<p>I have been thinking for awhile about graduating a year early from high school. </p>
<p>A little background on myself, I am currently in 9h grade with a 4.0 going into this year. School has always been incredibly easy to me, without very much effort. I am older for my grade and more mature then my peers. This year I am taking Geometry CP plus Algebra 2 online by myself. I am extremely involved in extracurricular activities, Varsity Golf and Tennis, Debate team, and MGA or Government club. I am also an Eagle Scout. (Sorry for so much information). </p>
<p>I will be able to graduate my junior year with a little extra work on my part (online classes). I have aspirations of going to good colleges such as Dartmouth, Georgetown University, Yale etc. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to graduate a year early or not.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>NO. </p>
<p>Don’t do it just to do it. If you think it would be thoroughly beneficial for you then do it. I don’t see why anyone would as really there is no gain. Take advantage of the free classes you can at your high school (APs) that will later save you money in college. Why rush straight there? Maturity is also another factor I will turn 17 after junior year and would be going to school with people 5 years older than me if I were to graduate early. Honestly that doesn’t sound attractive to me at all. Definitely don’t do it because you can. if you don’t know your intended major or career its a bad idea. If you stay in HS you will have one more year to build relationships with your teachers and GC for recommendations as well as to build your application (ECs). The only real positives to graduating early is that you’ll get to college and then out to the work force one year earlier, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll have a job one year sooner. Honestly, I don’t like high school and I’m really looking forward to college, but to graduate early you have to start the application process after sophomore year and have your standardized tests done. Overall I think it’s beneficial for everyone to grow and learn about themselves as much as they can before college. Don’t rush it. once you graduate high school you can’t go back to the dependence and carelessness of being 17.
Maybe I don’t see the positives because I’m only a sophomore and I’ve never really considered it. I don’t know.</p>
<p>I do have a pretty firm idea of what I want to major in / have a career in. Would graduating early hurt my chances getting into let say Dartmouth opposed to graduating in 4 years and then applying to Dartmouth</p>
<p>Not directly, but IMO there’s no good reason to graduate early, especially if it would require taking online classes. Four years will give you more time to show leadership/commitment in your ECs and write amazing essays…and not doing these things can definitely hurt you.</p>
<p>Most high school graduation requirements aren’t that extensive, and you should really be exceeding them anyway. If you run out of AP classes to take at your high school, consider dual enrollment.</p>