1. Who can join the Fast Track program?
2. Why should I join?
3. How can this program help me?
4. What is Cañada College?
5. What is concurrent enrollment?
6. What if I'm not sure that I want to go into the Healthcare field, but I want to check it out?
7. Do I have to complete all four of the courses?
8. Are college courses harder than high school?
9. Will these courses be on my permanent academic file?
10. Will my college transcripts show that these courses were taken at a high school?
11. How much will this cost?
12. What are the cost savings?
13. Do I have to leave my high school campus?
14. When are these classes?
15. Do I have to fill out paperwork or apply to the Fast Track program?
16. Who can help me if I am struggling with these courses?
17. Who will be teaching the courses?
18. Will I be certified at the end of the program?
19. Do I get high school credits for the program?
20. Are there other courses that I can take for college credit at my high school?
21. Do I have to take a placement test?
22. Do I have to buy books?
23. How do I get started?
1. Who can join the Fast Track program?
Students at EPA Academy with a GPA of 2.0 can join the Fast Track program.
2. Why should I join?
There really is no reason not to join.
- You earn both high school and college credit for the courses that you take.
- You gain exposure to the medical/health industry and explore the wide range of career opportunities that may be of interest to you.
- By taking college courses while still in high school, you don't waste time during your senior year if you have already completed your graduation requirements.
- You can save the cost of college tuition for one semester worth of classes
3. How can this program help me?
Fast Track helps ease your transition into community college and/or the workforce by providing:
- Courses that are designed for high school students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare
- High school counselors to provide guidance and assistance with the transition into college level learning
- Summer Bridge Program (1-2 week program) to prepare students with training in study skills, time management, learning styles, and career counseling, while creating a support network for their college education
- College counselors to assist students with course and career choices at the community college
- Nearly 1 semester of college credit (10 units) at no cost to the student - bringing you closer to your educational and career goals.
4. What is Cañada College?
Cañada College is a part of the San Mateo Community College District of California Community Colleges. The campus is located in Redwood City near Hwy 280 and has a student population of approximately 6000. The college offers Technical Training Certificates, Associate (2-year) degrees, and opportunities for Bachelor (4-year) degrees through the University Center. It is a great place to learn right in your own community. Check out our website: www.canadacollege.edu
5. What is concurrent enrollment?
Basically you are registered as both a high school and college student and the courses that you take through concurrent enrollment are counted for both high school and college credit. Check out this link for more info: https://websmart.smccd.edu/futures/default.html
6. What if I'm not sure that I want to go into the Healthcare field, but I want to check it out?
That's cool. Talk to your high school counselor and discuss how the Fast Track program will fit in to your education and career plans. You may want to take one or more courses for college credit regardless of your future career goals. And...the courses you take through the Fast Track program are transferable to other colleges.
7. Do I have to complete all four of the courses?
No. While the Fast Track program is a two-year program and includes four courses, if you find that for some reason you do not wish to continue with the program you do not have to complete all four courses.
8. Are college courses harder than high school?
Yes. Generally college courses may seem harder than high school, but often the content of the courses is similar. One major difference is that students are given more responsibility for their own learning in a college level course. Enrolling in the Fast Track program can help students transition from high school to college level learning with the support of teachers and counselors. As part of the Fast Track program students will have access to the counseling and learning center support services at Cañada College.
9. Will these courses be on my permanent academic file?
Yes. Concurrent enrollment means that you are receiving college credit and these grades will remain on your academic record. That means that you should take these courses seriously and plan to study. If for some reason you earn a grade that you are not happy with, you can retake the course at a community college at a later date.
10. Will my college transcripts show that these courses were taken at a high school?
Nope. The courses that you take through concurrent enrollment will appear on your college transcript as a regular college course with no indication that you are a high school student or that the courses were taught at your high school.
11. How much will this cost?
Nothing. As a high school student enrolled through the Fast Track program, you will pay no college tuition or fees and textbooks will be supplied by your high school.
12. What are the cost savings?
Huge. By enrolling in the Fast Track program you will be 1 semester (12 units) ahead in your college education and will save roughly:
- Resident Tuition (per unit) $20 x 12units = $240
- Student Fees $25 per semester = $25
- Parking Fees $35 per semester = $35
- Books $350 (est. new) = $350
Total $650
13. Do I have to leave my high school campus?
No. The courses in the Fast Track program are taught on the EPA Academy campus.
14. When are these classes?
The courses offered through the Fast Track program will be during the regular high school day as part of your normal class schedule.
15. Do I have to fill out paperwork or apply to the Fast Track program?
Yes. Your high school Guidance Counselor will have all of the necessary materials to get you registered in concurrent enrollment. This is an important part of the program and must be completed to receive college credit for the courses.
16. Who can help me if I am struggling with these courses?
The course instructor and your high school counselor are available to help you in the event that you are struggling with your concurrent enrollment courses. You may also want to check out the counseling and learning center support services at Cañada College. If you need help...just ask.
17. Who will be teaching the courses?
Most likely your instructor will be Cañada College faculty, but in special cases you may have an EPA Academy teacher who meets the community college teaching requirements.
18. Will I be certified at the end of the program?
No. This program is not a certificate program, but rather a bridge to further education or training in the health sciences.
19. Do I get high school credits for the program?
Yes. You will receive high school credits that count toward your graduation. In general, your high school transcripts will show two lines for each concurrent enrollment course: one line will indicate that it is a high school class with the appropriate grades and units and the other line will show it as a college course. Talk to your high school counselor to find out which courses meet special requirements for graduation and to plan your academic progress and success.
20. Are there other courses that I can take for college credit at my high school?
Contact your high school counselor for more information about concurrent enrollment offerings.
21. Do I have to take a placement test?
No. As a student in the Fast Track program at EPA Academy, you are not required to take any placement exams. If you register for courses offered at Cañada College, placement exams may be required.
22. Do I have to buy books?
No. Textbooks will be provided by EPA Academy and will be subject to the same rules and regulations as your regular textbooks.
23. How do I get started?
Easy. Read through the brochure and/or website about the Fast Track program. Then contact your high school counselor to discuss your interest in the program and how it will fit into your academic and career plans. Your counselor will help you with the required documents and application.
Program Overview
Course Listing
Contact
To the best of our knowledge the information on this page is accurate. However, you should consult your high school counselor or the program office at Cañada (650) 306-3321 for current program facts.