<p>ok here's the deal: i'm a sophomore now. I have taken 4 ap's this year and will take 5 next year. I hate my school and there's nothing I really wanna take after next year. I skipped a grade in most of my classes (more in math, I've already taken BC calculus). I wanna be a senior in the fall. After sophomore year, I ALREADY have enough credits to graduate lol, so that won't be a problem, and I can take another year of gym before school. I just wonder--what problems would be posed if i do this? do you people think this is logically possible, with colleges and sat's and whatnot? thanks for all of ur input!</p>
<p>Yes, if you have enough credits then it is certainly possible. Talk to your guidance counselor at school to see how you can arrange it. Have you already taken the PSAT/SAT/ACT?</p>
<p>count me as one that says don't leave early.</p>
<p>College is not just about the courses you take, or it shouldn't be. Its the transitional bridge between childhood and adulthood, and you'll be making new friends, learning how to handle problems and setbacks, dating, and so on. For most people their ability to do these things increases with age; maybe its having more experiences, maybe neurology, more likely a combination. If you graduate early then you will be surrounding yourself with grade-level peers at least a year older than you, often two. If you don't have the same skills they have then the college years can be lonely and isolating.</p>
<p>Its a funny thing; you'd think that parents in affluent areas would be the ones pushing to get their kids to skip a grade ahead because they're convinced how bright Johnny is, but the truth is that the problem in wealthy communities isn't a push to promote ahead but fighting against keeping the kids behind! Look up "academic redshirting" on google and you'll see that parents in these communities are pushing to have their kids start later so that they're a year older than their peers and presumably more cognitively developed as well as physically bigger.</p>
<p>Now some people are ready to make a leap early, but for most people I think they're trying to escape something by graduating early rather than being that rare person who's maturity lets them easily mix with those a year or two older than them.</p>
<p>If you are bound and determined to graduate HS then at least investigate taking a gap year before college. You can search on these forums because it has been discussed repeatedly.</p>
<p>mikemac makes a good point about maturity and readiness for college. Obviously you are academically prepared, but that's not the only consideration. Do you have a "late" birthday or are you one of the youngest in your class? How emotionally mature are you, compared to your peers? Are you male or female?</p>
<p>Speaking for myself, I started school early and was always the youngest in my class. I was 17 when I started college, although I lived at home. I did not have any problems adjusting academically or socially. But that was many years ago, I didn't move away from home for college, and this is only one person's experience/opinion. You and your parents will have to decide what's right for you.</p>
<p>If you're ready, you're ready. Mine went to college 3,000 miles away after what would have been "sophomore year" (we homeschooled), and it worked out just fine. Or just take a year off! There's no sense wasting time in a place you don't need to be.</p>
<p>Get a sleeping bag and go to Europe (my wife did at 17). Or go to India and volunteer (my d. did at 17). Apprentice yourself to a violin maker. Go to the Shelter Institute and learn how to build your own home. Colleges will love you for it. in Maine In fact, some of them, starting with Harvard, are strongly encouraging gap years. So take yours a year early.</p>
<p>You're not TERRIBLY young but I think you will miss out on a lot of social stuff that will prepare you for college and just be a good thing to experience: a lot more drinking/partying goes on in 11th and 12th grades, and you'll miss out on getting used to that. Also, prom?</p>
<p>Anyway, if that means nothing to you...go to senior year and then take a gap year doing something amazing. Mini, I'm SO jealous. That all sounds SO AWESOME.</p>
<p>"A lot more drinking/partying goes on in 11th and 12th grades, and you'll miss out on getting used to that. Also, prom?"</p>
<p>Put me on the record as saying all this stuff is SO not worth it. If you aren't into that scene, it won't be an issue in high school. I don't drink, don't really party, and, well, Junior prom was so lame that I skipped prom senior year- if the acclimation was really neccessary, then I guess I'm in for a real shock next year in college. Personally, I think the age difference is relevant and I think you would be best off starting college at the same age as everyone else (although I know people who have started early and it was by no means impossible). I don't think you should stay somewhere you are unhappy. I really like the idea of a gap year, and may have taken one myself if it weren't for the fact that I plan on at least 8 more years of school and would like to have an actual job by the time I am 30... Anyway, I think you have the perfect opportunity to get out of an environment you don't like and have an awesome experience that will probably prepare you better for college than anything else.</p>