<p>Hi there! So I'm on track to graduate high school a year early, and I was wondering if any of y'all have experience with it. What are my chances of getting into my top choices (Columbia and NYU) with three years of high school behind me? I plan on joining a few clubs next year, (I'm a freshman currently and I've been lying low to scope out my school) and I will have 7 AP credits by my junior year, which is the max at my school. I'm the first to graduate early in the 11 years my school has been around, so I don't really have anyone to ask about it.
What do colleges think of this? I've read mixed things; some colleges view it as focused and mature, while other colleges only see a 16 year old trying to rush through things. I have been incredibly bored at my school (I moved from one of the tops schools in the state to an Acedemically Recognized school...) so I figured doubling the work load would not only impress colleges but also keep my grades from slipping out of lack of discipline. I'm not worried so much about being overwhelmed, as I work extremely well under pressure, I'm just worried about getting to my junior year and having no where to go.
I will have completed 4 science courses, 4 math courses, 4 English courses, and 4 social studies courses by my junior year, along with 5 1/2 electives, a PE credit, and a fine art credit. I plan to major in English and minor in journalism, so I have tailored my schedule to fit that; I plan to take journalism, newspaper, photojournalism, and creative writing.
I think I've covered all of the bases, so any info you have would be great. Thank you!</p>
<p>I would contact some of the schools you plan on applying to directly. I’m in the exact same boat as you, except that some of my four years of some of my subjects are going to come from community college classes instead of my high school. I work professionally as an actress, and own a small company, and 7 and a half hours of school interferes with a lot of the opportunities I could be taking and advances I could be making with both of my jobs. I just need a more flexible schedule, and I’m looking at full-time and part-time programs. </p>
<p>I have emailed about five or six schools so far to ask questions about my situation and how it will impact the admissions process, but also to ask if there is anything specific that will enhance the application of an early grad. Two schools told me that since I’m interested in the theater departments, that my academic experience looks fine for that, and that they would recommend just focusing on my auditions. One other school asked me about what high school and college classes I was taking next year and offered an alternative math class that they said would look better than the one I was planning on taking. Another school told me that as long as I had four credit years of certain subjects, they didn’t care at all whether I had accomplished it in four or three years. Different schools and different departments will have different opinions on it. So far, no school has discouraged it for me, and they have all been very helpful in giving me admissions advice. I would definitely contact the schools you plan on applying to, and explain to them (briefly) your situation, your reasons for graduating early, and ask how it will impact your admission. Maybe come up with some specific questions too, that pertain to you and your goals academically and professionally. Good luck!</p>