DSST testing advice (for beginner)

[davewill]

To answer the question you actually asked, you can certainly take DSST exams now, and use them later at schools that will accept them. Unfortunately, DSST exams are not widely accepted for credit. A lot of schools who claim to take them, only take them from vets when you actually read the fine print.

That said, I agree that dual enrollment makes more sense for someone in your daughter's shoes. The dual enrollment courses can usually replace high school courses, so she isn't having to duplicate as much effort. Dual enrollment courses are regular college credit, with grades, and can be used at almost any school in the country, unlike DSST and other alt credit sources.

As you pointed out, The Big3 and other schools we discuss here don't offer Fine Arts degrees (TESU might, but we don't know any cost effective sources for the required courses). The range of degrees that are available using the "DIY" methods we talk about here are limited. Your daughter may change her mind about what she would like to study, or may simply decide that she would like a more traditional college experience, She could earn scholarships that would make a brick and mortar school more affordable. I would be looking to keep her options as wide as possible at this stage.

Note: AP exams ARE widely accepted, and would be an another way to get college credit as a high school student.