<p>My son, an 11th grader, has completed all coursework necessary for graduation from his HS. He is motivated, 8 AP courses, high SATs. Passionate about math and comp science. </p>
<p>Not ready to send him to college next year mainly because hadn't really considered it an option and don't want to rush. </p>
<p>HS is small, catholic without a lot of resources or diversified coursework. Tuition about 10000 per year. Hate to spend on another year for him with no challenges. </p>
<p>Looking for suggestions or similar situations.</p>
<p>Agree that a year without challenge is a poor choice. In particular, MIT and similar schools would not look well on it. Here are some options (several are listed on the MIT admissions web page under “enrichment options”):</p>
<p>1) Ask your HS if they would allow him to remain a HS student but take some courses at the local community college or university. Remaining enrolled in “high school” is important in order to apply as a freshman next year to selective colleges, but usually kids can take several courses at nearby Unis as a high school student. </p>
<p>2) If that option does not work, remain a high school student, and take on-line math thru MIT OCW or Khan, EPGY, AoPS etc. </p>
<p>3) Self-study more AP classes. </p>
<p>4) find a professor at a nearby university to mentor your son in some research, write it up and submit to Intel, Siemen’s and Davidson. Have him make a cv and e-mail it around asking if any academics would allow him to work in their lab.</p>
<p>5) Do a term abroad.</p>
<p>6) Get a job.</p>
<p>7) Plan a challenging summer program after 11th grade (maybe RSI), then be busy senior year writing it up and competing in national science fairs.</p>
<p>8) compete in national chem, bio, informatics and math competitions. </p>
<p>Check out the book “What High Schools don’t tell you” for more math and science enrichment ideas.</p>
<p>Consider applying to an early enrollment program at a local university. He will effectively be a full-time college freshman in that school, but will be able to apply as a freshman to most places (not Princeton, but MIT and Caltech both allow it) and start over with transfer credits at MIT or wherever he winds up. He’ll get a head-start on and a preview of the college experience, it will be nice to already be accepted to a back-up school, and he will have the opportunity to do research as though he were an undergrad (many professors will not take in high school students, but would gladly take in undergrads). Also, schools that offer early enrollment programs also often offer generous merit aid, so he might be able to get a free ride.</p>
<p>I think your son would really standout if he did an independent coding project. He could write his own mobile phone app or join an open source software project. I don’t know where you live, but I would search on ■■■■■■■■■■ for coding groups and they could help your son get started.</p>