<p>I am a high school student and perhaps an unwelcome intruder, but I thought I would take the chance of asking for advice and stories from those with so much experience. I have decided to earn 2-years of transferable credit, while in high school at a community college. Though I intend to apply to some schools through QuestBridge (A program for low income students to apply to top colleges), since none of those schools will accept any transfer credit I feel like my most viable options are the public schools within my state. </p>
<p>I am blessed to be in a state with many good schools, but there are only two I'm seriously considering. They represent different forks in the road of my life in that one is a liberal arts school and the other is a more technical school. While completing 64 hours at my community college I do have a bit of choice in the classes that I take. One of my concerns is that most of the courses are online out of necessity and that I will not really get the chance to experience what the subjects are really like during my first two years of college. </p>
<p>After beginning at either of these colleges Id be able to stay 4 full years, but there would be a tuition surcharge. During the two years I currently plan to stay, Im considering a BA in Philosophy and Public Policy with a minor in Chemistry at one or a BS in Philosophy, Political Science with a minor in Science, Technology, and Society at the other. Im not sure whether I want to be a professor, attorney, or educational administrator (Superintendent or above) and Im not sure how Im going to figure out what Im most interested in.</p>
<p>More importantly, I find that in choosing to take my first two years of college and in predetermining what college I want to go to, I am making very important decisions in my life and without much guidance. My parents are quite literally incapable of providing logical advice, my counselor is inexperienced, and the community college will not allow me an advisor until well after Ive had to make most of these decisions. </p>
<p>Thus I would like to know what advice you might give me in life or in my situation if you were my parent, advisor, or if I were a younger version of you. Id hate to think Im making a huge mistake in my life so early. In other words, what do you tell a beginning community college student who has a view concerns, goals, and is smarter than the average bear?</p>
<p>If I understand you correctly, you plan on getting all 64 college credits while you’re in high school?</p>
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<p>If the above is true, what you’re doing may not be the best plan. What you’re essentially doing is shifting the need to make your decisions up by 2 years. Tons and tons of people enter college undecided in their major, but you’ll be entering as a junior. If you expect to stay for only 2 years, you’ll have to know what your major is immediately. Also, depending on how your major is structured, you may not even be able to complete it in 4 semesters. Some programs have several tiers of prerequisites that would prevent you from filling in your schedule each semester. This is probably more true of science and engineering majors, but you mentioned it may be a possibility.</p>
<p>My personal recommendation would be to relax and give yourself time to experience different fields. Look at it this way: what are you really gaining by graduating 2 years earlier? You’re possibly increasing the risk you’ll study something you later hate… it’s much harder to go back and redo college if this happens.</p>
<p>Yes, I’m allowed to use college credits as high school electives and some required classes… the public colleges in my state are required to accept all community college credit even if it was used for high school requirements. I’m exempt from tuition by law and the state pays for my books.</p>
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<p>I do understand this and it is one of my concerns. I wouldn’t consider it shifting up my need to choose as I will get 2 years of full-time enrollment just like everyone else. I didn’t consider that I could stay more than 4 semester if need be, although I may have to get a part time job or use savings from previous work. I’m pretty sure of what I want to major in although I’ll have the next 2 years to explore I’m just afraid that my undergraduate work isn’t really related with my graduate school options and I’m not sure what to do about that.</p>
<p>As for law school and just in general, I’m assuming I really need to adopt college related activities instead of just attending classes. At the moment I’m hoping to join the business group, get an on-campus job, hopefully qualify for the honor society and become a tutor after first semester. I’m also thinking about what else I can do.</p>
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<p>I’m not sure how I’d accomplish that. My school is built around the premise of earning free college credit and transferring to any other high school is not really a viable alternative. What I’m left with is applying to top schools who consider me a freshman. Even if I’m accepted, and I doubt I will be, is it worth giving up two years of credit?</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice</p>
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<p>That’s assuming I get selected and QuestBridge is a very difficult program to be accepted to. Again my question here is that is going to a top school worth forgoing Junior Standing and a free ride at a first tier public school?</p>
<p>With plans for a post bachelor’s degree I would recommend getting the toughest/challenging courses you can to best prepare yourself. Will your community college be filled with highly intellectual students? Will the coursework be as rigorous? Will the variety of interesting academic course offerings be as great? You may be shortchanging yourself by not associating with the “best and brightest” of your state by avoiding the top 4 year colleges in your state once you have your HS diploma. Not all college courses are created equal to each other- sure, you may have the credits, but will you have the same knowledge base and critical thinking practice? This is important in math and the sciences as well as social sciences/humanities. Also, do not give up the freshman experience of going away to college if you can. So much occurs late nights, much education obtained by talking with one’s peers after hours.</p>