---
title: Try before you buy! 4 benefits of trying a class BEFORE you enroll.
description: Our students can take up to 12 graduate credits within 1 year prior to admission. Read more to learn the benefits of taking a class prior to applying.
image: https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/hubfs/GCE/try_before_you.jpg
---
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## [Try before you buy! 4 benefits of trying a class BEFORE you enroll.](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/try-before-you-buy)
Posted by [Andy Cunningham](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/author/andy-cunningham) on December 22, 2015 at 10:50 AM
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You test drive a car before you buy it. You look at apartments and houses before you make an offer to make sure it’s the right place to live. Shouldn’t you be able to try a graduate class prior to applying to a program? Fitchburg State offers an option for students to take up to 12 graduate credits within 1 year prior to admission to a program. What are the benefits of taking a class prior to applying?
**Get acclimated with school again**
- If you’ve been out of school for a while you might want to adjust by taking one class to get used to the schedule and workload.
- Get a feel for the online learning environment. First time taking an online course? Try our [online course demo](http://info.fitchburgstate.edu/demo-online-course) before registering.
**Make sure it’s the right fit**
- Make sure the program you’re choosing is the right one for you. Are you thinking about teaching [Early Childhood Education](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/graduate-studies/graduate-programs/early-childhood-education-med-prek-2-initial-licensure/)? Try out a class to make sure the program suits the age levels you want to work with. Not sure if [Forensic Nursing](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/graduate-studies/graduate-programs/ms-forensic-nursing/) is for you?
- Find out whether online or on campus suits you best. [Visit](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/admissions/visit-fitc/) our beautiful campus and adjust to a new schedule of evening courses.
**Allow yourself more time to prepare your application**
- While you’re completing the course, work with the Admissions Office to complete your [application](http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/admissions/graduate/).
- Need to take prerequisites for the MBA or M.S. in Counseling program to complete your application? Get a head start on your requirements.
**Connect with another reference**
- Looking for an academic reference, but it’s been a while since you’ve been in school? Taking a course prior to applying allows you the chance to make connections with new academic references. Have your professor speak to your skillset as an [adult learner](https://blog.fitchburgstate.edu/gce/benefits-of-being-an-adult-learner).
As with buying a car or house, certain terms and conditions apply to taking a course prior to applying:
- This doesn’t guarantee admission into a program.
- Graduate credits have a 6 year shelf-life even if you take a course prior to applying.
- Non-matriculated credits must be approved to transfer into a program by the Program Chair at the time of application review. To be proactive complete the [Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit form](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/uploads/files/Admissions/transfergradcredit_reader.pdf) (PDF) when you complete the application.
- Explore our financing options including our [payment plan](https://www.fitchburgstate.edu/offices-services-directory/student-accounts/fitchburg-state-university-payment-plan/).
We know you’ve put a lot of time into your research -- turn your interest into a reality. Take the next step before committing to a program.
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/376696/378c1d75-0020-4e1c-b3d7-fff42873cf95)
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