<p>Hello! This might be a lengthy post, so I apologize in advance, although I greatly appreciate any and all replies. Thank you!</p>
<p>I am a junior this year and am planning my senior year right now. I am considering three options: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>doing the traditional senior year and taking a full and rigorous courseload of AP English Literature, Math 150 (Community-college calculus), Political Science (Community-college course), AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science, and AP Music Theory (to fulfill a graduation requirement). I would also be the elected President of Math Club and Model United Nations (MUN) Club; I could also develop other extracurricular activities, although it would be quite late in the game for that (so I'm not sure how much use that would be; these would be activities I enjoy doing, but don't have to).</p></li>
<li><p>studying first semester of senior year, graduating early, and going abroad to China for second semester until Fall 2012/college. I am 100% Chinese but never went to Chinese school or visited much (financial reasons); learning Chinese, the culture, and my heritage is a HUGE priority to me. I am eventually going to do this anyway; it's just a matter of timing and making sure that I find the time too. But it means a lot to me. This option would mean getting all applications in order ahead of time and taking a few unweighted, regular charter school classes over the summer and then a full courseload first semester to have enough credits to graduate early. Extracurriculars-wise, I would probably end up with the same developments as if I did the entire senior year (since second semester doesn't go on the college application).</p></li>
<li><p>taking the entire senior year to go to China, which would be leaving in September 2011. I would take charter school classes this summer, finish my applications in August/early September, and graduate early. My extracurriculars may or may not take a hit though. I wouldn't be in school to be President, although maybe I could be like President-at-large if I contribute a lot over the summer (with planning, getting materials ready); I was also planning on starting a few projects to add on to what I've already done, to sort of flesh out my ECs more fully (would be fun; they wouldn't be just for college) over the summer. I don't believe that I'll be missing out academically at school, because my high school isn't that rigorous in reality, not much learning takes place, and it's quite inefficient; I'm confident that I can read on my own and learn well that way, so I feel that I am responsible and able to handle college academics. The only potential really-bad problem is Calculus. I'm taking pre-cal this year (I skipped math last year because I would've had a terrible teacher and took two sciences instead.). The reason I would rather take the full year off instead of one semester is because I feel that I will personally benefit more (in maturing, personal growth, learning responsibility, etc.) from going to China than staying at school (where I feel like I've learned all that I ever will and am really just staying to get through it to the end prize - diploma and college; this is really a bit stronger than just "over it"). I realize that I'd miss prom, senior yearbook signing, spray-painting senior benches, being totally DEGAF and laughing at freshmen, but I'm fine with it; I'd have no regrets and take total responsibility for this decision and its consequences. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>What are your thoughts and recommendations?</p>
<p>Numbers: 2250 SAT (800 Reading, 750 Math, 700 Writing, 8 essay), 790 Bio, 790 Literature, 5s on Bio/Euro history/Spanish Language, 3 on Physics C, 4.7 weighted GPA, 4.0 unweighted GPA, top 10% of class</p>
<p>Others: Asian, female, 40k/year, immigrant parents</p>
<p>I'm planning to apply to: NYU, UCLA, UCSD, Brown, Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Dartmouth, and Oxford.</p>
<p>Thank you again!</p>