Accelerated HS graduate info?

Parents Forum
21

<p>Thank you for your continued help and insight. I have been able to find some of the older threads about this subject and believe I am beginning to get a little clearer picture about the issue. Although, I'm still very fuzzy about how a conversation with the admission folks should go . . . .</p>

<p>First thing I did when the kiddo hatched this idea was check the recommended high school requirements for the colleges she listed. Those present no problem whatsoever (just a matter of getting that fourth year of high school English in. She will have two years of Honors English and one of AP English in the usual scheme of things at the end of junior year). We would just need to be cognizant of the SAT II requirements.</p>

<p>If she continues with her elite-level athletic activity, she would use the next two summers to do the very few extra courses she'd need on-line, as there would be no extra time during the school year. That's a hurdle to address with the high school--the 'official' statement is that, with very few approved course exceptions, on-line courses are not permitted. However, I've already talked one high school in another state into approving such undertakings by another daughter, so I have confidence I can sell it.</p>

<p>Our high school is very limited as to which 'dual-enrollment' courses it will recognize for high school credit (or which on-line courses/provider it will accept). Personally, I'm not particularly impressed with its choices, so I'd prefer to stick with the regular AP courses (and introduce it to some better quality providers). My thought is that those are better known quantities/entities for the colleges she has in mind, one of which doesn't give credit for AP courses, per se, but does consider them for course placement. </p>

<p>We aren't really considering the issue of early college graduation. So, I'm not particularly concerned about how the colleges treat the AP credits. She can deal with that if/when it arises. The financial undertaking notwithstanding, I'd just as soon she experience the full four years of college. I don't foresee her outgrowing that experience as quickly as she has the high school one. </p>

<p>Mostly, she just doesn't foresee that a senior year in high school will be particularly fruitful or engaging for her. By that time, she would be taking courses just because she has to fill the school day's hours. She already finds the school day to be extremely inefficient and wasteful of time, the students uninterested and undisciplined. Even in the honors classes and the AP class, the students consider it more the exception than the rule to actually read the assignments, come prepared to discuss, and do their homework. Group projects with a single grade for the entire group are quite frustrating, especially when the teacher won't let the students choose their co-workers. He says it is unfair for the 'excelling' students to choose to work together. I'm having a bit of a time explaining to her how it is 'fair' to have the students who are willing to work and do their assignments be responsible for and penalized by those members of the group who actively chose not to do their teacher-mandated portion of the project.</p>

22

<p>treemaven,
what is the school district's policy on early graduation? i'd suggest you call the superintendent for the district. have you looked at what your state's requirements are? ........check with the State Board of Education, Board of Regents, etc. There is likely a governing body over the universities in your state.<br>
in our area, i've heard of senior students attending class through december and then graduating. they then either go ahead and start at colleges in january or wait until summer or the next fall. i realize this is different from your d's plan........but only by a semester if I am understanding your post. </p>

<p>i think what your d is suggesting is very doable. good luck. please let us know how it works out.</p>

23

<p>The 'official' printed policy is students can graduate one semester early (i.e., in December of their senior year) if they have completed the requisite credit hours. That would be easily manageable.</p>

<p>My kid's point is that, with rather minor tweeking (i.e., that 4th year English class), she could complete the entire 48 hours of credit required by the end of her junior year--and could move on to a more engaging environment. </p>

<p>She would prefer not to start college mid-year. She wants to start when all the other freshmen start. She's got her eye on a couple specific out-of-state private colleges. (Some such nonsense her parents have drilled into her head about getting out of one's own backyard . . . .)</p>

24

<p>treemaven:</p>

<p>Your D has a couple of options: negotiate with the school to be allowed to graduate at the end of junior year; or graduate in December and take a gap semester. She could apply to colleges in the fall of her senior year, graduate in December, then work or do an internship and maybe take some college courses in the spring if she so wishes. Then she could enrol in college in the fall.</p>

25

<p>Yep, those are the alternative options--along with just staying the course and completing the full senior year. These are the options I feel pretty comfortable knowing how to evaluate and navigate.</p>

<p>The option I'm still trying to get a full bead on is the three-year graduation. I'm not particularly concerned about dealing with the high school folks. We've already navigated a 'special request' for her, which was granted without any real hassle despite being contrary to the 'official' written policy. It was just a matter of getting all the ducks in a row and providing supportive documentation and substantiation. So, because the guidance counsellor told her it can be done (she just didn't give any more help at this point), I'm pretty sure it is just a matter of presenting them with the appropriate information, rationale, and a detailed plan.</p>

<p>I'm looking for help in evaluating, researching, and navigating the college end of the deal. As I said above, I'm getting a better feel for what we should be considering on the student front--academic, social, emotional development status along with academic challenge and documented success (all of which I believe cuts in her favor). And I understand the importance of contacting college admissions folks to discuss and discern the colleges' policies and practices as to reviewing early high school graduate applicants.</p>

