Welcome to Early College Academic Advising
Seeking help navigating Early College & dual credit during high school? CEI is committed to providing supportive student resources to promote success during your college journey. College advisors can help with:
- Exploring pathways & careers
- Selecting relevant courses
- Blending high school & college schedules
- Academic intervention & support
- Pursuing high credit count during high school, like an associate degree or Idaho’s General Education Matriculation (GEM) requirements
- Understanding transfer & transition
- Connecting to campus resources
Meet Your Advisor
Katie has been advising students for nearly 5 years. Working with a variety of students and their goals, Katie is passionate about helping high school students save money efficiently and save real time by taking coursework relevant to their future goals. Pursuing college credit during high school can be complicated. Katie is an expert at helping students prioritize their high school extracurriculars while also discovering an authentic college experience.
An Idaho transplant, Katie loves the outdoors. She’s an avid runner, reader, and people-person. When she’s not working with high school students, you’ll likely find her wrangling her three young children or eating sushi with her husband.
CEI Catalyst Program
The CEI Catalyst program provides guidance and structured support to high school students working on distinct goals. Catalyst students receive individualized advising and customized degree plans focused on their unique goals. Students benefit from mentorship and activities that provide a deep connection to the college experience and prepare them for what comes next.
Who should join?
The program focuses on a wide variety of student goals. Students who are successful in the program are typically focused on specific goals such as:
- Earning an associate degree in high school
- Earning industry certifications that lead to higher wages
- Completing prerequisite courses for competitive college programs
- Entering on-campus programs during senior year
- Maximizing state funding without wasting time
- Seeking mentorship and structure to prepare for life after high school
When can you join?
9th – 12th grade. Students seeking an associate degree during high school should join by 10th grade.
What are the benefits?
Students receive individualized advising from the college in partnership with their high school. They will also find personalized help in navigating degree pathways & random left-turns. In this program, students also receive access to:
- Opportunities for leadership
- Activities for career & degree exploration
- Connection to other students with similar goals
- Defined expectations & clear academic plans
- College mentorship
What do students commit to?
At the beginning of the program, students will participate in a program orientation. Students should expect to meet with their college advisor no less than 2x per year, and may meet with their advisor as often as they need. They will also experience various other volunteer & leadership opportunities and career/personality assessments.
Things to Consider
- Not all college classes are applicable to every college degree. Meeting with a CEI advisor early and often is key to a successful transition.
- Students completing an associate degree during high school should prepare for a freshman experience that is different from their peers.
- College coursework is rigorous and time-consuming. Plan your week with more study time than you are used to.
- Grades matter! The college grades you earn are recorded on your high school and college transcript, and these grades can lead to scholarships and honors recognition.
- What comes next? Students who earn an associate degree should plan on declaring their bachelor’s degree early. If you’re not sure about your path, talking to your CEI advisor can help you build confidence in your next steps.