I’ve been looking through the internet for some answers to this, but haven’t really found a solid answer given my circumstances. For some background, I am 18, a high school senior and have already applied and been accepted to my university of choice. I also have confirmed a full 4-year tuition scholarship to this university based on my performance from my first three years of high school. I was told by my counselor that I could graduate early, but I initially decided not to (I still felt too young at the time). I’m set to begin college in fall of 2017. Here’s where my issue lies. I’ve recently discovered that my high school, a charter school, is not very forgiving to those who want to work ahead of schedule. Senior year is mostly dedicated to helping you find your college (Which I think is a fantastic system, if you haven’t yet established a plan). But, because of this, I’m starting to feel that spending my time here is fruitless. I’m growing bored of my classes and would rather begin my work towards my major, rather than working on applications for colleges I know I won’t attend (not to mention paying all of those application fees). But, I’ve already started my senior year, and the thought of just… poof… leaving is strange to me. But college is something I still want. I just don’t know what to think. What to ask my parents to get their support, or is this even a viable plan to begin with? Heck, is it even still possible to just graduate early at this point? Any input would be Greatly appreciated. Also, thanks for taking the time to read this hulk of an anecdote.
That’s most likely something you will have to work out with your school. But if you already are accepted to college and you intend to go there, what can they do to hold you back if you have already completed the requirements? Also if you are sure you want to go there, you could take a lighter senior year courseload and spend most of your time doing an internship, a club you always wanted to be more involved in, or spend time doing other things. As far as I know, high schools can’t control what colleges you apply to if you decide to apply at all
I was in a similar situation in high school. I’d graduated early (all but the diploma). I’d been accepted into Dream College. My high school wasn’t offering me any further exciting courses . . . but I decided to stay in high school any way. I’m glad that I did because I was able to do so much outside of classes. My classes also were fun for me because they were all basically electives. In the end I also graduated with my class, which was fun.
The crazy thing was that after spending that “extra” year in high school, I then decided to work for an additional year before attending college. The result was that I started college a year later than most, instead of a year early. Those extra two years made all of the difference. I wish I’d taken another year off before college.
When I started college finally I was markedly more mature than my peers. They were wonderful and exciting and I loved them, but I’d had real-world work experience already. I’d traveled and had done things that others hadn’t, and this was before the days of expensive Gap Year programs. I had just worked in another state that was vastly different from the one I grew up in, and that experience–those many different jobs–gave me a lifetime of skills and stories that I tell myself. These weren’t my first jobs either. I’d been working throughout high school, and didn’t have anything like a pampered existence, but taking that extra year I matured physically and mentally. They helped inform my understanding of my classes once in college.
A lot of education lies outside of school and books. Also while it’s tempting to start college early, I’m really not sure what the rush is. This isn’t a race.
So why would you bother to apply to more schools?
I say you need to talk to your parents and guidance counselor about this and heavily discuss the pros and cons. I think with support and commitment either path will encourage you to choose what feels and what is best for your educational career. As far as talking to your parents, just tell them what you told us and explain the importance of it and together decide what is best for you academically. Best of luck! Oh and please give us an update sometime in the near future! 
I don’t understand why you would apply to more colleges. Just because that’s what most of the seniors are doing, doesn’t mean you have to. This is all kind of foreign to me because our school doesn’t use instructional time for kids to apply to colleges, but if you have a class or something where this is happening, why not simply ask to be excused from this and read a book or something? I also don’t see how applying to colleges can occupy all of senior year. Are you taking AP classes? Those really have to hit the ground running.
Sorry, I’m still new to the forum formatting, so I’m going to try to do this all in one go. @mathyone @PrimeMeridian It is a different method than most other high schools. In my case, it is required to take this college counseling class (as well as 6 other capstone courses) if I want to graduate from senior year. But, I already meet graduation requirements and can get my diploma. Yeah, I’ve taken AP classes. I have around 12 or 13 under my belt right now.
I just talked it out with my parents, and I think I may have something going here. @Dustyfeathers That is actually similar to what we’re thinking. Although, my classes currently aren’t really…fun, or easy for that matter. They’re attempting to mimic capstone projects that you’d take in college. A lot of it is for bragging rights for when students apply to, like, Stanford or Ivy’s. That’s the main reason I don’t care to continue my studies in high school. But interning and working, gaining experience, that’s a very wise choice and I plan on incorporating that in my plan.
Thanks everybody for your input! I’m going to give this a try and see where It takes me.