<p>To get straight to the point--I'm thinking about leaving for college a year early. I feel as though the high school I attend is not the right place for me, and there is not another high school I could attend or a community college I could go to part-time. If I don't want to stay here for another two years, college seems like the best (and only) option. </p>
<p>I discussed the possibility of leaving early (my school will not let people graduate early) with my counselors/parents last year, and decided at the beginning of this year not to pursue it because I thought that being an upperclassman would make things better. Thus far, I've found that it hasn't, which is why I'm reconsidering.</p>
<p>I'm no genius or anything remotely close to it; I don't have astronomical test scores or a 4.0. However, I really do love learning. I would really like to go someplace where I can really stretch out my wings, so to speak. I'm probably best described as a CTY kid; I'm on the quirky side, and I love reading/writing/discussing and really "digging in". </p>
<p>I have a 3.7 from a good private school (99% to college, reps from top colleges visit routinely, etc.) and a 222 PSAT/2170 SAT, both taken sophomore year, if that helps. </p>
<p>I know some of you have kids who have gone to college without graduating high school. Would you please share some of your stories, experiences, words of wisdom, and maybe even some advice on my specific situation? I would really appreciate any feedback that you'd like to give. </p>
<p>My S actually graduated from high school. He made sure to fulfill all the graduation requirements save for the fourth year of PE.
If you want to go to highly selective school, it is a bit risky to graduate early without a stellar record. Colleges will consider that your record could become stronger if you stayed another year. There are indeed students who graduate early without receiving a high school diploma, but their records are very strong. Also consider that some schools do require a high school diploma. I know Brown does.</p>
<p>You state leaving HS two years early? I am perplexed that your HS will not allow early degree? IF you have the entire year and the summer upcoming are you telling us that you cannot meet the degree requirements by then? This is a private school you are paying money too? WOW You could finish by distance learning or credits taken at another program.....why are they not agreeing to that?</p>
<p>IF you want to get away, spread your wings and have a challenge.....consider a top boarding school. Financial Aid is available and you would not have to be bored academically. I encourage you to consider this as an option.......good luck if you do choose college. I have had many friends who went early and did just fine.</p>
<p>Oops, just to clarify:
I am currently a junior. My high school is very stringent about not giving credit for courses taken elsewhere, for some reason. Nobody has ever graduated early from my school (though somebody about 10 years ago left for Swarthmore without graduating).</p>
<p>Marite, thank you for your honesty. I'm looking at Smith/Mt. Holyoke--would those be considered highly selective?</p>
<p>Hazmat, thanks for your input. Glad to hear everything worked out okay for your friends!</p>
<p>They are highly selective but not at the same level as HYPSM. Have you checked whether they require a high school diploma? Although MHC is SAT optional, it would be a good idea to present SAT scores to balance the GPA and the lack of 12th grade courses. Also look up their recommended curriculum.
Even if your school will not give you credit for distance learning classes, you could still take some if you have time. You would send in the transcript from the online classes at the time of your application.</p>
<p>I guess I am wondering how helpful your HS will be in your application process? Are they supportive in any way to you? You need to be preparing to apply now and in my opinion that involves meeting on the college campus w/ admissions and department folks. Highly selective schools will take students but you need to sell yourself......will your HS help you with this? Recommendation letters. How interesting that your school doesn't allow this.....do they attract only average students? Many talented students leave HS early......one friend of mine left middle school straight to college and finished engineering degree in three years.....now in PhD program. I mean it happens more than you might think.</p>
<p>Mine entered Smith two years early (at 16), and received their highest academic scholarship. Age has not been an issue, and she has been happy as a clam. Smith gave her funds last summer to visit/work in Cambodia/India/Thailand, and she is headed off to Italy next year, with a paid internship in Italy prior to beginning her studies there. They do not require a high school diploma. They will definitely want you to interview. If at some point you want to contact her, PM me. We found she was welcomed virtually everywhere else as well, with prestige u. or LAC. She was a homeschooler.</p>
<p>I have know a student accepted this year at Mt. Holyoke who was 13 (another homeschooler), but difficult financial situation has her at UMass. I have another friend (homeschooler) who was accepted at Harvard at 15, and is graduating this year (and had virtually NO high school courses whatsoever - interesting tale.) Another one is at Earlham, and another at Brown. It is very, very common among homeschoolers - others will have to comment regarding what happens to high school enrollees.</p>
<p>There are many schools who will ultimately take students early.......ED application is NOT advisable. You haven't mentioned that but my experiences all say do go that route.</p>
<p>Neither Smith nor Holyoke require a diploma. I have visited, talked to reps that have visited my school--if they keep tabs, they definitely know I'm interested. I have everything they require except for that last year of English.<br>
My high school is an international highschool overseas. There's a big range of abilities, because people have gone to all different kinds of schools before coming here. My counselors will support me, but I would feel guilty making them do all of the paperwork/recommendations if this wasn't a good idea/didn't get in, I guess.<br>
Hazmat, I was wondering if you could explain a little bit more about why/why not do ED?<br>
Thank you again, Hazmat/Mini/Marite! It's very much appreciated.</p>
<p>I just know what friends have experienced and without exception the schools and I reinforce multiple schools told them NOT to apply ED. That is what I know.</p>
<p>When I originally asked an adcom about early graduation, I heard the same thing: do not apply early; give yourself a chance to build as strong a profile as possible. This means RD. My S did graduate early and apply early but he had also taken a good number of college courses; as a result, he was able to show that, if admitted, he could do the work. The MIT adcom did say that, since he had taken so many college courses, there was no advantage to waiting to apply RD. But hazmat is right that in the majority of cases, it is better to apply RD.</p>