GED: The Right Track for Me?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey there,</p>

<p>In advance, thanks for reading this and happy turkey day for those of you who celebrate it. :) In short, I am an good student (described as "industrious" and "diligent"). However, I have been bored with high school since (practically) day one. I am a sophomore, and I am still tired of high school.</p>

<p>I like the school I am at and the friends I have (although they are 1-2 grades above me). I have a 3.77 GPA (somehow) with getting all B's and a C this first trimester. This scares me a lot, because I have never gotten a C on a report card. I usually get A's with a few B's thrown in. I am a hard worker- although high school is boring, I still complete all my assignments. The work isn't hard, it's just so dull (I'm sure many of you can relate).</p>

<p>I'm fed up with this monotony! I love learning, actually. I am teaching myself Japanese; I read books on Japanese history, culture, language, etc. I listen to (almost exclusively) Japanese music. i also love Korean, as I plan to take it at a community college next year. I also love teaching myself the piano, writing novels/screenplays/short stories/etc.</p>

<p>I am guessing that a lot of people will say to suck it up, but when I think of spending another 2+ years learning things I don't want to know... it drives me insane! I've been thinking of homeschooling/alternative paths since I began high school, and I'm not even half way done with high school!!</p>

<p>If I discontinue with high school, I would most likely either a) study abroad at a high school in Japan for a year (instead of 11th grade here) and get a GED. OR b) get an GED and take classes at Community College for a year (instead of 11th grade). OR c) Combine the two (study abroad for a year, get a GED, and take CC classes for a year). AND THEN (all options) transfer (if attended CC) or apply normally to Temple University in Japan (and they accept GED).</p>

<p>What are your thoughts on this? Any comments or suggestions? I'm desperate. :(</p>

<p>Thank you so much for your time, I really appreciate it.
Rayna</p>

2

<p>Or I could transfer to another high school, complete my Junior and Senior year in a year, then attend a Japanese language school for 1-2 years, and lastly apply to college in Japan.</p>

<p>Do any of these seem like a reasonable alternative?</p>

3

<p>You might also consider applying to college early. The truth is that very few colleges actually require their applicants to have completed high school. If you can demonstrate that you are “college ready” most colleges will admit you. Some will admit students as early as 9th grade age. Google “early college” and you can find out more about it.</p>

<p>Since you are interested in Japanese, you should look into exchange programs such as those offered through [AFS</a> Intercultural Programs](<a href=“http://www.afs.org%5DAFS”>http://www.afs.org) and [Youth</a> For Understanding](<a href=“http://www.yfu.org%5DYouth”>http://www.yfu.org) Many high schools in the US will give you credit for your year abroad, so you might be able to go to Japan for a year, and then come back to finish high school here - or go straight into college here.</p>

<p>As for attending university in Japan, you should contact the closest Consulate of Japan and ask the Education Officer to help you find out what you need to know.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>

4

<p>happymomof1, thank you so much for your response. Wow, 9th grade? I will do that, thank you! I’m sure my high school would accept credits for studying abroad, but I have already asked my parents about that option (and their answer was a no).</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>