<p>I'm a junior right now, and I am taking 5 APs + Multivariable Calc at my local community college. I have 15 units of credit left to complete [civics/econ and physical education] which can be finished relatively easily, so I was thinking about graduating next summer of 2014, because I am hoping to free up the summer and following 2014-2015 school year to get more work experience (I currently teach ballet at my studio for reasonable pay) and I just feel socially/intellectually ready to move on. However, I am still skeptical of the process (I am going to talk to my counselor tomorrow though). Does anyone have experience with this? When should I start figuring out college apps?</p>
<p>I don’t see any particular reason to graduate early, especially if you’re able to take college classes in high school, especially if they’re cheaper than they would be if you weren’t still in high school. You’ll be working most of your life…you may as well go to school while you can.
Anyway, taking a year off to work after graduating from high school would be considered a gap year, and you can certainly do that after graduating at the normal age. But non-gap-year people from the class of 2014 are getting ready to apply to colleges right now. EA deadlines are around November 1, and regular deadlines are in January.</p>
<p>I agree that you should just finish out your high school years normally. I don’t see why you’re rushing to grow up so fast. College = money, stress of financial aid, etc. whereas high school = free public education (unless you go to a private school). If you are taking a dual credit system, I think you should take advantage of that. Financially, it’ll save you a lot. Even taking APs may cost you some money, but overall it is just a small fraction of what an actual college class would cost you.</p>
<p>To add on, you may think you’re socially/intellectually ready to move on but college is an entirely different environment. From what I’ve read here on this forum and other websites, kids who skip a grade or graduate early usually feel like a social outcast in terms of maturity and whatnot. A year is a big difference. Even students who are of age have problem making friends. College is an entirely different world from high school, IMO. </p>
<p>I think my senior year was when I grew the most, maturity wise, during high school. I wanted to graduate early as well and did a lot of research on CC to find that most people do not recommend it, not because you’re academically ill-prepared (most argue that you’re ready academically) but because your social/mental state changes a lot. Especially through ages 16-20 IMHO. </p>
<p>I don’t regret not graduating early, but I do regret not taking advantage of doing a dual-program where I’m getting college credit while attending high school!</p>