On Feb. 5, 2024, students who had taken Honors English 1 in middle school received an informative email telling them that although they had taken the class, some colleges may not view the course as “potable,” meaning an accepted credit when considering their applicants.
“The email is just to bring awareness to [the] varying entrance requirements of selective colleges and universities. Colleges and universities that are more selective may have a more specific requirement in terms of English classes,” said OH Student Services Director Patti Marcinko.
While this email does not mean all universities are similar, it left students nervous about their college of choice and whether they would have to figure out how to obtain the missing credit.
“It made me anxious thinking [that] my top college could potentially change my acceptance based [on] a class I took three years ago,” said OH junior graduate Josie Eggert.
However, the issue wasn’t as detrimental as students initially thought. Although a couple of colleges do not accept the credit, a majority of them have no problem accepting the high school English class available to students still in eighth grade.
“Typically, a college will accept the four credits that are listed on a student’s transcript, even if one of those credits was taken in junior high,” said Marcinko.
Some schools don’t have any course requirements for acceptance, as long as the student seems prepared to graduate and move on to college. For example, Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA, does not require certain class sequences to apply.
“[A]s long as [students] have the required credits needed to graduate, we accept all courses, no matter if [they were] taken in middle school,” said Ivery Marquez, a Midwest admissions counselor at Pepperdine.
Even though most universities will accept students who took Honors English 1 in middle school, there are a couple of schools OH counselors are aware of that will not accept the credit.
“[The] University of Michigan and the University of California, Berkeley, are two of which I am aware [will not accept the credit]. I would encourage students to ask questions and investigate all admissions requirements as they complete their college searches,” said Marcinko.
Although the information in the email may not affect all students, it is still important to keep in touch with top college choices. Students can do this by contacting the admissions office and asking any needed questions, as every college has different requirements when it comes to courses.
“[S]tudents [should] investigate their potential colleges and work with their counselor to develop a four-year plan that will meet the requirements for the colleges and universities of their choice,” said Marcinko.
Hi, my name is Allison and this is my first year in Digital Journalism. I am in multiple clubs such as BIONIC, Commotion, and multiple different honor societies! I am so excited to be a new member on the 42Fifty team.
Great info! Good writing Allison!