Early Admit
Things to Know About Early Admit
If you are currently a qualified high school student, then Kapi‘olani CC can offer you the opportunity to take courses that apply to both your high school and undergraduate academic credit.
In Hawai‘i, high school students taking Early Admit courses are more likely to enroll in higher education after graduation than students who have not earned college credits. Furthermore, this program serves the College’s core mission of providing open access to higher education opportunities in pursuit of academic, career, and lifelong learning goals to Hawai‘i’s diverse communities.
While the Early Admit program offers many benefits, it may not be appropriate for every student. A student may have the intellectual ability to take college-level courses and still not possess the corresponding maturity or social skills, at the current time, to truly thrive in the program. Ultimately, prospective students and their families are best positioned to evaluate how good a match the program is for the student.
The College urges potential Early Admit students and their families to seriously consider how the Early Admit program experience differs from their high school before applying to the program: the College’s relationship to students, rigors of the curriculum, faculty credentials, campus population, and resources.
First and foremost, potential Early Admit students and their families need to be aware that compared to high schools, colleges have a significantly different relationship with their students. Traditionally, high schools have a custodial relationship with their students and are deemed to act in the place of a parent while the student is at the school (i.e., in loco parentis). Colleges do not have this custodial relationship. Rather, college students are presumed to be adults capable of acting without custodial supervision. Consequently, parents of college students do not have the same rights as they do in the high school setting. For example, parents should be aware that, pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), they are not entitled to see their child’s educational records maintained by the College. For more information on FERPA, please see the Parents’ Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: Rights Regarding Children’s Educational Records (pdf).
Academically, Early Admit students are expected to meet the rigors of a college-level curriculum, regardless of where the college course is taught. College success is linked to priorities and time management. The common formula for determining the amount of time required for a college-level course suggests that for every credit hour of instruction, students should study 2-3 hours per week outside of class. A typical college course is 3 credits; therefore, students should be studying 6-9 hours per week. Devoting the necessary class and study time will require a strong sense of priority. Early Admit students will also start an official University of Hawai‘i transcript—their performance in the Early Admit class will impact their subsequent college enrollment and financial aid after graduating from high school.
Kapi‘olani Community College takes a great deal of care in hiring its employees and teaching faculty. Applicants go through a series of screenings by multiple committees to ensure they are a good fit for the College and our students. Also, they do not go through the same background screening process the State Department of Education employs. More information on our faculty’s responsibilities and workload can be found at the University of Hawai‘i’s Professional Assembly 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement, “Professional Responsibilities and Workload”.
Potential Early Admit students that anticipate taking classes offered at Kapi‘olani Community College should be aware that, unlike public high schools, the College maintains a campus generally open to any member of the public. For more information about campus safety please visit Campus Safety & Emergency Management.
Kapi‘olani Community College is extremely proud of its diverse student body. Students will be exposed to individuals who have different life experiences and a wide range of backgrounds. In particular, potential Early Admit students and their families should be aware that if the student is taking classes at the College, they will be taking classes primarily with adults. The average age of a Kapi‘olani Community College student is 25 years. Other college students may assume that Early Admit students are older than they actually are by virtue of their taking college classes. Also, during class discussions, Dual Credit students may be exposed to content and ideas that some may consider not to be “age-appropriate” or outside of what would be discussed in a typical high school setting.
Finally, Kapi‘olani Community College encourages all of its prospective students to be aware of the resources it offers to help them reach their full potential:
Kapi‘olani Community College enthusiastically welcomes all potential Early Admit students. The College wants to empower students with sufficient information to determine whether the Early Admit program is right for them. Additional information about the Early Admit program is available from high school counselors or Sheldon Tawata, the Kuilei Outreach Program Coordinator, at sheldont@hawaii.edu or (808) 734-9842.
Important Information
Do I need placement test scores of ENG 100 and at least MATH 82 even though I am not taking a writing and/or math course?
Yes. This is one way for us to determine if you are ready for the rigors of a college course plus it will provide you more options should you want to take more courses in future semesters.
Why is the deadline so early?
We are one of the largest colleges in the state of Hawai‘i therefore our courses fill up fast. We want to make sure you enroll in courses that meets your high school graduation requirements and/or at times that fits your high school schedule.
Is there financial aid for Early Admit students?
Unfortunately no. Federal financial aid are for students who graduated from high school and are enrolled in a degree program. However, please check with your high school counselor for possible Early Admit scholarships for high school students.
As a Early Admit student, can I use the campus resources?
Yes, of course! You are actually a Kapi‘olani Community College student so you are free to use all the resources available like tutoring, the Library, and counseling to name a few. This goes for students taking our courses on a high school campus and/or online.
Will my instructors know that I am still in high school?
Actually, no. The instructors are simply provided a list of names of who is enrolled in their course(s), nothing more. Some instructors have ice breaker activities, which is when your status as a high school student may be revealed.
Will my lessons be different from the other students?
No. You will be treated like any other college student in the course. Important tip: for every credit hour you are in class, you are expected to study 2 to 3 hours a week outside of class. Since most courses are 3-credit, you are expected to study 6 to 9 hours per week outside of class. Please practice effective time management!
Are the classes hard?
You are enrolled in college courses so the expectations will be high, which goes for all of our students. Please remember that you have access to all of our resources. Also, please do not hesitate to communicate with us and your instructors should you have any questions or concerns.
Will the courses I take at Kapi‘olani Community College transfer?
Yes! Students have continued to take courses with us after graduating from high school to either complete an Associate’s degree and/or complete some General Education bachelor’s degree requirements. Early Admit students have transferred to our local colleges plus other colleges like Stanford, Cal Poly, Cornell, Northwestern, and Yale to name a few.
Will my parents/legal guardian have access to my grades and courses?
No. Students at the college are protected by FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act).
Early Admit Checklist
- Talk with your high school counselor about Early Admit.
- Complete the Early Admit application.
- Complete the Online Application and read through the instructions CAREFULLY about taking college courses while still in high school.
- Complete the Title IX and Mandatory Reporting Form (pdf) and submit it to your high school counselor.
- Take the Placement Test.
- Prospective Early Admit students MUST place into at least ENG 100 and MATH 82 to be eligible
- If eligible, ALL documents must be submitted BY THE DEADLINE. Summer and Fall is April 1st, and Spring is October 15th.
Apply Now!
You feel it in the air and the warmth of the sun. You want to learn at a school in touch with the natural rhythm of Hawai’i. You’ll fit right in at Kapi’olani Community College. You’re more than ready!