PSEO stands for Post-Secondary Enrollment Options, a program in which Minnesota students are permitted to enroll in college courses while still completing their high school requirements. Participation in this dual credit program means students take college classes taught by professors on a college campus or online.

To participate in PSEO, students must meet the admissions requirements of the post-secondary institution they want to attend and submit an application. They must be in 11th or 12th grade as well. If accepted, students meet with an advisor and begin preparation for their studies.

I was enrolled in PSEO classes, and what I loved most about them were the independence they inspired and the freedom they gave me. I chose which classes I wanted to take and was able to decide when I wanted to take them, refining my academic schedule. I was done with most of my classes by the early afternoon because all of my online classes were self-paced. I, therefore, enjoyed having the rest of the day to myself. Despite it demanding individualistic motivation and time management, a schedule with PSEO courses is one that is non-compromising.

I enjoyed that PSEO classes encouraged my productive nature as well. Because being a PSEO student means confronting the expectations of being proactive in your education, managing your time effectively and seeking assistance when needed, your academic experience is always a constant responsibility. Because the college students are more mature and serious about education, it was easier for me to focus on my classes and not become distracted.

PSEO classes are incredible within themselves, as they present students with a wider variety of subjects in comparison to what high schools have. In consequence, students are permitted opportunities to explore their interests and navigate academic paths and do this all within college environments. Accessing college resources and interacting with college faculty in these environments instills confidence within students who are preparing for a formal college education.

Most important of all, the Minnesota Department of Education oversees the PSEO program, and all tuition, fees and required textbooks are commonly covered by it. This means that participation in the programs should not be dependent on cost. Although students should ensure the credits they earn through PSEO will be accepted by the college they plan to attend, many of them are transferable. This means that earning college credits in high school through PSEO can accelerate a student’s path to graduation, and students have the opportunity to complete the college degree they desire in fewer years, saving them time and money.

All in all, PSEO is a good choice because it encourages financial savings, allows students to begin their college education and promotes academic rigor.

PSEO, or Post Secondary Enrollment Options, is a great way for a prospective college student to jump-start their education. However, it isn’t for everyone. Just like there are a variety of reasons for someone to do PSEO, there are many reasons not to. 

First off, PSEO is college classes taken in high school, meaning you either have to take them asynchronously or go to the actual campus. This isn’t really that big of a deal, but some people either hate asynchronous classes, can’t get to campus on time or both. Another major factor is that PSEO classes require you to go through Park to sign up for college courses and enroll, which adds a whole new layer of communication to deal with, while dropping classes you currently have and somehow making it all work cohesively. That, on top of trying to not have the enrollment process screw up your transcript, is quite the undertaking in and of itself. In order to enroll, you have to switch out of a course, but that shows up on your transcript as you having dropped a course, which looks bad. The process also isn’t super well explained by the school, so it can be difficult to figure out how to go about it even if you want to. Personally, I could never find time for the registration, and so I never did PSEO. It was such a hassle that I just didn’t bother doing it. Is it helpful? Absolutely. Is it necessary? Nope. Is it practical? Depends on who you ask.

Students taking PSEO have a lot to keep track of. Applying, registering for classes, taking those classes and figuring out how to do all of this in the first place are all things that need to be considered and kept in mind. Some students can do this, but high school is hectic. You have to balance prepping for life as an adult, keeping your grades up, any sports or clubs you might do, a part-time job if you have one and more. This is already a huge strain on a high schooler, and none of it is to be taken lightly. It’s a serious commitment to just be a normal high schooler, and taking college courses through PSEO only magnifies the pressure.

Additionally, not everyone plans to go to college. For reasons similar to whether or not you should take AP classes, if you’re not going to college, there is no point. AP tests and PSEO’s primary benefit only comes into play if you want to go to college, but if you want to work or take a gap year or two, it doesn’t matter in the slightest if you do either. Nobody wants to waste time on something they aren’t going to use, doubly so if it’s a difficult balancing act to make it work.

PSEO is a great way to jump-start your college career, but only your college career. If you want to take any other path, it’s almost completely worthless and only serves to act as an extremely difficult and taxing high school class. Ultimately, it is up to each student which to choose, but it is worth keeping the toll it takes in mind when choosing. It’s no good if you get college credit, only to burn out and not use it.