Should I Graduate after my Junior year of HS?

Applying to College
1

<p>I am bored out of my mind at my rural high school, and am looking for other options to challenge me academically. I pretty much have enough credits to graduate after my junior year, if only I took a few classes at the local community college. Reed is my dream college, and in the event that I did graduate early, I would be applying there. But this is sort of a last minute decision (even though it's not really a decision yet), and a lot of things need to be considered:</p>

<p>To meet HS graduation/Reed admission requirements, I would have to take the following college classes over the summer and/or spring semester: English (1A most likely), Political Science or Government, Economics 1A, as well as a vocational education class that my high school requires (I might be able to get it waved in this case).</p>

<p>In addition to the extra classes, I would have to take the SAT and ACT like, this fall. I don't feel very prepared for either of them (I scored a 1910 on my PSAT and was hoping to break 2100 for the real deal). I didn't take the PLAN, and have no previous testing experience with the ACT, but want to break 30, AT LEAST. And if I wanted to take any subject tests, then I would have to do those, too. </p>

<p>AND, I would need to get started on my application essays! And do that whole deal-io.... All by..... let's say, November. </p>

<p>And if I did this, I would enter college as a 17 year old girl, and turn 18 in February, instead of entering as an 18 year old adult if I were to enroll normally. I'm not sure if this even matters at all.....</p>

<p>So there's that. And then there's the Reed part. Does anybody know how often they accept early action juniors? And let's say I apply after junior year, and don't get accepted. Would that hurt my chances when I re-apply? I want to emphasize that Reed is my DREAM SCHOOL. </p>

<p>And if I don't get accepted to Reed, what the heck would I do in the off year? Apply to other colleges? How many colleges accept students after their junior year? I don't want to go the community college route, because I DO NOT want to do the transfer thing. I want the traditional four-year college experience, just a year early. </p>

<p>I'm a straight A student, top of my class, and take community college classes as well as a few scattered ECs. </p>

<p>Basically what I'm asking is, what are the chances of Reed accepting me in this scenario?</p>

<p>And am I completely insane for considering this?</p>

2

<p>I frankly think you have a compelling story. I would call Reed directly and display out what you’ve shared here. Good luck</p>

3

<p>You might also want to check out The Gap Year Advantage by Karl Haigler and Rae Nelson, in the event that Reed doesn’t work out. Lots of interesting options for those who either graduate early, or what a year between high school and college (an increasingly popular choice.)</p>

4

<p>Thanks guys! I’m going to have my counselor call an admissions counselor at Reed, and if it doesn’t work out I will definitely check out gap year options!</p>

5

<p>you can also try checking out more selective colleges. it looks like you’ve got as good a shot as anyone else.</p>

6

<p>I know Reed is the place I’m going to be happy. All other colleges pale in comparison to Reed in my eyes. No matter how fantastic other colleges are, I know Reed is the place for me.</p>

7

<p>I should also probably mention that I am enrolled in four AP classes now, but have only taken one other one before this year. The Reed app is due January 15, which would be before I took any of my AP or SAT subject tests. And they would only have my first semester junior year grades. And they might not like that I would still need to take a college class over summer to meet HS graduation requirements. I know that I can keep the straight A’s through everything, but Reed doesn’t. They would basically have to take a leap of faith on me.</p>

8

<p>they might consider your second semester grades. and you could apply and see what happens. if you decide to reapply later, I don’t think it’ll hurt your chances.</p>

9

<p>That’s what I figured. So let’s say I dint get accepted and plan to reapply the following year. In the gap year, let’s say I was a full time community college student. When I reapplied to Reed, would I do it as a first time freshman or as a transfer? Because the norm for transfers is two years, but this would only be one…?</p>

10

<p>If you actually graduate from high school and go to community college, as opposed to dual-enrollment in high school, you would be a transfer student. That would affect scholarships as well, as merit aid is most generous to freshman. Why not see if you can stay in high school for your senior year, but take classes at a community college. You would have more time to study for SAT/ACT and possibly do an interesting independent study/EC project. Boredom is a lousy excuse to graduate early. Write a novel, organize a community service project, work with a nursing home to record stories. Use the extra year to become an interesting applicant. How are you going to look to Reed or any other college if you use boredom as an excuse?</p>

11

<p>I would very much suggest not being so deadset on Reed. Actually, I’m not sure why I’m trying to convince you because I was equally hardheaded about my school… Anyway, if you’re bored intellectually I suggest you explore graduating early. Nothing good comes out of staying in school when it’s not challenging enough. That’s how I picked up all my horrible study habits, and then some.</p>

<p>If you want to avoid being a transfer student I’d spend the year doing something that interests you. Taking part-time classes at a CC might not make you a transfer student also, not sure if that actually works though.</p>