<p>I'm maxing out the number of APs at my school (2 + 4 this year). However, I'm really disappointed with instruction and my classes and I feel like I'm wasting so much time - especially when I know that my teachers have used an "easier" book because they believe we're too stupid to learn from the actual textbooks or they're just terrified that the class will fall apart. It's not just that either... </p>
<p>I'm really tired of it. I'm insanely depressed. I hate my school. I hate high-school. </p>
<p>I'm tempted to drop all of my courses (nothing would happen to my transcript or anything) and then take physics, chemistry, calculus, (all would be sequences) and 2 classes I need to fulfill graduation requirements through Running Start (joint-enrollment program between CCs and HSs). I don't care if the credits don't transfer over to whatever institution I plan on enrolling after I graduate - I just need a different environment. </p>
<p>What do you think? Should I just stay and wait until at least past mid-year reports? Would this hurt me greatly if I chose not to do AP?</p>
<p>Of course I have to stick with it. I just have to do some extra studying by myself and learn to deal with what else is bothering me since it is, after all, temporary and I just needed to come to my senses. </p>
<p>It would be detrimental to my chances for whatever colleges I apply to - there is too much of a risk for a case of "woe is me". It is true. </p>
<p>Ignore this thread! or more appropriately, please delete it Mods.</p>
<p>Crayon, don't worry. We all have days like this. ;) Just say to yourself, "this, too, shall pass....." A year from now it will all be ancient history.</p>
<p>There are colleges which will enroll students who choose to go after junior year of HS, but it's always a balancing act. Sorry to hear you're having such a unrewarding time in HS. My son's friend had that experience & choose to take all his senior HS classes at the local state U but remain technically still a senior in HS under a special agreement between the HS & U. It worked for him, but he hated his HS too. (My son does NOT go to that HS & finds his AP classes interesting & challenging, taught by instructors who love their subjects & are great at teaching.)</p>
<p>If you need a different environment, go get it. If something like Running Start had existed in my state when I was a kid, I would have jumped at the chance to take it. </p>
<p>BTW, that should look better to many colleges to take classes in a college-like environment (even if community college) rather than to stay in high school.</p>
<p>The problem with Running Start (at least here in WA, and I don't think it's called that anywhere else) is that 25% of the CC students are from Running Start and the rest are those who didn't get into better colleges. It becomes very important to pick your courses carefully.</p>
<p>However: I know many former students who used Running Start to allow them to graduate earlier and more cheaply from UW and WSU. It can be a great deal! </p>
<p>Finally, if you think you're good enough and you want to badly enough, don't rule out leaving HS early to go to college early. A large number of colleges accept students out of their junior HS year. My son went to MIT that way.</p>
<p>University of Chicago will also enroll younger students- I beleive even without a diploma as long as you have entrance requirement
Running start can be a decent way to free up more time in your schedule for other classes- and some students at our school do both- Running start and AP ( in fact they have to because the district does not allow for juniors and senior to take 6 classes- so they have to do Running start if they want a full schedule)</p>
<p>When my S was a HS sophomore I specifically asked an admissions dean at a major top tier private about running start vs, AP or Honors classes. He was unequivocal in his recommendation to NOT do running start. He said his staff knows the high schools and their programs, but has little to go on when evaluating community college courses.</p>