<p>hey I am thinking about graduating early, is it a good idea? I'm going to a public school in MISSISSIPPI and the education isn't that good and im not really learning all that much. Also, my ACT is 30 and I can pull it up 1 or 2 points and get a full scholarship at Ole Miss University, a pretty good state school. WOuld it be a good idea?</p>
<p>Also, if i take the PSAT, how will I be able to apply for scholarships since they dont notify you until beginning of senior year?</p>
<p>count me as one that says don't leave early.</p>
<p>College is not just about the courses you take, or it shouldn't be. Its the transitional bridge between childhood and adulthood, and you'll be making new friends, learning how to handle problems and setbacks, dating, and so on. For most people their ability to do these things increases with age; maybe its having more experiences, maybe neurology, more likely a combination. If you graduate early then you will be surrounding yourself with grade-level peers at least a year older than you, often two. If you don't have the same skills they have then the college years can be lonely and isolating.</p>
<p>Its a funny thing; you'd think that parents in affluent areas would be the ones pushing to get their kids to skip a grade ahead because they're convinced how bright Johnny is, but the truth is that the problem in wealthy communities isn't a push to promote ahead but fighting against keeping the kids behind! Look up "academic redshirting" on google and you'll see that parents in these communities are pushing to have their kids start later so that they're a year older than their peers and presumably more cognitively developed as well as physically bigger.</p>
<p>If you're HS isn't great then why not take some classes at a community college, arrange for a teacher to sponsor you in independent study for an AP test, etc?</p>
<p>well honestly im already half a year ahead of my peers and mature enough. Also I dont really care about partying and all that stuff because my main focus is first becoming a surgeon than enjoying life.</p>
<p>You may not care about partying now but you may later. And even if you don't, there are lots of other high school experiences you won't want to miss. Prom, senior year, all sorts of fun things.</p>
<p>Also - enjoy life ALL THE TIME! You have no idea when it will end, you might die in a car crash tomorrow! Wouldn't you have rather enjoyed life now than worked your tail off in order to deal with "later" and forgot about the present? Right now is when your life is, don't let it pass you by. Don't let your entire life be preparation for the future, enjoy the best years of your life.</p>
<p>Hey, have you thought about taking a year off? I didn't graduate early, but I did get out of my senior year with a Rotary youth exchange. I only need an extra credit and a half to graduate and I'm doing them online (which is a pain, but whatever). Rotary is also a great program because they pay for everything except for the airfare and insurance. </p>
<p>Anyway, exchanges aren't for everyone but there are tons of things that you can do with a year off. Look around online and see what you can find. There are so many programs to choose from, and you can probably find one that would assist your medical career. A gap year is also great for emotional/personal growth, so it can help you to better prepare for college even if you think you're already ready.</p>
<p>Don't graduate early.....<em>enough said</em></p>
<p>I wouldn't do it. Education is only one facet of life. What about having fun with your friends while you still can, while you're virtually free of responsibilities? In extreme cases graduating early could be beneficial, but unless you're having serious social problems or you're academically miles ahead of everyone around you (and I don't even mean that you're the smartest kid in the school, I'm thinking more along the lines of Rain Man), don't do it.</p>
<p>Don't graduate early. Take extra classes at community college/correspondance APs if you're that bored.</p>
<p>Go to visit the university you're thinking of attending. If you are truly serious about graduating early, then make it a longer and more involved visit (campus tours do not usually provide a good sense of what it is like to be an enrolled student, so sit in on classes and talk to current students rather than relying on the tour). Look through the university catalog before you go and dig through the website to see if there are student organizations that match your interests. After visiting you will have a better sense of whether your experience at college would be better than your current situation in high school.</p>
<p>As an admissions question, the answer is that graduating early does not help your admissions chances. The adcoms expect you to have everything that all of the other students have a year later. </p>
<p>Since you are saying that you can already go to the college that you want to attend, it is more of a personal question. It could be better for you not to love momentum by sitting thru senior year in college. On the other hand, you might be thrown off by going into freshman year early. It could work. Other people do it.</p>
<p>I can't answer your question about PSAT scholarships. The PSAT is not really that well known for providing merit aid, though. The money is reserved for only a few at the very top.</p>
<p>Graduating early is the best decision I've ever made.</p>
<p>The "highschool experience" is immensely overrated.</p>
<p>My sister graduated a year early. She was accepted to a small, private college but decided to spend a year overseas instead. She lived in a close, tight-knit environment with people about her age, and she loved it. She really grew emotionally and spiritually, and when she came back, she realized that she had already met her need for that small college atmosphere. She was more comfortable at a huge public university. </p>
<p>Sooo... like some other people said, it is a personal decision: stay in high school; skip a year and go to college; skip a year and take the year off... it totally depends on where you are in your life, and what you want or need (i.e. in a college). Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>I'd say go for it, but make sure you're positive that you want to skip. I skipped a year too (I'm a senior this year, sophomore last year) and I'm happy with my decision. It's up to you, but I'm very glad that I skipped a year, as is my friend who also skipped. Best of luck to you!!</p>