<p>I just moved from chicago to mn and I hate my new school. I have always taken challenging classes (5's on all 4 of my AP exams so far) and I have a 32 on the ACT with good extracurriculars. If i graduate a semester early, will colleges look badly upon that? I would work full time and live at home for those 4 1/2 months.
A note: i would be only completing half of some of my yearlong AP/college credit classes</p>
<p>If you’re planning to apply to colleges where admissions decisions are based strictly on test scores and grades for core subjects (many public Universities are examples) then your proposed plan should work. You’ll have all the required credits for those colleges, and so you can state that you’re graduating in January on your application.</p>
<p>For very selective colleges it’s another matter. Your stated reason for finishing a semester early is likely to cause concern. That you won’t finish year-long AP courses is not wise from a learning perspective. And you’ll have to explain your reasons for doing this even after you’ve received acceptances, Finally the admissions process is easiest and smoothest when you’re physically in school and have access to all its resource. So if you plan to apply to very selective colleges I encourage you to complete your senior year.</p>
<p>If you can graduate early, and you have a solid plan for that “gap” semester, it can be a good decision. Without a solid plan, it would not be a good decision. What exactly do you want to do with that time off?</p>
<p>I think that if you explain it well (looking towards your accomplishments and plans rather than your hatred of your new school) it wouldn’t hurt and could possibly help.</p>
<p>Taking college classes during that time may affect your admissions status and make you a transfer, so check with your schools of interest before you do that.</p>