Does graduating early help?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey, new here, but I've been reading forms on here for quite for some time.</p>

<p>Here's my situation.</p>

<p>I'm Hispanic. (I don't really know why people on here mention their ethnic background, but I guess I'll do it too)</p>

<p>I'm a Senior now, but I'm fifteen. Gradating two years early. I have 15 credit hours done at the local CC, and I can expect to get another 15 done next Semester. </p>

<p>I've done some volunteering at my school (under ten hours) but I'm working on it. </p>

<p>Haven't taken the ACT yet.</p>

<p>I want to apply to The University of South Florida (USF), and get into their seven-year medical program. I'll be applying to other state universities too, like UF, FSU, UCF, Florida Gulf, and so forth.</p>

<p>Currently, my GPA is 3.5 weighted, but I can expect to raise that drastically over the course of this year.</p>

<p>I don't have a lot of extra-curriculars. Just a year of student council, and now I'm a member of the National Science Honor society.</p>

<p>So I'm wondering, does the fact that I'm so young, and already taking all these college classes make me stand out and improve my chances of getting in?</p>

<p>Note: I can't NOT graduate this year, because as it is I already have more credits than your average senior 20+ now, and at least thirty by the end of the year.</p>

<p>I don't mean to sound like a bragger, but I need to know if I'm doing everything right.</p>

<p>Also, what are my chances of getting into a univeristy better than USF?</p>

2

<p>I think we can only guess how admissions officers might look at a young graduate, but my feeling is that it would probably not work either for you or against you at a state univ. Some schools may be hesitant to admit you if you would be living on campus and in a dorm with 18 and 19 year olds.</p>

<p>(My daughter is also a young student, although she's 16. She's just started her freshman year at a state univ., but it's close so she can live at home. She's hoping to transfer next year. Since she'll be 17 at that time, that's acceptable to me.)</p>

<p>I tend to think your age would work against you a bit for many away-from-home private colleges. Not that they wouldn't be impressed by your ability to finish your high school work so quickly, but that it may be a benefit to you to get a couple more years maturity before living independently on campus.</p>

<p>I'm just speculating, though. You should just apply widely and see what happens.</p>

3

<p>My observation is that young graduates do not do as well in college admissions as their older classmates, probably because they do not have as many impressive leadership positions.</p>

4

<p>Try studying abroad for a year. </p>

<p>There are some good free ones, like Congress-Bundestag, but you need to apply and are pretty competitive. This will look pretty good on your app, and you could try a couple other things, like a full time, year round internship to boost your chances to get o a better school. USF is pretty good, but have you thought of the University of Miami? Apply to some, are you willing to leave Florida?</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
So I'm wondering, does the fact that I'm so young, and already taking all these college classes make me stand out and improve my chances of getting in?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>It gives you the chance to do more activities in the next year or so, which may help you thrive better in your college studies. </p>

<p>I don't know Florida colleges well enough to comment on your chances.</p>

6

<p>Why can't kids just be kids??.............15/16 too young for College. Doe's society put this pressure on our children?....enjoy being a normalk kid...yes get excellent grades, but why rush yourself for 3.5 GPA, when you can take yoru time and get a 4.0 GPA and 1500/1600 SAT...then go to the best school this Country has to offer.....don't rush, unless you are the next Eisnstein/prodigy.</p>