So I’ve virtually exhausted all of the classes my school offers. Specifically, I’m trying to figure out how I can take higher level math and science classes.
For next year, I have two options.
- I enroll full-time at a very good state school that’s 90 minutes away from where I live. I’d live up there for the week and drive down on the weekends. It would mean limited involvement in a lot of the things I do outside of school, but at the same time, I’d get to take some really awesome classes. I’d enter with a lot of prerequisites for high level courses taken care of (Lin Alg, Diff Eq, Multivar, OChem, etc.) and I’d always have the option to return to my HS if they don’t give me the courses I want to take. I’d have to finish my HS graduation requirements at the college, but that would still leave me with the option to take courses I’m interested in. The credit would most likely transfer to some colleges (including my top choice MIT), but a lot of places won’t accept them since they were taken while dual-enrolled.
- I petition to get a lot (like 6 semester credits) of Independent Study courses at my HS (you write up a proposal and the administration stamps it - I know they’ll be approved). I’d OCW a lot of courses I’m interested in, like Abstract Algebra, Differential Geometry, and Inorganic Chemistry. I’d be paired with teachers who I know well and, for the most part, aren’t really knowledgable in the fields but would still be willing to supervise me. I’d get a letter grade from my HS but, of course, no college credit. For reference, I’m doing a similar thing for AP Physics C this year and it’s a nice arrangement.
I’m having trouble deciding which of these is in my best interest. Also, I’m not sure how these will be judged in the context of college admissions. Thoughts?