High School Diploma vs. CHSPE

<p>I am a current HS junior at a CA public school. Last year I took the CHSPE and passed, and I am considering leaving high school and going to a CCC for the spring 2011 semester, as opposed to finishing high school and getting a diploma.</p>

<p>As of now, I have 4.0 uw hs gpa, and around a 4.5 weighted, but I am becoming increasingly burnt out. I do not want to sacrifice all of the motivation I have left in an uninspiring high school setting. I have taken several community college courses while in high school and I have found the quality of the classes to be higher than my high school ones.</p>

<p>I am wondering however, if I go the CCC route and choose to transfer, will there be any sort of stigma that would affect college admissions because I did not obtain a high school diploma as opposed to many other transfers? I do not have any extenuating circumstances that would cause me to leave high school early aside from my extreme displeasure, so I feel as though colleges will question that. I am considering UC's and several selective privates.</p>

<p>I feel inclined to go to a community college for financial reasons as well, as I want money for grad school once I finish undergrad. I guess my overall question is to stay in hs or go to a community college (and if it looks bad that I did not finish high school the traditional way)</p>

<p>I'm pretty indecisive and any advice or insight would be well appreciated!</p>

<p>UCs will not care one bit. UCs don’t consider HS at all.</p>

<p>it might vary private to private. That said, for privates while it varies case by case, I’d say it really depends on how you spin things. You had a stellar GPA in HS, if you have a similar level of performance in CC, you’ll be in the running for ivies more likely than not.</p>

<p>I will probably end up at a UC (though I would prefer a private) so that’s good to hear. I am confident I can achieve a great GPA at a CC, and probably in HS I could maintain my GPA, although since I have few EC’s I almost feel like that would affect me more negatively as a freshman admit, than a transfer (at a UC at least)</p>

<p>Don’t UC’s look at high school records even a little? I don’t plan on doing the TAG program, so I would be a normal transfer.</p>

<p>UCs don’t care about your hs record AT ALL. they only care about your record in college if you r a transfer.</p>

<p>This was me, last summer - except I went with a GED (much more frowned upon than the CHPSE, as I’ve found…) and I freaked out. But I had a good highschool record, and did well in community college. I’m not transferring to anywhere crazy selective - but still schools that probably with my High School grades I wouldn’t have been able to get into - and from everyone I’ve talked to, I should be in.
Plus, that burnt out feeling? It totally disapeared, I definitely belong in college as opposed to highschool. I really, really recommend it.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone. I’m glad to hear about your experience lexsi, as I was hoping the burnt out feeling will vanish (and from what I’ve done at a CC, the classes are more enjoyable) Good luck on admissions too.</p>

<p>I’ve enrolled in a CC, and left high school now!</p>

<p>Congrats! I went the CHSPE route as well, and I’ve met a surprisingly large amount of fellow students at community college who have done the same thing. </p>

<p>This is belated advice, but just be sure that the colleges you’ll apply to take the CHSPE as an equivalent if they require a HS degree. From what I know, only CA schools are bound by law to do so. That being said, I haven’t run into any problems. I wish you much happiness in the future.</p>