<p>I am from a rather small PUBLIC school in Michigan with a class size of about 90ish.</p>
<p>As it can be imagined as a school with class sizes <100 I have had little opportunities offered to me. While the school is in no way bad...95%+ college bound it is small and limited. Essentially it is extremely effective at getting kids into either Michigan or Michigan State and little more. For example: The only EC's at the school are NHS and Varsity sports. There are a total of 3 AP classes offered. This makes me laugh and at the same time cringe as i see most of those posting here have more AP tests to their name than my school even offers.</p>
<p>My dillemma results from the fact that as can be imagined i ran out of curriculum at my high school this past year (sophomore). I meet the low end of the MIT acceptance criteria as a sophmore as far as test scores go. This fall my junior year i will be taking a full load at "Michigan State University" about 25 credits, the school picks up most of it :) Would MIT or another University look at this as, me making the best of my situation OR still sub-standard to the backgrounds of those from better high schools?</p>
<p>My real question is: Should I stay another year at high school and complete my senior year while padding my course load with another year at MSU and raising test scores OR graduate early from a small school as a white male with average/low test scores for MIT?</p>
<p>To give an idea of where i am at as an entering junior this fall: ACT=31, SAT II (MTH IIc 750, Bio 740, Us Hist 700), SAT I (?) AP Bio 5 and Calc AB 5</p>
<p>Thanks for reading... and if you have any suggestions or ideas i would greatly appreciate them.</p>
<p>I know how you feel. My school offers two or three AP classes and is more focused on getting people jobs or into community colleges than into Ivys. Don't get me wrong: the school's great, but there aren't many things to help people like us.</p>
<p>I've been reading the site and blogs for a few weeks now, and I'd say MIT's willing to consider the circumstances as long as they know about them (perhaps your counselor could mention these things in his/her rec). I'd say they would see your MSU courses as you doing making the most of the resources around you (especially with as many as you're taking).</p>
<p>You could self-study for another AP or two; my school only goes up to Calc AB, but my teacher's already said she'll help me study for BC (hopefully she'll mention this in her rec as well ^_^).</p>
<p>IMO a lot depends on your level of maturity. Our son matured a great deal during his senior year. And, the maturity required to make good decisions away from home is somewhat different from that required to live at home and do well in school, IMO. Will you be living at home next year?</p>
<p>I know it could be hard to get a reading on this, but IMO it is important to consider.</p>
<p>I will be living at home my junior year in high school. I believe that my maturity level is at par with someone a year or two older than myself...I have been around "peers" that are 2 if not 3 years older in all of my high school classes and in fact communicate better with people at that higher intellectual level. Plus seniors are cool to hang-out with... I don't really think maturity will be a problem i will face. I will concede that college will be new and different but, that is a problem all freshman face.</p>
<p>I was more curious as to the implications i would have entering a place like MIT early VS. another insignificant year in HS in which i would be at a college most of the time anyway.</p>
<p>since you'll actually be attending college classes most of the time, that pretty effectively cancels out any limitations of your high school. A student from a stronger high school might have more AP courses, you'll have more college courses. Comes out about a wash. (consider taking the AP exam also if you take corresponding college courses). You could apply to your dream school(s) junior year, and if you don't get in, stay in the dual enrollment program and apply again senior year.</p>
<p>I can't really help you on that specific question. However, I believe that USC has a program specifically for people going to high school a year early. It might be worth looking into, in addition to your other ideas.</p>