MODULE 2: CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLLEGE

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Choosing the Right College

Choosing the right college for PSEO is one of the most important steps in this journey. It’s more than just picking a school to attend for free—it’s about creating a plan that leads to real academic progress and saves you thousands of dollars in the long run.

In our family, we spent time really thinking this through. We weren’t even sure at first what Charlie wanted to do after high school. Would he get a business management degree? Go straight into the trades? We didn’t have all the answers, but we knew this:

✅ If he did want college after high school, we wanted him as far ahead as possible.
✅ If he didn’t—and chose the trades—having a 2-year Associate of Arts (AA) degree would still give him long-term flexibility.

That thinking shaped everything about which schools we considered.

Think Long-Term: What Are You Really Trying to Accomplish?

This is the single most important question families should ask. What is the goal of PSEO for your student?  Is it:

• Earning a 2-year degree before high school graduation?
• Exploring different subjects to see what they like?
• Knocking out general education requirements?
• Saving money on a 4-year degree later?
• Testing out college-level work while living at home?

These goals are all valid. But you need to choose one (or prioritize them) to make the best use of the program. We realized that taking “just a few classes” to explore could waste a lot of free credits. PSEO is an incredible opportunity to truly get ahead—but only if you plan carefully.

For us, aiming for a 2-year AA degree meant choosing schools that:
✅ Offered enough general education courses
✅ Made it easy to track degree progress
✅ Supported PSEO students through advising

That planning meant Charlie could graduate high school with 60+ college credits, putting him two years ahead if he chose a 4-year path—or just giving him solid credentials for life, even in the trades.

Where to See the Full List of Eligible Colleges

If you’re exploring PSEO, the Minnesota Department of Education maintains a list of all approved colleges:

This list includes:

• Public universities and community colleges
• Private colleges (many faith-based)
• Technical colleges with certificate/trades programs

Pro tip: Don’t just assume your local college is the best fit. Look at the whole list and see which schools align with your student’s goals.

The Colleges We Considered

We compared three that fit our plan for a transferable AA degree while also meeting our family's academic values:

✅ Bethel University

• Type: Private, Christian
• GPA requirement: 3.0 minimum
• Program link: https://www.bethel.edu/undergrad/admissions/apply/early-college/ 
• AA Degree? Yes
• Pros:
  • Small, personal class sizes
  • Faith-based community and curriculum
  • Professors who actually know your student
• Considerations:
  • Fully in-person (commute needed)
  • Christian worldview in all classes

    

✅ Normandale Community College

• Type: Public
• GPA requirement: 2.8 minimum or qualifying test score
• Program link: https://www.normandale.edu/admissions/apply/pseo-students/index.html 
• AA Degree? Yes
• Pros:
  • Huge range of general education classes
  • Online/in-person/hybrid options
  • Fast, efficient admissions
• Considerations:
  • Larger class sizes
  • More independence needed to navigate options

    

✅ University of Northwestern – St. Paul

• Type: Private, Christian
• GPA requirement: 3.0 minimum
• Program link: https://www.unwsp.edu/admissions/pseo-early-college/pseo/
• AA Degree? Yes
• Pros:
  • Strong dual enrollment team
  • Hybrid options (some online classes)
  • Faith-integrated learning
• Considerations:
  • Required faith statement
  • Slightly fewer elective choices  vs. big public colleges

✅ Dakota County Technical College - Rosemount

• Type: Technical
• Program link: https://www.dctc.edu/admissions/high-school-students-pseo/

Public, Private, and Technical Colleges – What’s the Difference?

Public Colleges (e.g., Normandale)

• State-funded, lower GPA thresholds
• Huge range of courses
• Great for general education
• Online and in-person flexibility

Private Colleges (e.g., Bethel, Northwestern)

• Often faith-based
• Higher GPA requirements
• Smaller classes, stronger mentoring
• Integration of religious worldview

Technical Colleges (e.g., DCTC) 

• Career-focused certificates
• Excellent for trades, auto, welding, healthcare
• Fantastic for students sure they want a skilled trade

For us: even if Charlie chose trades, having the AA would keep options open long-term.

