too difficult. Because college coursework is more rigorous, you should be sure that you're prepared to be challenged. Even if an instructor is teaching a college class on a high school campus, he or she is usually required to have an advanced degree on the subject or may be a professor hired for the job. For those taking classes on a college campus, remember that you won't be treated like a high school student in the lecture hall, so you'll have to perform above and beyond usual expectations to compete with your fellow classmates. If you're intimidated, try out summer classes at your local community college instead of academic-year classes at a big university. Remember, grades in these classes carry over to your college transcript (if you want the credits to count), so they'll will be with you for the rest of your undergraduate education.

On the other hand, dual enrollment is often a blessing for students who feel stifled by unchallenging coursework. Check back tomorrow for some of the advantages to getting a head start on college.

The state of Texas recently passed a new law that requires high schools to offer students the opportunity to earn up to 12 hours of college credit, a mandate that is part of a growing "dual enrollment" trend. In hopes of making college a realistic goal for students who might not have the resources to attend, more and more school districts are offering dual enrollment programs so students can spend less time and money as undergraduates.

Dual enrollment is not the same as Advanced Placement. The latter refers to advanced classes in high school that prepare students to take an exam in the spring. If you receive a passing score on the AP exam, it qualifies you to receive college credit. However, some elite colleges require a higher score than others, and not all colleges accept credit you earn in high school (whether it's through dual enrollment or through AP tests), though it may allow you to skip prerequisites.

In the past, dual enrollment meant taking college classes and earning college credit in addition to attending high school. The classes were usually off-campus (or online), and the colleges offering them weren't associated with the high school. Today, more and more high schools are becoming receptive to the idea of introducing college-level coursework to their students and allowing students to earn both high school and college credit with them. In Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College teaches dual credit classes on high school campuses to over 16,000 students. There are even "early college high schools" that work with low-income, underrepresented minorities who might not consider college otherwise. They offer a high school diploma and an Associate's degree through four years of advanced courses.

Dual enrollment may or may not be right for you, depending on your high school and your specific needs. Check back next week for some of the pros and cons you'll need to know to decide if dual enrollment is right for you.

With a few extra limbs, Olivia Duell could start a one-woman band. The rising Dryden High School student has studied piano since age six, has participated in state and local choruses for several years, and is currently the lead chair in her school's jazz band for which she plays the saxophone. The essay she wrote about how she narrowed down her college options won her spot on our website as a guest blogger chronicling her senior year and her search for the perfect school to match her musical talents.

Not only is she musically gifted, but Olivia is as accomplished in the classroom as she is on stage. Ranked tenth in her class, the honor student was named the Advanced Placement US History Student of the Year and serves as the vice president of the National Honor Society chapter at her school.

What's next for this scholar musician? A big-city school and a career in the music industry. Olivia, who is from Dryden, New York and is "intensely fascinated" with New York City, has wanted to attend New York University ever since she learned of its highly competitive Recorded Music program. An avid consumer of music, she says, " I simply [can]not get my hands on enough new bands to listen to." Last summer, she took a music production class which taught her how to create tracks using software like GarageBand.

"I really love playing music, but I love listening to it more," Olivia says. "I’d love a career that would allow me to somehow interact with bands, producers, [and] music magazines."

This summer, her talent is being put to good use at the Salvation Army Music Conservatory, where she is a music instructor for children. (Her internship was arranged through a United Way program that pairs up high school students with local community organizations.)

Besides NYU, she's also considering schools like Ithaca College, Cornell University, Drexel University, and Northeastern. After visiting campuses and narrowing down her choices, she's certain that all of the schools who made it on her final list will offer a  "comfortable fit".

But until then, she's teaching herself guitar.

Starting next week, read the MyCollegeOptions blog to follow Olivia through her senior year of high school as she makes crucial decisions about where her lifelong passion for music will lead.