“UA Early College is designed to accommodate high school students’ busy schedules,” program director Dr. Cheree Causey said. “Our online classes are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Numerous students chose the “summer residential experience this year, living on campus, making new friends and earning six credit hours,” Causey said.

Brand chose to enroll online and in the residential program. “Early College has been a great experience for me,” Brand said. “In addition to living on campus during the summer, the program offers more classes and opportunities that aren’t available by taking advanced placement classes.”

Participants who complete 17-plus Early College credit hours with a 2.5 or better grade point average are eligible for admission to UA without submitting an ACT score. They also receive priority assignments for housing. A partial scholarship will reduce tuition.

High school sophomores through recent graduates can apply to UA Early College. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. A counselor, principal or home-school agent must submit a transcript.

Chad’s parents are Chuck and Sandy Brand. A certified public accountant, Chuck Brand is a partner with Barnes, Blackwell & Company, PC. Sandy Brand works as library media specialist at Sparkman Middle School. Chad’s brother Matt, 13, is an eighth-grader at Liberty Middle School.

Fittingly, the Brands are loyal Crimson Tide fans. “Chuck and I both graduated from UA, although Chad visited several universities before deciding on UA,” Sandy Brand said.

For more information, call 1-877-823-8759 or visit uaearlycollege.ua.edu.