24 Credit Program at a Community College (In Lieu of Senior Year)

Parents Forum
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<p>I'm thinking about going to the CC here and doing a 24 credit program to get a New York State High School Equivalency Diploma. It's sort of like a GED, but to get it, you just need to successfully complete 24 specified credits at a college. The credits are as follows:</p>

<p>English Language Arts - 6 Credits
English Composition
English Literature
Speech
Creative Writing</p>

<p>Mathematics - 6 Credits
Math
Calculus
Statistics
Business Math
Technical Math</p>

<p>Natural Science - 3 Credits
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Earth Science
Geology
Botany
Zoology</p>

<p>Social Science - 3 Credits
History
Sociology
Psychology
Economics
Political Science
Labor Studies</p>

<p>Humanities - 3 Credits
Literature
Foreign Languages
Art History/Art Appreciation
Music/Music Appreciation
Theatre
Philosophy
Religion</p>

<p>Career/Tech./Foreign Lang. - 3 Credits
Nutrition
Home Economics
Family & Consumer Studies
Computer Technology
Computer Science
Intro to Phys Ed (lecture only)
Health Education
First Aid/CPR
Studio Art
Theatre Design
Foreign Language (includes Sign Language)</p>

<p>For each of these, there are a variety of courses to choose from, and those are listed under each of the above categories.</p>

<p>Has anyone's kid ever done something like this? </p>

<p>It would get me out of high school and into college a year early, and that's good, so...I'm thinking about doing it.</p>

<p>The only thing I'm not sure of is whether the NYSHSED the same as the GED except you get the diploma by credit rather than examination. Where can I get that info?
I've been extremely unhappy in high school since the start, and this year, I didn't do particularly well. I feel that I need to get out and into a new environment, and the CC idea seems to be a good one in my mind. It's not only getting out of high school, it's also starting off in college and gaining education for my future goals.</p>

<p>The only thing is though...If the NYSHSED is the same as a GED, there's no way my parents would go for it. They think that it's a stupid idea, and that it will blacklist me for the rest of my life in terms of getting jobs, and telling people that I did that rather than finish high school...But, I really don't want to go back to my school. At all. Even though there's not much I need to take for graduation, it's enough that it matters.</p>

<p>So, I don't know exactly what I should do, or if this is even a good idea or what...And my parents are also an obstacle.</p>

<p>Any input is welcome. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Through one quick search on Google, it does look like the New York State High School Equivalency Diploma is the same as a GED. (Earning</a> a High School Equivalency Diploma (GED) through 24 College Credits)</p>

3

<p>Three threads with essentially the same opening post on three different boards.</p>

4

<p>I can't speak to the NY state implications, but I can say that getting out of high school if it makes you miserable and using the community college route can work very well for the right student. I know several kids who've made that choice and gone on to colleges where they were happy students. You just need to find some good course selection guidance and coaching about how to present your alternative path when you do college applications.</p>

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<p>You might also double check your course credits at HS, many states have minimum req far below the usual course load, you might be able to graduate early with a "real" diploma and move on to CC</p>

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<p>mmaah - I would stay at the CC for a full two years and get my ASN (I want to be a nurse, and the CC has a really good nursing program, and lots of transfer agreements with great schools)...So that wouldn't really be a problem since I would be applying as a transfer student with a college degree rather than a freshman with nothing. And in case you're wondering, in all likelihood, I'm going to go to the CC for two years regardless of when I start (now, or after I graduate from HS).</p>

<p>somemom - I can't graduate early unless I take English in summer school and everything else in the fall semester...And since I'm going to be in Toronto for the first week of summer school, and you're not allowed to miss more than 2 days, that won't work.</p>

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<p>My daughter has a friend who did 2 years of cc instead of finishing high school but it wasn't in NY state. He loved it and, frankly, wouldn't have finished hs any other way. He was allowed to walk with their class so that makes me think he got a regular hs diploma. He transferred through a guaranteed transfer program to the state flagship where he will be a junior while his former classmates are freshmen. It worked out very well for him.</p>

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<p>I have no idea how I'm going to get my parents to go along with it though. My mom thinks I'm a brat for not wanting to go back to my school even though I've hated it since I started. And she thinks that getting a GED is stupid.</p>

9

<p>IN some states you can do concurrent classes, attend class at the CC, but get HS credit, solving both problems. Does NY offer this?</p>

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<p>My school does, but there aren't enough credits left that I need to take for graduation for that to make any sense.</p>

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<p>Any ideas on how to get my parents on board?</p>

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<p>Can you take the credits you need in fall term at the CC and graduate in Dec?</p>