If you are an ambitious, talented high school junior or senior ready to take on an extra challenge, then Montgomery College's Early Placement Program may be just the ticket for you.  Whether you are enrolled in Montgomery County Public Schools, or are a private or home-schooled student, Early Placement enables you to enhance your schedule with college course work and experience the independence of college-level study.

Eligibility Requirements

For standard admission into the Early Placement Program, students will:

1. Have completed their sophomore year prior to their participation in the program,
2. Have an articulated plan for school and college attendance during their junior and/or senior years, which will include all courses required for high school  graduation with time remaining in the schedule to include college courses.
3. Have an overall 3.0 (unweighted) cumulative grade point average at the end of their sophomore year or an overall 2.75 (unweighted) cumulative grade point average at the end of their junior year (verified by a copy of their high school transcript).
4. Have the approval of a parent (or guardian), high school counselor, and if necessary, the principal.
5. Home-school students: Submit verification from your county's home school program office, indicating that you are registered with the local school system as home schooled.

Under extraordinary circumstances:

6. Be a student in a public or private school, or equivalent, who does not meet the requirements in number 3 above, but whose achievement in a certain field of study is clearly exceptional. This achievement may be documented through testing or other means deemed necessary by the relevant dean, department chair or faculty, and it must surpass the level of courses offered by the school attended. The College may admit the student upon the recommendation of the high school counselor or principal. The approval of the Dean of Student Development on the campus where the course is to be taken is also required.
7. Students applying to the Early Placement program must be at least age 16.  Students under age 16 must be interviewed by the Dean of Students to obtain an exception to the age requirement, however students must meet the standard requirement for admission.

Course Availability

Most college-level classes offered for credit, whether day, evening or extension center offerings, are open to Early Placement students. However, the classes taken at Montgomery College are limited to those that are above and beyond what is offered at the high school. If the course is offered in high school, students should take the course at the high school. Students can register for fall, winter, spring, and summer sessions.

Application Procedures

1. Meet with your high school counselor or home school provider to discuss your program of study at MC.
2. Obtain the counselor's written approval for MC courses listed on the Early Placement Recommendation form.
3. Submit an MC Admissions Application and a $25 non-refundable application fee.
4. Take assessment/placement tests, if necessary.
5. Meet with an MC counselor. Bring your completed Early Placement Recommendation form (signed by your counselor) and copy of your high school transcript to the meeting.

Submit a Credit Registration/Schedule Change form together with your signed Early Placement Recommendation form to the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management, and arrange for payment of your classes.
 

Financial Assistance 

Early Placement students are not eligible for federal financial aid. You may be eligible for certain grants:

Maryland State Dual Enrollment Grant
MC Board of Trustees High School Grant
MC College Institute Grant

For more information about these grant programs, please contact the scholarships and grants program director at  240-567-7552 or e-mail patricia.lopez@montgomerycollege.edu.