<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I'm currently a Junior in high school and stuck on the decision whether to graduate a year early or not. My reason for graduating early is that I have already exhausted most of my school's courses. I am already on my senior year of math, history, and science and would just have to double up on my English classes to fulfill all my graduation requirements. As of right now, I have passed 2 AP exams and gotten all A's in the four classes that I took this past summer at a university. Also, getting into the top universities in my state would be no problem since I would have automatic admission due to my pretty high rank. The only thing that makes me so indecisive about graduating early is not having that many senior friends which is what brought me here. Is staying in high school for my senior year just for my friends really worth it? My senior year classes would be all electives, most likely all AP electives, so would it be better just to graduate already and not waste a year doing nothing or wait a year and take unnecessary classes just to be with a couple of good friends. I'd be able to do all senior activities so I wouldn't really miss out.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>So you have more options, have you considered doing an internship/job for credit or having a half-day schedule?</p>
<p>If you really feel like you’ll actually have an advantage in graduating early then go for it. However it will probably hurt you in admissions. You will be competing against more experienced seniors. You need to really try to build your resume. Do an internship or something. You are more competitive than the average high school student, academically, from what I have read. It seems crazy to me that some body would not take advantage of that. Your senior year will be as much of a waste as you make it, as all years can be. Most people graduate early if they want a head start in medicine or something like that. Good luck, it’s ultimately your decision. </p>
<p>Graduated early isn’t smart. Take more AP’s, it looks WAY better than two.</p>
<p>Why the rush? What “finish line” are you racing toward? I raced thru school and again thru college and have always regretted not doing an exchange student year or gap year. I was ready for the academics but not seasoned/mature enough to take full advantage of the opportunities at college (hence my rush to finish that early). I think I would gave been better served to not start college until I was a year or two older. </p>
<p>I already have half of the day off which quite frustrates me since there’s really no opportunities for me to take advantage of since I live in a small town. Also, getting into the top public university in my state wouldn’t be a problem because of my automatic admission and because of alumni in my family that have previously attended there. So as for the college admissions part I’m really not worried since I only plan on applying to in-state schools. </p>
<p>If getting into the school is not a problem and you do not plan on applying elsewhere I don’t see the problem with graduating early. </p>
<p>Still try to make your gap year useful though. Maybe take some classes at CC relevant to your major if you can transfer them.</p>
<p>Hmm…not really advice, but if you’re serious about graduating early and want more options than just the top public university in your state, consider USC’s Resident Honors Program.</p>
<p>Do you have the option of taking dual-enrollment classes at a local college/university? Some states will pay for you to take college classes in high school, so you benefit financially from doing that rather than graduating early.
In most cases I don’t think people should graduate early, because at the very least staying another year will allow you to raise your test scores and get more scholarships. </p>
<p>Generally, I think it is to your advantage to have 4 years of high school experience compared to three, however if you really want to go with it, there’s nothing that could stop you and you seem to be a good position. Let’s put it this way, aside from the social and sentimental part of senior year (which you may later look back on), there is the economic aspect. Currently, you are getting an education for free (assuming you go to a public school) and you have an opportunity that not many people do: to take an year full of electives you enjoy.</p>
<p>It may give you time to explore what you really enjoy and if you take those AP exams, they can save you money and give you experience compared to if you just took it in college. Overall, if I were given the choice, I think the pros outwiegh the cons of staying for another year. As others mentioned, if you get early release or have extra time an internship could be useful. Also, I dunno how it works at your school, but at ours we have a “scholarship night” for all the seniors that they can apply to, so if you graduate early you may miss out on that</p>
<p>If you’ve exhausted your school’s courses, ask about dual enrollment. If that’s not possible, you could try taking some AP classes and major-specific electives. </p>
<p>My sister graduated early as a Sophomore in HS due to a wanting demanding major (Biomedical Engineering, which she is taking courses in) and wanting to be a doctor. She’s doing a phenomenal job, but at a community college. She’s transferring to top universities and wanting to go to University of California, Berkeley & University of California, San Diego. She doesn’t regret her decision either, but she thought a lot about it before deciding (she took the CHSPE in order to graduate early).</p>
<p>But for a University? I don’t know…you would have to call the universities you would want to go to and see what they say about graduating early and accepting you right away. I don’t think it’s a good idea to do that to go to straight to a University, just for community college - if your desired field is really that demanding.</p>
<p>I agree with the others, don’t graduate early if you want to go to straight to a university, you’ll be at a disadvantage and you will face more of a chance of dropping out of the university - if even possible of applying that early. </p>
<p>My stand, if want CC Transfer then graduate, if University then heck no. Senior Year is the best year overall in HS I heard, so don’t miss out and just wait patiently!</p>