As of right now, I don’t know whether or not to stay back a grade. By the end of 7th grade, I had completed the highest level classes at my middle school. My counselor recommended that I skip 8th grade and go strait to 9th grade instead of repeating pointless classes. I ended up following her recommendation, but am now regretting the decision (Mainly because I don’t feel ready to graduate at 16). My current counselor has told me that staying back shouldn’t affect my chances for college, but I am still unsure of what to do/how it will affect my chances. Any opinions will be greatly appreciated.
For reference, I am currently a junior and have already taken AP World and AP Lang.
My current schedule is:
AP Bio
Spanish 2 (My previous school would not let us take foreign languages until sophomore year)
AP US
AP Lit
AP Stats
AP Calc AB
My schedule for next year will look something like this:
AP Environmental Science
Multivariable Calc
AP Gov
AP Computer Science
AP Physics C
AP Art History
Have you thought about taking classes through dual enrollment at your local CC?
I haven’t really considered doing DE because from what I have heard, the AP classes at my HS are much harder. The local CC also doesn’t offer an equivalent math class to what I would be taking.
You have to be careful with repeating a grade, or I assume you mean just taking 5 years to complete high school. Some colleges won’t count courses taken in that 5th year as part of your gpa. If you don’t feel ready to go to college, you can take a gap year after high school. There are a lot of things to do, like travel or go to school overseas for a year (languages, art, history).
Stay back, rack up college credits via AP for free. Enjoy high school. Find your passion.
If you end up with a higher gpa or higher test scores or do something extraordinary it may even improve your chances.
Would colleges still count the classes for strength of schedule?
You’ll get rigor credit either way, but you’ll be better prepared with the extra course work.
Can you take a year to a language immersion program abroad? Maybe go to a boarding school or do a home stay in another country?
I could do a year abroad (I have friends that have done it in Germany and Norway)
That might be a creative solution. I don’t think you want to hold yourself back or repeat a year and remain at the same HS, but to repeat 11th grade in another country and come back to finish up with your senior year, you’d give yourself some extra time and have a opportunity to experience something really unique.
I would suggest doing a year abroad using a group like Youth for Understanding or AFS or the like.