Chances on the Prospect of Going a Year Early

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I go to a private school in Greater Philadelphia and am thinking about going to college a year early--which I know will hurt my chances--but which I might want to try regardless. My school sends a significant number of students to Ivy League schools and other top colleges, and according to my college counselor has not had that much grade inflation in addition to saying that A's are very uncommon at my school.</p>

<p>With this in mind, and considering I am taking the toughest course load available, my final grades for my freshman year were an A in history, an A in language, an A- in literature, a B+ in mathematics, and a B in science. The first trimester for my Sophomore year just ended, and my trimester grades were an A in Philosophy, an A in history, an A in literature, an A- in language, and a B+ in mathematics.</p>

<p>Additionally, I recently received my PSAT scores, which may I add were taken in a delirious sleep due to the recent election in which I worked as staff on my Congressman's campaign. While I am not comfortable sharing my specific scores, I was above the 95th percentile in every section. Comparably with the rest of my school, I did incredibly well.</p>

<p>A note, however, about the Philosophy course I am taking this year: this course is generally reserved for Seniors, and Seniors only. My history teacher freshman year, though, recommended to me to take a Senior-level course because of how well I was able to analyze history and understand the theoretical ideas behind the many political institutions therein. So, anyways, I am getting an A in a course that is supposed to be far above my level and intellectual capability.</p>

<p>Getting back to the point. I want to apply a year early. To the University of Chicago or a similarly tough-to-get-into university. Chance me please.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>First, make sure you can actually apply to the colleges in question early. My hunch would be that most require an SAT, so make sure you get that taken care of.</p>

<p>On a personal note, here’s the problem I have with your plan: you say that you’re attending a challenging private high school, yet you want to go to college a year early. Why is that? Don’t apply early just to look different or get a step ahead of your peers; only go if you feel your current school is holding you back. Unless you’re applying to college on an ideological perspective (e.g. dissatisfied with your private school’s approach towards education in general), apply as a senior.</p>

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<p>what school is this?</p>

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<p>I am considering this because I do not feel challenged enough, despite even taking classes that I am not traditionally allowed to take at my grade level. I really want to take more advanced and in-depth classes in history and political science; not only are there almost no in-depth classes in history in my school, I am already taking a senior level class in the history department and excelling at it. I want a larger intellectual challenge which is just not available to me.</p>

<p>Also I know from my college counselor that I can apply to the colleges I am thinking about early–getting in is the problem. Also I do believe, considering my PSAT percentiles, that if I put in hard work into studying for the SATs, I could do very well on them even though I don’t believe myself to be that adept to scoring highly on standardized tests.</p>

<p>Also I am not comfortable saying in particular what school I go to, however, it is a Main Line school akin to the Shipley School, Friends’ Central School, The Haverford School, The Episcopal Academy, etc…</p>

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<p>I highly doubt that you’re going to get anywhere good early, barring that you’re a prodigy.</p>

<p>If you don’t feel challenged, since you live in the Philadelphia area, why not try and enroll in some classes at the Big 5 schools and/or Swarthmore? You’ll challenge yourself there, prepare yourself for the college workload that lies ahead of you, and stay with your friends and peers.</p>

<p>Are you really emotionally and fiscally ready and responsible enough to jump, and even if you are, who says you can? It just doesn’t make much sense. You’re not a prodigy, nor are you a straight-A student (even if your A’s are hard A’s, there are still people who have all hard A’s). You have some impressive classes, but why jump after your sophomore or junior years?</p>

<p>Relax, enroll at some of the local colleges (why not take classes at Penn or Swarthmore, if you’re looking for a challenge?), enjoy the high school experience, and mature.</p>

<p>I don’t know you beyond this specious message board, but I highly doubt you’re ready to move miles away from home and take care of yourself and your finances as a junior. I really doubt it.</p>

<p>I give a diddly-squat zero percent chance of getting into any school early. You aren’t a prodigy.</p>

<p>That’s really amazing that you understand history and the significance of things in the past and for the future, but I doubt you can connect everything (history, economics, philosophy, etc.) together. Can you explain to me how externalities from big corporations/institutions like the Iggles affect the cities local businesses, which in turn affect the Mayor Nutter’s public policy and the city budget, which in turn can affect the socioeconomic circumstances of many struggling kids in Kensington (by promoting more after-school programs to discourage violence)?</p>

<p>If I were you, in your junior year, apply to some select schools under the super-early decision programs (I know Emory does this) so you find out where you’re going before your senior year starts, and have fun your senior year and take more off-campus, challenging courses.</p>

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<p>One of my friends at Chicago (who was in a similar situation to you, it sounds like-- her high school left her with a bad taste in her mouth, a dislike for her classes, and feeling socially isolated) looked into applying to Chicago as a high school junior. She found that there was a lot of red tape for early entrants that doesn’t exist for high school seniors and older. She ended up holding her breath through her senior year of high school. More time to work on her Chicago application :-)</p>

<p>I agree with springbok that staying through is a good idea, as you can always challenge yourself outside of class.</p>

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<p>Not to sound like a real estate agent, or anything, but you should try Simon’s Rock. Its specifically for people who leave after 10th or 11th grade, and it looks REALLY weird at first, but its awesome. I’m graduating a year early, and I’m applying at Simon’s ROck and Wellesley. I’ve viited Simon’s Rock and you can tell everyone their loves it and is so intellectually stimulated. It’s amazing and I’m done gushing, so I’ll leave you alone about it, but it sounds like you’re perfect for them. Check it out, you won’t regret it.</p>

<p>PS- They transfer to Ivies/near Ivies A LOT. There’s and AA then transfer thing that most of the student body goes through (not because they don’t like it- its encouraged by the college). Some of their most often transferred to school include Brown and Stanford. Okay shutting up now.</p>

<p>PPS- please chance back for wellesley</p>

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<p>USC has an honors program for high school seniors to skip a year, too.</p>

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<p>I would also like to mention there are a lot of schools which have this option such as:</p>

<p>Reed College
Sarah Lawrence College
Flagler College
Susquehanna University
Ithaca College
USC
Bard College at Simon’s Rock (I’m applying here next school year, but as a 10th grader)
Mary Baldwin College (women only)
University of Washington
California State University, Los Angeles</p>

<p><em>There are prob. more, but I have researched lots of these schools</em> Simon’s Rock is the most unique in that it’s a college just for younger students.</p>

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<p>I know Grinnell has this option for high school Juniors, but it is typically when you exhaust all classes at your high school</p>

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<p>Requirements for one LAC:</p>

<p>Students interested in early admission should have outstanding high school records and have exhausted the educational opportunities available to them at their high schools. … the application must be accompanied by a letter from a high school counselor or principal supporting the student’s plan to enter college after the junior year. Early admission candidates are required to take either the SAT I or the ACT.</p>

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<p>You can’t say you don’t feel challenged enough if you can’t get straight A’s. This is a bad idea. If your as smart as you think you are; staying in school longer will help you.</p>

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<p>Simon’s Rock is different and not really if your challenged or not. People go there if there wanting more and high school isn’t giving much opp.</p>

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<p>I just recommend looking at Bard College at Simon’s Rock. You don’t need to get all A’s for admission, in fact they welcome a variety of students. I almost did it, but I stayed to be with my friends.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I have a GPA of 3.198 with all honors and one AP. I have gotten 2 72’s in accel math, but I can explain. I’m so excited and I hope I get AEP too. I need a scholarship real bad because it is 50k. I’m applying for the 2010-2011 school year. I also have top 50% rank. All the other programs you have to be better than if your applying reg. admission.</p>