<p>However, I'm still a bit at a loss as to the suggested 'string of questions' and exactly what areas of inquiry I should be putting together in order to discuss the topic with the admissions folks. Will just a basic, direct "What is your policy as regards three-year high school graduates?" get the conversation going sufficiently with direction provided on their end? Or do I need to really flesh out a more detailed outline? And if so, what goes into the 'be sure to ask about' column?</p>

<p>I really do appreciate everyone's willingness to make suggestions and recommendations!</p>

26

<p>treemaven,
is your d a recruited athlete? does she plan to participate in her sport at the collegiate level? </p>

<p>try this...............go to hsbaseballweb.com and do a search on "graduate early" ...............there are some threads there that might be helpful.</p>

27

<p>My S had 3 APs by the end of 9th grade, and two college courses. I contacted one college adcom in his freshman year and was told that adcoms like applicants to build the strongest possible case.Early in junior year, the adcom advised against applying EA, again for my S "to build the strongest possible case." By then, S had taken two more college courses, was enrolled in another one, and had taken another AP and was enrolled in two more. The MIT adoffficer, when given the same info, replied there was no reason for S to try to build a stronger case by applying RD. So S applied EA--to the first college, and got in.</p>

<p>S had weak ECs, stemming largely from taking so many college courses on top of his regular high school classes. The colleges do not seem to have minded.
In terms of personal development, S was comfortable around colleges. He'd spent several summers at academic camps (all on college campuses) and was used to being in classes with college students. But he was not as self-reliant as students a year or two older than he. Luckily, he is close to home, so we've been able to help out on occasions.
Emotional and social maturity are aspects that need to be taken into consideration. They vary from individual to individual. The parents of a student who graduated early insisted on her taking a gap year. The mother had spent several year as a senior tutor in a Harvard House (dorm) and had experience with younger students getting into trouble because of their immaturity. The daughter spent her gap year auditing college courses.</p>

28

<p>Excuse the randomness of this post!</p>

<p>Tree- what was most important to me was scholarships. My D felt that since she had worked her tail off, her accelerated education should not be held against her. She wanted to be paid to attend college. So, if a college would only look at her as a transfer student (Colgate-Cornell), then she would not apply. Freshmen students have the most scholarship opportunities. UPenn looked at her as an incoming freshmen.
Some schools require waivers when it comes to a 15/16 year old living on campus.
I wanted to know what the policy was for early graduates. Basically, all of the colleges wanted to know if she would be receiving a diploma and if she took dual courses.
Foreign language study abroad was also an issue because most colleges have a minimum age requirement to participate. Also, my D wants to be able to participate in field work ( she is looking forward to digs), and once again, some colleges have different policies as to age.
I really want to say, colleges say that they do not discriminate against age, race or religion. IT IS A LIE!!! Due to the fact that my D is 15/16 the department chair within the college has the ability to deny my D particular classes becauses of her age-(Buddhism, Taoism). The reasoning is that she may become disruptive by asking too many questions.
The oddest things to ask are the things to ask. Once again, you have to be the advocate in this situation. When you call admissions be prepared to just ask your questions, because- You called Them. Always speak to someone who makes the final decisions-supervisors. Colleges do not frown upon early graduates IMO. The students are almost treated like every other student.
Decide what your child needs are and then formulate your list of questions.
I know exactly how your daughter feels about group projects. My D normally does all of the work required in a group only for everone else to receive her grade. Receiving an education isn't the way it used to be.
I just over indulged in pancakes so my thoughts are a bit scattered.</p>

29

<p>Buddhism-Taoism are the courses and not her age. Scattered..</p>

30

<p>Lots of colleges accept students after their junior year, even without a high school diploma. Usually you can find info about that option on their websites by searching for "early entrance" (not early admission, which is different). My son did not receive a HS diploma, but did go to college after his junior year--and will get his college diploma in a few weeks (barring complications). He delights in telling people he is a "high school dropout."</p>

31

<p>treemaven,
it's my understanding that for early graduation at the local high school, the students take an evening English course through the local university. This fulfills the district's requirement. It's likely dual enrollment credit, I'm guessing.</p>

32

<p>Dual enrollment is: Taking a college course at the highschool and thus receiving college and high school credit. Taking a dual enrollment class is only advisable when your D/S plans on attending college in state. The colleges within that state have an agreement to accept the courses taken at the high school. Most OOS colleges will not accept dual enrollment courses.
Concurrent enrollment is: Taking a college course on the college campus while also attending high school. Some high schools will accept certain classes for high school credit.
Concurrent enrollment is the better benefit.</p>

33

<p>thanks insanity68 for the explanation.
sounds to me then.......... that it's concurrent enrollment since the course is taken during the evening at the college.</p>