PSEO at Concordia
Here's a pop quiz for you.
Which of these options do you agree with?
- A) I’d be interested in free college.
- B) It’s a good idea to immerse yourself in the college culture.
- C) Early graduation from college would be nice.
- D) All of the above
My apologies for making you take yet another quiz (even though if you’re anything like me, you could sit and take BuzzFeed quizzes all day long). Now, this quiz won’t tell you which “Parks and Rec” character you are or how many iconic teen movies you’ve seen. But, if you picked A, B, C, or D, you should definitely look into Concordia College’s PSEO program.
PSEO, more formally known as Postsecondary Enrollment Options, is a way for high school students to receive college credits for free. All juniors and seniors attending Minnesota public schools, as well as Park Christian School and Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo-Moorhead, qualify for Concordia’s PSEO program.
PSEO students get the opportunity to participate in a college campus firsthand, which gives them “a unique perspective of the college culture,” says Pete Lien, the associate director of Admission at Concordia.
They’re involved in diverse interactions and academic discussions, and are treated like any other college student. Any 100- to 200-level course is an option for students, ranging from introductory biology courses to classes focusing on global literature. Students can participate in student organizations and clubs, enhancing their experience of the true college culture at Concordia.
“What's really nice is that there's no cost to the student or the family,” says Lien. Tuition is free, and even textbooks are included in the costs. Students can enroll as a part-time or full-time PSEO student, depending on their preference. Lien believes that “the program enables high school students to enroll at the college level,” giving them access to skills that are transferable both to higher learning institutions and to the career field. It also allows students to potentially graduate from college early, saving even more money in the long run.
Tuition is free, and even textbooks are included in the costs.
It’s easy to see why PSEO at Concordia has some major benefits. My roommate, Jess, went through Concordia’s PSEO program as a full-time student her senior year of high school, and now she’s focusing her college track on pre-med majors and graduating a year before most of her high school classmates. Not a bad way to begin the journey into the higher education system.
Students interested in the PSEO program can fill out a free application on Concordia's website. This application is different from Concordia’s first-year application. The college prefers students give their most up-to-date academic information and to have test scores (like the ACT), but these scores are not required.
Unlike admission for first-year students, there is no set criteria to get into Concordia’s PSEO program. Each student is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Concordia credits transfer based solely upon the receiving institution, including the credits ranked as major credits, generals or electives.
For any questions about the PSEO program, browse Concordia’s website to scope out more information or contact an admission representative to discuss whether or not PSEO at Concordia is a good option for you.