<p>Under Minnesota statute, colleges and universities in the state are strongly encouraged to open courses to "high-potential" high school junior/seniors. A high school junior this year, I am considering going full-time next year at the University of Minnesota. About 500 juniors/seniors are admitted each year, and I have a very good shot at acceptance. Tuition and all educational expenses are free (books, etc.), and the commute to the U of M is short from my home. Excluding dorm life, I would essentially be a freshman my senior year.</p>
<p>Of course, there are drawbacks. Though I'm pretty much through with the high school social/academic/administrative scenes, I'd have to forgo extracurriculars. I would still be required to complete senior year high school courses (an English course, Amer Gov, Econ, PE, and it feels necessary to take Physics before I apply anywhere).</p>
<p>So my question: Does enrolling at the U of M or staying the course at high school better prepare me for college academics? Yes, I'm considering my admissions potential to selective colleges (mostly LACs) as part of my decision, but mostly I'm curious about which is a better academic decision.</p>
<p>A bit of background on me: taken AP Stats and BC Calc, so no more math options in high school, have 5 years of language, French horn player, leader in several national and regional youth organizations. Living under an oppressive high school regime (but what high schooler isn't?).</p>
<p>I see college as the best prep for college. SAT scores are used as a predictor of college grades, now you'll have college grades from a respectable school (not a local CC that's easier than your hs) to show the Amhersts Wms, Colgates and Grinnells of the world.</p>
<p>But what about extracurriculars? I guess I should rephrase and say that I want to look at this holistically, not just at academic prestige. Additionally, U of M intro courses are notoriously big, anywhere from 75 to 400 in a class. Is herd learning at a big university still more valuable than less prestigious, more intimate high school learning? I'm really an LAC man at heart, so this is a big concern for me.</p>
<p>If you can succeed with at UM, with a very high GPA, as part of this accelerated program, I am pretty sure it would far off set any potential EC that you would be missing.</p>
<p>Check out Bard College at Simon's Rock in Massachusetts, "The Early College" alternative for rising juniors and seniors: Home</a> — Bard College at Simon's Rock</p>
<p>I'd go with U of M.</p>
<p>I'm going to the U of M part time this year (Junior too). I really think it's about the types of classes you're going to take there/the grades you get on them. Obviously, a good grade in Org. Chem would look a lot better than just ending with your basic AP Chem from high school. But taking AP classes, instead of AP equivalents might look better mostly because AP classes at high school are a little bit harder than their equivalents at the U. </p>
<p>And another factor is to look at what your dream school likes and dislikes. Some like PSEO and make it easy to transfer those credits, some don't. Some accept 3s and above for AP tests, some don't. I think that the best choice would be to pick the combination that works well for actual college (not PSEO)</p>
<p>Is there any chance of combining the two, HS with some college classes? I ask this because several of my son's AP teachers have pointed out the advantages of APs at the high school. AP classes are MUCH smaller (like 20 vs. 500), the pace is adjusted to the class' needs in HS, and the discussions - well, in a 500 person lecture, there aren't any discussions, so there's no comparison. </p>
<p>A full slate of large lecture classes can be disheartening, so I would urge you to look into continuing some courses at your HS and keeping up with a few of your ECs.</p>
<p>Nickknack: If you want the rigor of the U of M but not the class sizes, you could always do PSEO at a different school. Obviously I don't know you too well, but you seem like you would succeed and like Macalester. It's a really great (and selective) LAC and probably not far from you if you live near the U! Or you could try St. Thomas or St. Catherine (but they may or may not have rigor similar to that at the U of M or Macalester). Hope this is of some help! =]</p>