I am in 8th grade and ready to skip from 9th to 10th grade. If you think I shouldn’t skip a grade please tell me so with good facts and reason, and would it look good in collage?
If you are bored in school and socially prepared to be with an older peer group as well as academically prepared for starting high school a year early then skipping 9th grade is a fine choice. It won’t help you get into Harvard or any other school - why would it? Why would a year of less secondary education make you a more attractive applicant? Being a year younger than the typical college applicant isn’t a hook or even particularly remarkable. Make the decision to skip or stay based upon what’s best for your education and you’ll make the best decision for your future applications.
No. In fact it may hurt as it is one less year to prepare for SAT/ACT. But the simple act of skipping a grade will not be an advantage.
Does your school concur?
I agree with making sure your high school will even allow it. I know where I live a high school wouldn’t care how smart you are - you still need to do 4 years to graduate plus fulfill all the requirements which wouldn’t be possible in 3 years. Also at our high school nothing taken before the start of 9th grade would count so if you are past algebra 1 say you still need to do 4 years of math no matter what level you start on.
Your obviously academically advanced but keep in mind colleges are also looking at non academic areas such as extra curricular which demonstrate passion and some leadership. Having fewer years gives you less time to develop that since they are most concerned with what you do in high school not before that. Rather than skipoing a grade perhaps look into full time dual enrollment for 11th and 12th grade which would allow you to take some classes that are more advanced then high school while finishing up graduation requirements. It would also allow you to continue participating in high school activities you might enjoy such as math team, key club or whatever your interests are.
Do not make a decision based on what will look good for colleges. You have all of high school to get through first. And, racing through isn’t going to better prepare you for the rigors of university.
I agree that skipping a grade may actually hurt you because you will be compared to those who have completed 4 years of high school. You’ll have less of a chance to show leadership positions. You want to develop a wow factor and you’ll have one less year to do it in. Skipping a grade is not a wow factor in and of itself. Those who do a gap year may have a leg up as it gives them time to show they did something interesting.
Skipping a grade will likely hurt you because you’ve had one less year to prepare for the competition with the best students in the world.
If you’ve reached the highest levels of course sequences offered at your HS by the end of 9th grade (ie.? calculus and AP foreign language, HS biology, chemistry, and physics)
1° you still need to take Honors English then AP English or Dual Enrollment English
2° you still need 4 classes in history/social science, including US History and either World/Euro History (perhaps at the AP level) plus 2 other classes (Government, Economics, Anthropology, Psychology…)
3° you need to build a resume that shows you had a positive impact on your school and community. It’s not matter of hours but rather how much did you accomplish and how did it change things for people?
If you completed the sequential classes by the 9th or 10th grade, you still have lots of classes to take to be competitive.
What you do is that you take dual enrollment post-AP Classes, such as Discrete Math, Multivariable Calculus, Calcuus-based statistics (for math), Upper Intermediate Conversation, Literature, History, Culture classes (for foreign language).
Then you focus on making a real difference for people.
I agree that you’d be giving yourself more of a handicap than an edge. Harvard weighs an applicant’s maturity level and expression of character seriously. Physics prodigy Sabrina Pasterski was even rejected from Harvard when applying at age 16-17 http://physicsgirl.com/1993.pdf
Beginning of 8th and you’re ready? What says so (and why didn’t you tell us?) You seem not to understand what does matter to top colleges. Rather than focusing on moving up, use the time over the next 6 months to learn what does matter.
Thank you for this info, but I have looked into what top collages want, and that is how to help the community. I have taken that into account, and I have some plans for how to show I can be good. At the moment I have 2 clubs I want to found, and there is a certain hospital I want to volunteer for. At the moment I am volunteering at a local library, and reading books to prepare my vocab for the A.C.T. and S.A.T. My brother and sister both said if I pass they would help me in doing these things.
By the way I looked into the full time dual enrollment, and I do not think I can join it. I am not in Florida. 
I may of read a wrong article, but still.
Hmmm…you start a thread yesterday asking for reasons why skipping a grade in high school may or may not be in your best interest. Nine experienced and knowledgeable posters have given you very legitimate reasons for NOT skipping a grade and why it might put you at a disadvantage admissions-wise. You have promptly chosen to disregard their advice seemingly without giving it a second thought.
I must say, this doesn’t bode well for your having the maturity to succeed in college (nor do your research and writing skills, I’m afraid).
You plan may work against this. Many hospitals require volunteers to be at least 16, so if you are currently 14, you’ll still have to wait until you are 16, and you might be a senior by then.
OP, you have “grand” ideas, but the reality is that experienced here people on CC DO know better than you the impact of skipping a grade in HS will have on your college application chances. And all have said it will NOT benefit you. They have been here offering knowledgeable advise to college applicants for years. In addition, you are not the first student to ask this very question.
There is NO benefit to you in trying to shorten the length of time you spend in HS.
Agree, skipping a grade will more likely hurt than help you with the competitive colleges. A few reasons:
– You likely won’t have time to take all of the most rigorous classes offered in the HS.
– You will have less time to get involved in ECs, become involved in activities in your community, develop leadership positions etc.
– The college may be concerned that a younger student may not be mature enough to handle the freedom and the rigors of college life.
Also keep in mind the SAT and ACT are not pass/fail tests – a high score will be critical if you are looking at top colleges.
But in the end it is your life and your decision.
And they do not want you to found a club.
Miles to go, much to learn.
So what makes you thnk you are ready to skip a grade, ten weeks into 8th grade?
Good point…but it would be the year before that
Thanks to all of you for your advice, ill look into duel enrollment classes, but I think I should atleast do the trial for skipping a grade. I honestly am listening to what you’re saying. :3
@LoveTheBard harsh but yeah…
@“lookingforwhat?” I am not sure, it is why I am asking and want to do a trial period…
@TheNoticable - Sorry for my candor (and snark). I think it’s great that you are ambitious and want to challenge yourself, but I think that you would do well to listen to the advice and experience of your elders here on CC that have been around for a while and seen a few rodeos in their time.
As for dual enrollment, many community colleges allow high schoolers to take classes either in person or online (sometimes they restrict enrollment to upperclassmen and/or require a recommendation from your principal and/or guidance counselors). Online and summer school college classes might also be something for you to look into.
Whatever you do, you will need to ensure that you are meeting the recommended or required classes for colleges you are interested in (often this will include four years of English and math, at least three lab sciences, and two of three years of history and social studies, with many of these at the honors or AP levels. Some AP classes will have prerequisites, so you’ll need to bear that in mind as well. Many school districts will also have a fine or performing arts requirement for graduation.
Lastly, meaningful extra-curricular activities will take time for you to develop. Don’t rush things.