<p>Hey, I'm currently a junior in high school, but I've been offered a spot in the Ohio State University Academy( link here: Academy</a>) for my senior year. Basically I can take a few freshman chemistry classes at OSU, gain some college credit, and research opportunities, etc all for free. I would be taking the OSU chemistry classes for the first 4 periods of the day and then go back to my high school and take 3 AP's for the other 3 periods, so that would be a pretty rigorous schedule... So my question though is would it be worth it to add this much extra stress to my senior year? Would this be a very valuable experience? Does it look good to colleges? If it helps, I plan on probably majoring in something science related in college, and while it's still really early in the college decisions process for me, OSU is probably my top choice as of now.</p>
<p>Also, sorry if this is the wrong section to post this, I'm not really sure what the best section for it would be.</p>
<p>That does seem pretty rigorous. If you don’t think that you’ll have the time to commit to the program, then I wouldn’t recommend it.</p>
<p>I do think I will have enough time, but I’m reluctant to give away my senior year completely to academics… I’m just wondering if this would be so super benificial that it would be worth it or not. Do colleges look at this as a big positive or is it really not that big of deal? I mean there are some obvious advantages, but also some obvious disadvantages. This is a lot harder of a decision then I originally thought.</p>
<p>Lots of kids take advantage of programs like this one all over the country. So, it is perfectly OK for you to decide that it is a good thing for you. Just be sure that you are doing it because you really want this particular experience. Don’t do it because you think it will “look better” on a college application.</p>
<p>Take a good look at all of your options for next year. Do you have a sport or a time-sucking EC like drama? Would you be able to participate at the level that you want if you are completing true college-level coursework? </p>
<p>How soon do you need to make a binding commitment to this program? If you decide that it is too much too soon, can you drop out in the first week or so and just take classes at your HS?</p>
<p>And, on the financial side, will these courses make a big difference in how quickly and inexpensively you can complete your college education? Has your family run any of the EFC calculators (the one at [College</a> Calculators - savings calculators - college costs, loans](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Calculate Your Cost – BigFuture | College Board) is good this year) so that they know how much they will be expected to pay for college each year? Would this program guarantee you admission to OSU?</p>
<p>You are correct that there are a lot of things to think about! Give yourself the time to do so, and you will feel confident about your decision when you do make it.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>
<p>First of all, thanks for the lengthy response happymomof1 :)</p>
<p>I do not have have a sport or time-sucking ec’s, so that helps make the decision a bit easier. I have to decide by Monday whether I want to do this or not, but I have no idea whther I could drop put if I did not like it. That would be a good question to ask the teacher who informed me of this opportunity probably. Participating in this would not guarantee me admission into OSU, but I assume it would help me out a bit pending on how well I do in the program. That’s not really a concern though because my stats are already good enough that I’m 99% sure I’d be accepted to OSU anyways.
Money is definitely a big factor in the decision because my family has some money, but not a lot. Plus I have a twin brother, so my parents are basically going to be paying double when we go to college. They say that it’s up to me, but I know they want me to do it.
I’m not sure yet, but I think I’m probably leaning towards doing it. While I’m not completely thrilled about the idea, I almost feel like the positives that come along with it are too much to pass up.</p>