Interviews

Interview with Kim Knobel, Concurrent Enrollment Alumni

• CollegeNow: "Kim, how many college credits did you have when you graduated from high school? What classes did you take?"

Kim:

"When I graduated from high school I had a total of 23 credits from TC3. The courses I took were in calculus, chemistry, and English and writing courses. I also graduated with 9 credits of AP in US government and US History."

• CollegeNow: "Were you able to apply these credits toward your college degree? / Did they transfer to your current college? If so, where?"

Kim:

"All of the TC3 credits I earned transferred to the college I currently attend, SUNY Geneseo. One benefit from taking the courses is that the writing course and the chemistry courses counted towards the general education requirements. Calculus I also counted towards general education requirements but it was also required for my major, which is a BA in Physics. I also took Calculus II through TC3’s Concurrent Enrollment Program but I chose instead to retake it at my college. This proved to be beneficial because not all colleges teach calculus topics in the same sequence. The material covered for calculus II and beyond greatly varies from college to college, so I recommend retaking anything beyond calculus II. However, if you take calculus I through the Concurrent Enrollment program I would not recommend retaking it because calculus I is fairly consistent in the topics covered at each college."

• CollegeNow: "Did you save money using the Concurrent Enrollment? How much?"

Kim:

"It is hard to say at this point if I have saved money, but if the extra credits allow me to graduate a year early, then yes, it would. I believe that dual credits are beneficial not for the money saved, but for allowing a student to take less courses a semester so as not to become as stressed and to allow more flexibility in course selection and as an upperclassman to have more free space for desired courses."

• CollegeNow: "What would you say to a student considering taking a Concurrent Enrollment course right now?"

Kim:

" I would greatly recommend taking courses. One need not take a great number. Just having a college level course under one’s belt helps a student get a taste for what college is really like and the different level of intellect and commitment that it requires."

• CollegeNow: "What have you done after high school? Tell us a little bit about your aspirations, your college experience, and what you plan to do with your future."

Kim:

"Currently I am a freshman in college with a sophomore standing. I am working towards my BA degree in physics and hopefully a master’s degree in Nuclear Physics. I hope to one-day get a job in research of some type. I am also working towards studying abroad at Edinburgh University in Edinburgh, Scotland my junior year (spring and fall semester). This has been a dream of mine for quite some time and hopefully, if all goes well, I will be there in 2 years."