Early Admissions

Early Admissions Information

High school juniors and seniors may wish to enroll in college courses while still in high school that do not earn high school dual enrollment credit. Early Admissions allows students to get a head start on their college career without having those credits transcribed to their high school records. Potential Early Admissions students must meet all SOWELA admissions requirements and provide a letter of recommendation from their school designee. This program is an excellent option for students who have completed all high school graduation requirements and still have time to earn college credits before their high school graduation.

Please note that courses taken through the Early Admissions program will not count for credit toward the student's high school diploma or substitute for any high school graduation course requirements.

All high school participants are expected to adhere to all college, course, and instructor requirements.

Step 1: Complete a SOWELA online visiting student admissions application (opens new window).

Special Notes for Completing the Online Admissions Application:

Click "Sign Up" (under "Don't have an account yet?") using a unique email address. Fill out the personal information and account email/username and password boxes. Please do not use high school-issued email addresses to avoid verification issues.
Once your email address is verified, please sign into your admissions application account and select the appropriate upcoming term. Hit Apply Now to begin the online admissions application.
Please be sure to select "currently enrolled in high school" and "yes" to “Will you still be in high school when starting classes?” to be coded as a high school Dual Enrollment eligible student.
All dual enrollment students must select Non-Degree as their upcoming Major. Please choose the campus you will be attending. If you will be attending online courses only or courses taught on your high school campus, please select Main Campus.

Step 2: Gather and Submit Admissions Documents

See your high school counselor to obtain the following documents for registration:
- Students must complete the online application for admission found on SOWELA’s website and submit the Early Admissions Course Request Form with student and parent signature, available via email at dualenrollment@sowela.edu.
- High school transcript with cumulative GPA calculated out of a 4.0 system
- Letter of recommendation from your high school counselor or principal
- Minimum test scores of 18 in English and 19 in Math (MATH 1100 - College Algebra requires a minimum of 20 in Math) on the ACT or 250+ in Writing and 225+ in Advanced Algebra and Functions (MATH 1100 - College Algebra requires a minimum of 250+ in Advanced Algebra and Functions) on the ACCUPLACER Next Generation exam.

General Admission and Participation Requirements

Grade Point Average of 3.000 (out of a 4.000 system).
A letter from the high school counselor or principal recommending them for enrollment. Home school students must have a letter from someone outside the home that is aware of the student's academic progress.
An official high school transcript. Documentation of approval for homeschooling from BESE will also be accepted.
Students must meet all college admission and registration requirements and procedures.
Students must meet college-level entrance requirements on either the ACT or ACCUPLACER exam.
Students must pay course tuition, book costs, and fees.
Students may enroll in up to 15 credit hours of face-to-face or online instruction per semester.

Entry Requirements for the Technical Courses

High school GPA: 2.0
Students must meet course-specific prerequisites including, but not limited to, appropriate scores on either the ACT or ACCUPLACER Next-Generation exam.

Entry Requirements for General Education

High school GPA: 2.5
Either ACT Scores (English - 18+ or Math - 19+ (MATH 1100 requires a minimum of 20+)) or ACCUPLACER Next-Generation Scores (Writing - 250+ or Advanced Algebra and Functions - 225+ (MATH 1100 requires a minimum of 250+))

Please note that the LA Board of Regents requirements for entry into General Education courses and Technical Courses is lower than SOWELA's Early Admissions criteria. Students must meet the SOWELA Early Admissions criteria for admission into the program.

High school students enrolled in courses taught by SOWELA instructors are assessed tuition and fees for at full price. As an example, a student enrolled in a 3-credit hour face-to-face course taught by a SOWELA instructor can expect to be assessed $566.88. A complete tuition and fee chart can be found on our Student Accounts page.

For certain courses, other fees may be applicable such as lab fees, online registration fee, online access codes, and textbooks or other materials.