<p>Since so many homeschoolers are academically advanced, I am interested in hearing people's thoughts/experiences re whether it is better, strictly from a college admissions perspective, for a student to run with the big dogs, so to speak, by taking very challenging college level classes as a homeschool/high schooler even at the cost of their almighty grade point average. </p>
<p>My gut instinct, of course, is that learning is what matters, so if you want to take vector calculus at your local college at 12 (or 14 or 16 or 18), go for it, grades be damned. But... should I be worried about whether a B or C in a very tough class (compared to an A in a subject more typically studied at a particular age) will be something the admissions people just won't be able to grasp?</p>
<p>It’s a common question, but we just can’t know because we’re not college admissions officers. And whenever someone asks that question in a college info session, the counselor says “we want both”! </p>
<p>My personal <em>guess</em> is that if you get mostly As in “normal” courses with an occasional C in a strange course, the As will show you’re capable and the Cs will show you’re not afraid to try stuff. But if you get mostly Cs in advanced courses, it will show that you either aren’t ready or aren’t trying, both of which show poor judgment.</p>
<p>I believe colleges definitely would rather see an A in an age-appropriate course than a B or C in a college-level course. It shows the colleges the child isn’t ready yet, which isn’t anything extraordinary - they want students who are motivated but can also handle the courses. But it does pay off to go to a local community college and take courses there the junior or senior - it proves that your child can function in a brick-and-mortar learning environment. I’m going full-time at a local community college for my senior year, and one of my friends has been going full-time since his sophomore year. It always depends on the child as well and if they’re ready to handle that courseload. Hope that helps!</p>
<p>The answer will depend of hte college you want to attend and what your overall goals are. Based on that, the answer could be quite different for different students.</p>