<p>I have been going over this idea for quite some time now, and I cannot seem to reach a decision. I am a senior in high school and because I seem like I am more mature and academically way ahead of my peers (especially in the math and sciences) at the moment, am considering a graduation from high school. But the thing is, I can get a graduation degree if I complete four years of high school. Nevertheless, my desire to apply to college has never ceased because (a) I know what I want to study and roughly what I want to do in life and (b) I feel like not going to college will be somewhat a waste of my time since I would have practically exhausted all the resources available to me. </p>
<p>But the reason I cannot definitively set my mind to submitting my applications this year is that I am currently in California in an American school. Being a Californian student who wishes to be admitted to one of the most competitive schools in the United States with a high school diploma, I am afraid, might affect my chances into being accepted. My dream schools are MIT, Princeton, or Stanford. I know MIT and Princeton do not require high school diplomas; I'm not too sure about Stanford. </p>
<p>Another thing is that I have only taken one SAT II Subject Test and am planning to take the SAT I in December. I will also take my second subject Test probably January if the school allows me to submit my apps.</p>
<p>The important thing is that I feel I do not fit into my current high school class. I want to pursue my interests more deeply in a rigorios academic setting. Do you guys think I should talk to my counselors about my leaving high school to pursue higher interests?</p>
<p>Yeah, I’ve already taken the SAT II Biology Exam, the SAT I this December, and my second SAT Subject Test in January. I will have taken seven AP classes and maybe eight AP Exams by the end of my senior year.</p>
<p>You shouldn’t graduate as a senior. It will hurt your chances at getting accepted into college. Instead, you should stay in high school for as long as the law allows. Try to fail at least 3 classes, preferably one of them being english. If this is not enough to get you held back a year, then try getting suspended, as well. Repeat this for several years and your chances for competitive colleges like MIT and Stanford will improve greatly.</p>
<p>Other than that, I think you already have a pretty good shot. Good luck on your academic endeavors.</p>
<p>I don’t know if my school’s unusual, but most of the kids in my grade seem rather simple and so I don’t really end up having decent conversations with them. Some of my friends I can really talk to, but it’s not the same as being surrounded by intellectually stimulating peers, like say, older people? I don’t want to sound pretentious or condescending, but everyday I feel like I don’t really fit in in terms of academic goals or interests.</p>
<p>I’m interested in science and math, primarily; I wish to pursue either biology or physics.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your advices. I will consider every one of them.</p>
<p>I am a Californian student; I do not hold a Green Card. I do not know whether or not this will make a difference, but every day at school I cannot help but realize that I need so much more than just the classes and activities I have available to be at the moment. I don’t know if I could stand senior year. I wish to immerse myself in academics and subjects that I am interested in and really take advantage of all the resources around me. I think college is the best place to do that.</p>
<p>Going back to the Ask The Dean article, I actually do have a personal reason to want to college as well. It so happens so that I’m going to have to stay a year here in California with my mother after my father is off overseas - not only is that dangerous, but financially speaking, not too appealing.</p>
<p>Many of you have suggested college-level classes, either in a community college or online, and I will definitely consider the online option. Stanford’s EPGY sounds good.</p>
<p>I will also still consider graduating for my senior year since my goal is to get admitted to at least one of my dream colleges, but I think I will go talk to my guidance counselor on Monday to see what the school has to say about this. Again, thank you all! You guys are great.</p>
<p>^^^Sublime. Are you new to these forums lol? Have you seen the countless parody threads that were created? It is how things roll, even if it isn’t funny to you. Go with it, or don’t post in the thread.</p>
<p>My username itself is a parody of another ■■■■■ who had a username “basic Lawlz”.</p>
<p>Come back when you’ve calmed down.
All of my ■■■■■ posts are made to bring about posts like yours. Your posts in themselves are ■■■■■ posts in that way that they fit into the stereotypes of a ■■■■■ thread.</p>