Emma Mayes

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Cayla Cole

Age: 18 | Hometown: West Helena
High School: Central High School
Future Career Goals: To promote and innovate sustainability

Staying ahead is the key to success, and Cayla’s high school schedule embodies this. She is taking concurrent credit to jump-start her career as an environmental lawyer. Concurrent enrollment allows students to earn college credit at the same time they obtain credit toward a high school diploma.

“While being dual-enrolled, your workload will look a lot different compared to other students – so prepare yourself to put in the work.”

However, she advised future students that even if they are not completely sure on taking this path, it still wouldn’t hurt to take the required prerequisite courses so they will still be ahead of the game. She didn’t know if the path was beneficial for her until her last semester of taking classes.

“At some point, I had to understand that I’m in control of my own decisions.”

In college, she plans to major in Agriculture and Regulatory science with a focus in plant and soil science and environmental biology because of her passion for the world around her and its condition. With Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas already being connected to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, she knew her credits would move alongside her. 

Choosing PCCUA was easy for her, not just because it is close to her home and affordable, but because the school cares about its students and tries its best to put each and every student in their best position. 

Looking forward, her future plans are to attend Lewis and Clark Law School to become an environmental lawyer – a job where she hopes to help fight against corporations that pollute our planet, put it at risk and help find sustainable alternative methods for production. 

“It all feels and seems too good to be true, but this is very beneficial for me because my community college is directly connected to a university that allows all transfer credits and provides a discounted price,” Cole said. “Many students in other states might not have this system so obtaining their associates might not be as easy.”

What You Need to Know

Advantages
Concurrent credit reduces the time and costs needed to complete a degree (aka–graduate college faster!) and can help create a smooth transition from high school to college. These courses can also give you a competitive edge on college applications.

Cost
In some cases, high school students may be able to take college-level courses to earn high school and college credit concurrently for no additional costs. However, costs can vary by high school and school district. Students may be expected to cover the cost of related textbooks, materials or administrative fees.

Admissions Requirements
Requirements may vary by high school and school district. Some requirements include having a certain level of academic standing or GPA and being in an approved grade level to enroll. Sometimes there are placement tests to prove readiness for college-level work. Parental and/or guidance counselor approval may be required too. 

Housing
We hate to break it to you, but you have a few more years at home, as you’ll do your concurrent credit while you’re still in high school.