Commuting, Parking, and Logistics

You can’t overlook the day-to-day details: These factors matter more than you’d think.

• Commute: How far? Bethel and Northwestern were a manageable drive for us. 35 mins drive. But that might mean another car for the commute, an extra car payment, extra insurance, extra gasoline, extra maintenance and oil changes, what about MNPass option, all depends on when your student has class.
• Parking: Some colleges charge for parking. Plan ahead. Bethel and Normandale offered free parking. 
• Schedules: Will your high school release your student early for afternoon classes? In 10th grade, Charlie had 1st period off dedicated to PSEO team, so his first high school class started 2nd hour.      
• Meals: Think about how long your student will be on campus, will they need to eat?
• Flexibility: Be sure to ask and review the availability of online courses and in-person classes, making it easier to schedule.

School Culture, Class Size, and Learning Fit

Ask your student:
✅ Does my student want smaller classes with personal attention?
✅ Or do they like big lectures with more anonymity?
✅ Do they want a faith-based environment?
✅ How independent are they?

Our experience:

• Bethel: 12–20 students per class, tight-knit
• Normandale: 30–40+ in some sections, many PSEO students
• Northwestern: Small classes, Christian worldview

We knew Charlie's best learning style was in person, more hands on, and needed that smaller class room experience. For others, online flexibility could be the big factor.

Your next step should be to schedule campus visits and start asking questions.

Top 10 Questions to Ask a College

Make sure the school you choose sets your student up for success. 

1️⃣ Do you have a dedicated PSEO advisor?
2️⃣ Is there a PSEO community group or orientation?
3️⃣ How does academic advising work?
4️⃣ What tutoring/support services exist?
5️⃣ What’s the average class size?
6️⃣ Are courses mostly in-person, online, or hybrid?
7️⃣ How do credits transfer to other schools?
8️⃣ What costs will I have to cover (books, fees, parking)?
9️⃣ How does registration work for PSEO students?
1️⃣0️⃣ What do other PSEO students say about their experience here?

Pro tip: A college that answers these well likely has a strong PSEO program.

What Happens If You Earn Your AA Before High School Graduation?

One of the biggest questions families have (and one we asked a LOT) is:

“If my student earns their AA degree in high school, what does that mean for college after graduation? Are they a freshman or a transfer? Will they still have to do all their generals?”

Here’s what we learned:  In most cases, if your student has an Associate of Arts (AA) degree, they are considered a transfer studentat many colleges.

• They’ve already completed their general education requirements.
• They typically enter as a junior (3rd-year standing), depending on the school.
• This can save 2 years of time and tens of thousands in tuition.

BUT it depends on the college.

• Some 4-year colleges in Minnesota guarantee that an AA degree meeting MnTC requirements      covers all generals.
• Others might have extra requirements (like religion classes at private faith-based universities).
• Technical degrees (AAS) don’t always transfer the same way.

Key Tip: Always ask any 4-year college you’re considering:
“Do you accept the full AA degree for transfer? Will my student be able to enter as a junior?” 

This was huge for us.
We wanted Charlie to have the option to:

• Transfer as a junior to a 4-year university and finish in 2 years, or
• Go into trades with an AA on his resume for future flexibility.

Because we planned for the AA degree, we made sure to choose colleges that offered enough Gen Ed courses and were part of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).

Make Colleges Answer This Clearly

When you visit or call a PSEO program, don’t be shy. Ask them directly:

“If my student earns their AA degree here while in high school, how will that be treated if they go to a 4-year university afterward?”

The best programs will have clear answers—and help you map the path.

Final Advice for Parents

PSEO is an amazing opportunity—but you have to plan.

✅ Start with the end in mind. Is your goal exploration? A 2-year degree? Saving money?
✅ Talk about options with your student. Involve them in the choice.
✅ Visit campuses and ask questions.
✅ Don’t assume you know what your student will do after graduation—but plan for flexibility.

Even if your student goes into the trades or takes a different path, having an AA degree gives them options for life.

You Can Do This

This might feel overwhelming now—but once you start asking questions, you’ll see it’s doable. Your student is capable. You’re not alone. And the right college choice can truly set them up for a lifetime of success.