Caveat Academic Services
For 12th graders and their parents
Seniors: one course before graduation.
Senior spring still has room for a real college course. The one rule that matters most is timing: start it so it finishes before graduation day. Here is why, what fits, and a quick way to check the dates.
Already admitted? Make your credit letter: what each ASU course becomes at UA, NAU or ASU, and how to send the transcript.
Why finishing before graduation matters
- First-year scholarships. College enrollment after high school graduation can affect first-year scholarships at ASU and UA. Courses taken while still in high school are generally treated differently from courses taken after. Read the scholarship guide.
- First-year applicant status. In general, college courses taken during high school don't make a student a transfer applicant; students apply as first-years with college credit in view. Each university sets its own rules, so check the ones on your list. How college courses fit into admissions.
- On-demand courses need a finish date. Some ASU courses allow up to a year to finish. That flexibility is useful, but a senior should set a pace that ends well before graduation.
What fits between now and May
- By December 18
Enroll for a January start.$25 to start with ASU. Caveat recommends enrolling by December 18 so the login, ID and computer setup are done before the holidays.
The first-week checklist.
- January 12
Spring session starts.The most room before graduation. An 8-week course ends in early March; a longer course still ends by early May.
- March 16
Second spring session starts.An 8-week course here ends around May 10. Check it against the graduation date with the checker below.
- Any day
Will it finish before graduation?
An estimate from the start date and course length. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
The end date is approximate. Check the course page for its exact last day, and leave room for final grades to post.
Good picks for seniors
CAP 150
Career Pathways: Exploring Your Future
For a senior still weighing majors and careers. Every enrolling family gets Go One-on-One support for this course at no cost; ASU's fees still apply.
ENG 101
First-Year Composition
The writing course most degrees start with, and practice for the writing college expects.
COM 225
Public Speaking and Presentations
Useful for interviews, class presentations and any major.
PSY 101
Introduction to Psychology
A common general education course across many majors.
See how UA and NAU count each one.
The $400 decision, on a senior's timeline
After the course ends, the family decides whether to pay ASU $400 to add the credit to an ASU transcript. It's only possible with a C or better, and it's never required. ASU says adding credit can take up to 14 business days, so for a senior, decide soon after the final grade and before transcripts need to go to the university.
Should we add the credit?
Plan senior spring together
On a free call we'll look at the graduation date, the colleges on the list and the hours the student really has, and pick a course and start date that fit. Students do all of their own work; Caveat helps make sure the course gets finished on time.
Book a free 20-minute call or ask a question by emailMore free tools: all guides and tools
Session dates and fees from ASU's online course pages, October 2026. ASU sets its own fees, dates and policies and can change them; check ASU's current page before enrolling. Scholarship and admission rules belong to each university; confirm with the university's own office. Caveat Academic Services offers independent college preparation services and is not affiliated with Arizona State University. Students do all of their own coursework. Each college decides which credits it accepts; Caveat does not promise that credit will transfer.