<p>I'm 19 years old right now. I finished high school as a Junior, and at barely 17 years old. I'm a very intelligent student. I took many different subjects during those 3 years. I wish to go to an Ivy League school, but I have no proof of my knowledge. I do not have any APs, and only one SAT subject test. I wasted 2 years since my graduation, because I went to an online university and left it after 3 months when I found out how terrible the education is, and how expensive (70 grand!!!). My dream is to go to Harvard or Yale. Is it too late for me? Did I screw up as a high school student because I took no tests for valid proof? I have one great talent - art. It is something I was born with. I also am fluent in Russian, as my parents are from there. </p>
<p>I am thinking of going to community college right now and taking CLEP, AP, and SAT subject tests while I am there the 2 years. Plus, I will have a 2 year degree (hopefully with honors) to show to universities. Is this the right thing to do? Please, I need help. I am getting depressed because I feel like there is nothing I can do anymore, and that I am a failure, especially since I wasted 2 years...</p>
<p>MOST people don’t get to go to the Ivy Leagues, and don’t suffer for it. Why do you want to go to that particular batch of 8 schools that have little in common? Why not go to an art school, or learn something else of interest that would make a good career?</p>
<p>Unless you can write a compelling story to H/Y about why you should go there and how they will benefit from having you, you, just like everyone else, probably don’t get to go there. Apply to those schools, and more realistic ones, like everyone else. </p>
<p>You haven’t ruined everything by not going to college right away. You’re barely older than most seniors. </p>
<p>How is your money situation? Do you live with your parents? What do you want to major in? I’d recommend taking the AP tests, if possible, this May. Or the CLEP tests whenever those are taken. AND the subject tests. AND figure out a little more about what you want and need and can do. The typical time to apply to top-tier colleges is in the late fall, and to community colleges is any time. If you really do have your heart set on those top tier schools, you need to also apply to other schools because they’re so hard for anyone to get into. They are also harder to get into (much harder) as a transfer student than as a freshman, so be careful about your CC plans. But all this depends on your financial situation, your relationship with your parents, and your college interests.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>If your thought is to earn as many college credits as possible, you will need to know what your university’s policy is for AP and CLEP credits. If you are serious about only looking at Harvard and Yale, you will not get anything at all from CLEP. Now if you keep you mind open to other possibilities, keep on reading.</p>
<p>Most universities will grant you something for the AP passing scores (and they will set what they consider a credit-passing score), though some will just allow you to jump ahead to the next class level. These tests are only given one time each year (early May) and you would need to find out what you need to do to get registered for them (at local high schools).</p>
<p>There are about 3000 colleges/universities that grant CLEP credit, many of them are community colleges, and there are more and more of both public and private 4-year colleges with published CLEP policies. The CLEP exams are given throughout the year. The key will be to find a local testing center (you can find a listing on the CLEP website) first and ask how often they offer the exams – some are daily, some are certain days of the week, some just once a month or quarter, etc.</p>
<p>Many of the general ed classes you would be taking at community colleges (or the first 2 years at a 4-year univ) could be covered by CLEP exams. Something to consider, but you don’t want to duplicate your coursework as universities will only grant credit for one, not both.</p>