Dual enrollment is an increasingly popular option for college-bound high school students. In its simplest form, dual enrollment allows a student to enroll in college courses and earn college credit while still in high school.

Here are three times when dual enrollment may be a better option than other programs that award college credit, such as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate.

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1. You have easy access to a dual-enrollment program that your target school acknowledges. Just as location is often critical for a business, location can be crucial to your success with dual enrollment. The key is to identify a local college or university that offers dual-enrollment options in partnership with your high school — asking a high school counselor, consulting a trusted teacher and doing some online research are all solid options.

A college-level class often has stricter requirements, both in participation and quality of work expected of students. While an AP or IB course may be superior to a standard or honors-level high school class, it is still populated by other high school students. A college course, on the other hand, may provide you with more diverse classmates of varying ages and backgrounds, along with the aforementioned higher standards.

Dual enrollment location also matters when considering your first-choice school. Colleges and universities differ wildly in which transfer credit they will accept. Harvard University, for example, does not grant credit for dual-enrollment courses. The school also doesn’t offer credit based on AP and College-Level Examination Program results. In contrast, many institutions, such as the University of Texas–Austin, do accept dual-enrollment credits.

It’s important to contact the admissions department of your first-choice school to be sure of its policies.

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2. You wish to distinguish your college application with a significant academic challenge. Nearly every student who plans to apply to an elite college has a transcript rife with AP and IB classes, depending on availability. While these credits may not transfer, admissions officials view them as a sign that students can handle difficult coursework.

Possessing one or more high quality dual-enrollment classes can be a similarly effective way of standing out among your peers. For instance, adding an online class to a full and rigorous schedule can demonstrate your willingness to rise to an academic challenge, provided the additional work does not adversely impact your grades.

A less common letter of reference is another often-overlooked advantage of taking a college course as a high school student. Many high school students will have recommendation letters from their high school teachers and coaches. Fewer students will have letters of reference from college professors.

Keep in mind, however, that receiving a great recommendation letter means cultivating the sort of personal relationship that only class time and office hours can provide.

[Get tips on selecting rigorous courses without AP or IB choices.]

3. You cannot participate in AP or IB offerings due to your schedule. AP and IB courses require a significant amount of time. The IB diploma program, in particular, includes stipulations like extracurricular volunteer work and a lengthy essay based on independent research.

If scheduling conflicts with life or work, or valuable electives like a musical performance, prevent your enrollment in AP and IB classes, it may be possible to pursue dual-enrollment options during the summer.

Speak with your guidance counselor and any partnering schools to determine your options, and remember that dual enrollment can be an excellent way to improve your competitiveness without foregoing other important commitments.

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Weigh When to Enroll in College Courses Instead of AP, IB originally appeared on usnews.com