<p>kcajgnaw, why the urgency to enter college at such a young age? Go out and live life ... otherwise, you'll be burnt out academically before you're 21!</p>
<p>Is it possible to accelerate my schooling and gain early admission to Wheaton (College in Illinois)? </p>
<p>Some colleges will consider enrolling a student who accelerates his or her schooling and wants to enter college at age 15 or 16. However, Wheaton will almost never enroll a student more than a year younger than his or her freshman cohort group, and we discourage a student from doing so.</p>
<p>There will always be cases where someone like "Doogie Howser" entered college at a very young age. </p>
<p>BTW, have you contacted any schools regarding their admissions policy?</p>
<p>I started college work at 14 (at a CC though, close to home), will be graduating with an A.A. at 16, and going off to an actual four year school at a very young 17. If the OP is ready for college at an early age, why not? If you show the maturity, colleges will see that. You can at least try to apply and see where you get. (A lot, however, will depend on where you want to attend.) If you don't get in anywhere, at least it won't for a bad reason like grades that you can change or whatever; It will be because of maturity, but that is okay because you can apply again when you are more mature. My advice: try applying where ever you want to go. If you don't get in anywhere, try going to a CC for two years (it really isn't that bad. You'll only be 17 when you finish, and then you can prove that you can handle college classes) and then try to transfer. I think colleges would look very favorably upon that. (Probably even more favorable than a gap year. IMO, gap years are totally over rated.)</p>
<p>On a side note to the person asking about Wheaton:</p>
<p>My sister who graduated early applied to Wheaton at 17. She had close to two years of college done at local universities. She was rejected I think partly because of her age (although the Adcoms told us it was because she had credits from 4 different colleges, which made it look like she skipped around schools (in truth however, 3 of the schools were in our town (one of which she only had about 10 credits from that schools culinary school, which was for fun) and one was online.).) Best advice, call (don't email) and talk to a Wheaton rep personally and ask you questions. If you're going to do it, do it.</p>
<p>I really don't see what the big deal is about entering college at such a young age. Personally, I think if the student feels he/she can handle the work or at least confident enough to think so, GO FOR IT!!! It wouldn't kill you, it only gives you an early start.</p>
<p>Excuse me, everyone. I'm from Italy and I don't know very much about the educational system in the U.S.A.
All I think I have understood is that "college" usually means "university studies at undergraduate level". Am I right?</p>
<p>I'm just asking out of mere curiosity: How is it possible for people over there to enter university at such a young age?
Did I read "skipping years"? I guess you are absolute geniuses :) How do you do that?</p>
<p>I must admit that I envy the fact that you enter the professional environment much faster than us. </p>
<p>Aren't there any side-effects? Do you actually have enough - how to call it - "general education" before starting to specialize in a subject?
Or does the U.S. adapt its students as fast as possible to the work environment, without requiring any "eclectic/general" knowledge?</p>
<p>I finished 13 years of primary+secondary school this summer and I will be turning 20 this September, when I hope I will be able to find a undergraduate study; and very probably I will have much less employment opportunities. In this regard I think that age does matter.</p>
<p>The big deal isn't about entering college at a young age because of intellectual reasons...it's for maturity reasons.</p>
<p>I know a girl that skipped 2 grades...in at Harvard, but to be honest, I don't think she is mature enough. Do I hate her? Of course not! Am I jealous at times? Sure, but who isn't? The big thing though is that not a lot of people like her because of her big-shot attitude, not because she is smart or younger.</p>
<p>Okay, but isn't there a "standard" in "intellectual maturity"?
Remember, I'm still talking from the perspective of our education system.</p>
<p>What I mean: does a 15-year old know enough about the world (not emotional maturity; I really mean the different subjects, science, politics, languages, etc.) to be ready to even choose what she/he will do in college?</p>
<p>The answer to that is yes. Point-in-case is my friend. She knows what she wants to do, and can do it. Is it for everyone? Definitely not! If you are graduating at 15, it means you can do it, but why? </p>
<p>I know you aren't considering the emotional maturity of it all...but it's the largest piece you should be looking at.</p>
<p>Okay, I asked this only to make an example of what I'm trying to figure out. </p>
<p>Let's say some people studied only Math and Math-related subjects (science, computer, etc.) at a certain school and probably never chose other subjects because they either weren't there or they didn't like the teacher.
How can they know what to reject if they haven't even known enough material about the other subjects for a longer period of time?</p>
<p>I just turned 15, transferring to UCLA economics, junior. I've been attending community college, honors program, graduated at 14.</p>
<p>It takes a bit more effort, but a social life is possible. I have friends of all ages and drinking just isn't that important. Colleges have people of all ages on campus from teens to 70s. It isn't like high school where everyone is the same age.</p>
<p>I hope to go to Law school at Harvard and I will still be able to play Midget hockey at the local rink.</p>
<p>I don't live on campus, but that's my choice. I still want to surf, play hockey and play in my band. </p>
<p>Join clubs and talk to people, you'll do fine.</p>
<p>alero86 - Yes, in the United States, the word "college" is equivalent to the word "university."</p>
<p>It is uncommon for students to skip grades in the U.S. However, it does happen when teachers of gifted students believe that it would be beneficial for the child if he/she were placed in a more difficult academic environment. Basically, the current grade is not challenging enough for the particular student as he/she is just naturally smart. Eventually, this move would cause the child to graduate (and enter a university) at a younger age than his/her peers. Personally, I think it can be a great solution for some students and a bad one for others (given the opportunity). These students may be smart enough to handle the work at the universities. However, not all of them are mature enough to handle the social pressures, responsibilites, and living conditions away from home. Maturity is not taught in the classroom. It is gained in life experiences over time. It really depends on the particular kid as to whether he/she can handle the university life at a younger age.</p>