Considering applying to an early college: Will this tank my chances at grad school?

Applying to College
1

<p>Lately, I've realized that my high school really is not doing it for me when it comes to math/science courses. I've already taken the highest level science courses offered at my school, and the local community college doesn't offer any more than that, and I've started to feel like I'd just be wasting my time finishing up my last 2 years of high school. So, I've considered applying to Bard College at Simon's Rock, here's a link to the site: Home</a> — Bard College at Simon's Rock - The Early College</p>

<p>I'm planning on majoring in physics, and they seem to have a small but functional physics department. The only issue is that it's a small liberal arts college, and I'm worried that I'll get shot down when applying to grad schools because of the nature of the school.</p>

<p>So, is it worth it spending the 2 years of HS and applying to bigger universities, or should I go ahead and jump right in?</p>

2

<p>Sounds like you’re in a junior now, i would advise waiting until the end of this year, i know some great schools have an early admission program, where you go into college after junior year. BU and U Chicago have this option and im sure many other good schools do too.</p>

3

<p>Actually a sophomore at the moment, but thanks, I’ll check that out for U Chicago and BU</p>

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<p>Grinnell and Oberlin also have programs where you can start after your junior year. Maybe look into those too.</p>

5

<p>Just about every college/university in the US admits students who are “college ready” even though they have not completed a full HS diploma. Many of these students graduate from college before they are 20 and head straight into grad school. I know a kid who ran through his community college’s math/science program by the end of sophomore year in HS, then went off to a well recognized math/physics program at a large private university in his home state. Now he is in grad school at a recognizable-on-CC Physics program.</p>

<p>If you want to do early college, you need to research more programs. Your home state public U may have one that suits you. You should also take a look at the programs listed here: [Hoagies</a>’ Gifted: Early College Entrance Programs](<a href=“http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/early_college.htm]Hoagies”>Early Entrance College Programs | Hoagies' Gifted) For specific info. on Simon’s Rock, look for the thread that owlice started in the Parents Forum about her son’s experiences there.</p>