<p>Do any of you know of any early college acceptance programs? You know, where you go to college in place of your senior year...Clarkson has one (<a href="http://www.clarkson.edu/tcs/)%5B/url%5D">http://www.clarkson.edu/tcs/)</a>, and so does Russel Sage (Sage</a> College of Albany: Early College...Any%5DSage">http://www.sage.edu/sca/academics/headstart/#earlycollege)...Any) others? I've kind of been thinking about this sort of thing for awhile, but am only now starting to seriously check it out since I got rejected from another program that I wanted to next year. Any insight would be great! Thanks!</p>
<p>Simon's Rock?</p>
<p>Simon's Rock looks like a good program. Thanks.</p>
<p>Any others?</p>
<p>Mary Baldwin has one and I think the University of Washington.</p>
<p>Another possibility would be to check out the United World College Program -- I know several kids that opted for that rather than an early college program.</p>
<p>Are you looking for next year or the following year? Most of these programs had earlier deadlines, so getting in for next year might be difficult.</p>
<p>The early college programs can be great for the right person, but keep in mind that you will be entering college as a freshman -- so if your dream school is something other than one of those early college programs, your chances of transferring to another top college is very low (and financial aid/merit aid is usually less for transfer students). </p>
<p>It is important to look at all the pros and cons before jumping into such a program. If your current high school just doesn't challenge you, there are other options to look at: early graduation, dual enrollment, online classes, homeschooling, foreign exchange for a year or a semester boarding school program like the Rocky Mountain Semester.</p>
<p>I'm looking for next year. I know that the deadlines for the two programs I listed aren't until the summer (July I believe), so there's certainly still time for that.</p>
<p>Does Mary Baldwin take (rising) seniors? I can't tell from the website.</p>
<p>As to early college for me...I'm looking for something different, challenging, and exciting for my senior year. I applied to a health sciences program that's very competitive through the local tech school and got rejected, so I am nor looking for alternative options.</p>
<p>I can't graduate early (can't get the credits done because I have other things I have to do in the summer), can't dual enroll (my school doesn't have any of those programs), online classes or homeschooling would be OK if it weren't my senior year, but I want to do things...</p>
<p>At this point, my only dream school is Temple. Not very hard to get into. (Not super easy, but, a good place for me). </p>
<p>The Clarkson program sounds fabulous, especially since they have special programs for the school members to help them with the adjustment, special housing, all that...Plus, the students are considered to be freshman and have all those benefits, and, most credits earned are transferable. I just want to look into others as well.</p>
<p>Also, I've looked at the UWCs, but that's two years, and that would delay me going to college since I'm already a junior.</p>
<p>I have a friend who goes to Mary Baldwin and she would have been a high school junior this year. She's focusing on biology and applied as a transfer student to Yale but didn't get in.</p>
<p>Resident</a> Honors Program</p>
<p>home</a> [EarlyEntrance.org]</p>
<p>Too bad California is on the other side of the country. I doubt I'd be allowed to go that far away.</p>
<p>Hm, maybe you could apply late to a boarding school just for senior year--that's what I did and I'm going next year... I think many schools might still take applications</p>
<p>I don't particularly want to go to boarding school for my senior year...I might as well just stay at my school, especially since there's no guarantee that my credits would transfer, or that I would be admitted as a senior not a junior.</p>
<p>My cousin's Neighbor's daughter is doing that, I think I'd rther stick with BS though, I assume that there might be accreditation problems, maturity issues...</p>
<p>But Simon's Rock sunds good!</p>
<p>I don't know about other places...But the two that I listed, the students are treated like regular college students but they get extra help. So they just skip an entire year of high school and go straight to college after 11th grade. Also, I'm mature for my age. I'm 17 (18 in October), and adults always comment on how mature I am, and assume that I'm older.</p>
<p>the two issues that I know of that you need to consider when looking at these early college programs -- </p>
<ol>
<li><p>the majority of these programs have little to no supervision in regards to social matters. Anecdotal information is that most of these kids go a little "wild" (typical for kids there first year away from school -- whether an early college program or regular college) and that alcohol and drug usage is more common than many kids feel comfortable with. social activities are limited -- the kids either aren't allowed or are not encouraged to participate in "normal" college activities and their opportunities are limited.</p></li>
<li><p>unless you want to actually graduate from the program that you enter, you need to think twice. Transferring to another college is more difficult than entering as a freshman, the majority of merit scholarships are only available for entering freshman and financial aid is much more limited for transfer applicants. If you actually want to attend another college -- think twice, you may find you are not able to.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Hmm...The Clarkson School is sounding better and better. Students have plenty of supervision and social activities, but also get a chance to seriously experience college at the same time. And, apparently they have a good transfer rate.</p>
<p>Those are definitely things to look at -- really check out the social aspects (go for a couple of overnights, etc).</p>
<p>As far as the transfer rate -- ask for specifics. How many kids transfer out (if it is alot, that tells you that the program is lacking something or they would stay) What colleges do they transfer to? How many graduate in 4 years?</p>
<p>Talk to your parents about finances -- this is critical. Make sure both of them understand the cost and what they are expected to pay. No sense getting all worked up about it, only to find out that you can't pay. The Clarkson program will cost around $40,000 plus books, transportation and spending money. When you transfer to another college, if you choose to, you need to look at that, also.</p>
<p>Make sure you understand how financial aid works -- if your family's EFC is $10,000, that means that at the very least, you will be paying $10,000. the vast majority of schools will gap you an additional amount AND include loans and work-study in the financial aid package. By giving up your incoming freshman status, you give up the ability to apply to multiple colleges to compare financial aid and merit packages. </p>
<p>This might not be a concern -- your parents may be perfectly able and willing too pay $40,000+ for your college and that would be fantastic, but it is better to find out now rather than later, when you are stuck.</p>
<p>I talked to my friend about Mary Baldwin and this was her response:</p>
<p>GOOD:
Many scholarships and really good financial aid.
Spring term ends one month earlier than most other schools. And at the end theres something called May Term (which is actually in April) in which you get the option to travel abroad and take interesting classes on campus.
THE PROFS ARE THE BEST.
Since its all girls, you can concentrate more.
Profs write the most detailed recs for grad school (prob. the best thing about MBC).
The classes are good sized so you actually learn.</p>
<p>BAD:
Most people here tend to be nonintellectual and concerned only with partying.
Too small.
Nobody is enthusiastic and theres no school spirit.
Since the student body is so small, the diversity of classes is low.
Staunton sucks.
Its an all girls school.
Too much drinking.
Too many lesbians.</p>
<p>Joanthan1: Re: your comment about "Too many lesbians." I hope that you were just repeating what your friend said, and that these are not your feelings. Imagine if someone said "Too many Chinese" or "Too many white people." I think we would all recognize these as offensive statements.</p>
<p>I will NOT engage in a longwinded discussion of this issue here, (Lord knows that was done on another thread), but just need to point out when things could be better worded. Some of the future applicants and readers of this board besides myself, even if they don't post, are likely to be members of the LGBT community.</p>
<p>we looked into simon's rock. it looked like there were problems with drugs etc. and the program was under supervised. it would probably be better to try to just apply to a normal college year early</p>
<p>"too many lesbians" shows a really closeminded view, that i find offensive. </p>
<p>but, on other things. we looked at mary baldwin as well and the program was again not well supervised. also the average scores etc. are not on par with those of the top prep schools</p>
<p>i go to simons rock. So feel fre to message me or get in contact with any questions.</p>