<p>I've skipped two grades, and (not to sound conceited or anything, so sorry if I do) am at the top of my class of over 1,100 students. Also, I'm ahead one year in English, and 2 years in Math, so I'll complete Calc BC by my senior year. My SATs are in the 700s, and I earn all As in IB/AP classes. I'm going to complete the IB diploma programme, so I am enrolled in the most challenging classes available at my school. So...any thoughts on if this is a positive thing? If colleges will consider this negatively with my maturity? I'm considering these colleges: Stanford, Rice, UC-Berkeley, Duke, Yale, Cornell. Thanks a lot in advance. =)</p>
<p>How old will you be by the time you’re entering college? You should check with individual colleges about if your age will affect admissions. I know last year a girl on CC said Macalester rejected her because she was only 16 and their insurance couldn’t legally cover her or something.</p>
<p>Other than that, I don’t think it will really affect you. Essay topic?</p>
<p>Oh, that’s not cool…I’m going to be 15 and 13 months when I graduate. (Okay, 16. Happy? =) ) Well, is there any chance this could positively affect me at any colleges? And I forgot Princeton! Aargh! I forgot one of my dream colleges! I did e-mail some those listed universities, but I got very vague answers that didn’t answer my question.</p>
<p>You are competitive but other than age I don’t see anything to differentiate you from the rest of the applicants to those schools.</p>
<p>As for essay topic, I’m not sure. I’m not a senior. =) But I have been thinking about: swimming (we are umm…not very good but we’re a great team), my confidence/communication with people, how I appreciate my childhood even more because I’m younger, researching for National History Day (one of my MAJOR activities, I’ve placed at nationals), etc. It’s really hard to express your entire character/life on a sheet of paper. I mean, how would I describe myself? Curious, sarcastic, rather cynical, Haagen-Dazs ice cream, sentimental, very determined, George Orwell, not easy to bully, the Beatles, confident, sometimes rather selfish, Harry Potter, my upright piano. I find it incredibly difficult to portray yourself fairly in just an essay. I know my topics don’t look good, but I have time left.</p>
<p>Erin’s Dad: Hi! =) I [am] also: an active officer in Student Council, organized, initiated, and maintained a recycling program, on the swim/softball teams, placed at nationals in the National History Day program, have played the piano for 8 years and the guitar for 3 years, been recognized at regional art contests (I live in Houston), regularly volunteer, in National Honor Society, Academic Decathlon, Quiz Bowl.</p>
<p>Oooh! And I’m also thinking about somehow incorporating Greek mythology into the essay. I LOVE Greek mythology. =D</p>
<p>Being 2 years younger is not a hook, but I don’t think your age will be held against you. </p>
<p>Generally, though, I would advise against skipping grades. Why put yourself at a disadvantage by competing for a spot in college with kids who’ve had two more years to mature and build their apps?</p>
<p>Hi 007,</p>
<p>I am afraid to say that I don’t think that skipping a grade will help you in the admissions process, but it wont hurt you either. So is it really factor? Probably not, I do not think colleges care what age their applicants are as long as they are the best they can get. Also, I have to agree with choklit, I cant see any advantages of skipping grades, it only puts you at a disadvantage, and limits your maturity in high school. Also, taking BC calculus is not necessarily skipping 2 years of math because im taking BC calc in my senior year also and I havent skipped any grades.</p>
<p>Regards,
Google</p>
<p>You basically get no advantage for skipping grades.</p>
<p>I skipped the 1st and 5th grades, so my high school time will be like everyone else’s…</p>
<p>And to googlechief, in my school district, the advanced math in 8th grade is Algebra I. Then Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Cal, Calc AB, and Calc BC. I took Alg I in 8th grade, Alg II that summer, Geometry as a freshman, and Pre-calc as a sophomore. So what I meant was that I’m 2 years ahead in math in my school district. =)</p>
<p>I skipped 8th, a grade that actually somewhat matters and i’m not betting on it helping me at all towards college</p>
<p>Sixteen-year-olds are pretty routine among the entering freshmen at all the top colleges in the land. If you are well prepared to go to college (academically and socially), you will have a good shot at being admitted. Skipping a grade or two is neither a hook or a hindrance–the important thing is to be ready for college when you apply.</p>
<p>“You basically get no advantage for skipping grades.” - Demiitasse </p>
<p>Well, not to sound conceited or braggy or anything like that, but I really was bored in my clases. I mean, my classes weren’t “intellectually stimulating”, and I already knew the material. So I skipped grades to challenge myself more…I think it depends on the person.</p>
<p>How is taking AP Calc BC by senior year being ahead two years? My S took this his sophomore year, then moved on to Linear Algebra and is now taking MV Calc his senior year. I would contend that is being two years ahead, at least at his HS because they don’t offer those last two classes.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure demitasse means “no advantage in college admissions”.</p>
<p>Also, how can you be 15 years and 13 months old?</p>
<p>HIBT?</p>
<p>That was a joke…it’s like, I’m so close to graduating at fifteen, but we graduate in May, so yeah. Get it? IDK, my sense of humor is sort of weird. =D Oh, I see what Demiitasse meant. Sorry. =)</p>
<p>To FindAPlace: Once again, my school works differently. The highest math offered in 8th grade is Algebra I. Then Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Cal, Calc AB, and Calc BC. I took Alg I in 8th grade, Alg II that summer, Geometry as a freshman, and Pre-calc as a sophomore. So what I meant was that I’m 2 years ahead in math in my school district. When I’m a senior, I SHOULD be taking Pre-Calculus…</p>
<p>I’m in your same situation, and I don’t think it helps or hurts us in terms of admissions. But as much as it can suck to be younger sometimes (getting your drivers license as a senior, etc.) I think people need to understand that when we do this, it’s not for bragging rights. It’s because our normal grade isn’t doing us a bit of good. If it weren’t for my baby face that looks even younger than I actually am, nobody would be able to tell that I’m not 18 like the rest of the class. We learn to adapt. We grow up a little faster. But in the end, it’s for the best.</p>
<p>Calc BC in senior year is ahead? Kids at my school have taken Calc 2 (college calc) by junior year.</p>
<p>I went to college at 16, and my D (who skipped a grade in elementary school) will be going a year early. It was my experience, and it has been my D’s, that provided the age difference is not extreme you tend to adapt to your social surroundings, so your level of maturity is likely to be on a par with others in your grade, not necessarily others your chronological age.</p>
<p>I don’t believe that my age was either an advantage or a disadvantage in college admissions. It was helpful to complete my BA young, because my career required a long postgraduate program and is often hard to combine with family life down the road. I didn’t have this problem because I could finish my PhD, get well underway in my career, and still have plenty of time to have kids in my 30s.</p>