<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I was wondering if you can enroll full-time at a university but then apply as a freshman at another perhaps Ivy League or equivalent university after the first year. Would this mean that none of your credits could transfer over? And is this even possible? I would be in the same age group as most who apply as freshman (17-18) at that time.</p>
<p>Otherwise, I could spend another year of high school and apply as a freshman after taking classes part-time (3 classes a semester at most) as opposed to full-time (4-5 classes a semester) at said university. I’m a little afraid it’s a waste of money if I decide to do a par-time curriculum and apply as a freshman. Yet, chances of being admitted as a freshman are substantially higher than if I actually went full-time and then transferred. I just want to make sure that there are no other options I have to choose from. Another question: Would any of you rather graduate form college early than your peers (if you had the choice) or in more-or-less the same age group? Also how would graduate schools view this age difference? Positively, negatively, or be indifferent to it?</p>
<p>There’s a lot to be said in “keeping it simple” when it comes to following your high school course structure, and number of years. So my advise to you is to do absolutely as well as you can in your upcoming first semester senior year. Don’t make an issue of your age. Get exceptional recommendations, etc. And apply like any other senior.</p>
<p>After you get accepted to one of the colleges that is a top choice for you, if you’re worried that you’re too young, take a gap year. Many selective colleges allow that, and some even encourage it. You can find out which college does and which doesn’t by asking the admissions department. Then do anything that suits you during the gap year – taking courses, traveling, working, etc.</p>
<p>If you make it complicated by sort of taking the gap year before you even apply, my sense is that you’ll become a special situation candidate for the admissions committee. Depending on how you do during the extra year, they may accept you. My sense is that you would have to do exceptionally well.</p>