<p>I understand that I am asking a lot of questions---But hopefully that's understandable for an anxious student. I don't want to sound like I am bargaining, but after the whole college APP mess, I will write a 5000 word feedback on the entire process from my experience. No guarantee if will be good, but hopefully it will help.</p>
<p>Anyways, I was a freshman last year. This year I am a junior because I am skipping a grade. So my simple question is, is skipping a grade better or worse? The reason for my skipping is because that I would complete the AP course offering by my original junior year. So if I stay for my senior year I would be taking Discrete math and Journalism after I had already completed AP Calc BC and AP Eng Lit. </p>
<p>If I stay for another year, it would mean better credentials, with more APs and more awards and more ECs and higher and maybe perfect SATs.</p>
<p>Do colleges take consideration in the fact that I would be a year short to complete my credentials?</p>
<p>umm.
I'm sure they would understand.
And why would you care if you finished all the AP courses by your senior year? Colleges will understand that no other ones were offered and it wouldn't be penalized and you'll have an easy senior year. Not to mention the "normal" high school experience with all the friends in your year.</p>
<p>wangtian- you are really going to drive yourself crazy if you don't chill a little about this process. I am generally not a big fan of skipping grades and starting college young. There are exceptions, of course, but generally not in the case of males. Maturity is important, and that takes time to develop. You would be better off staying in high school and taking some advanced courses- maybe even at a local college.<br>
I can tell from your posts that you need this extra year.</p>
<p>When I was offered the chance to skip a grade, my parents forced me to turn it down. I'm already pretty young for my grade, so I would have been almost 1.5 years younger than most of my classmates if I had skipped a grade.</p>
<p>Instead, I just started taking classes at a higher level. Instead of taking the advanced Sophomore curriculm, I'm taking the advanced Junior curriculm. In essence, I'm getting the education of an advanced Junior but am still technically considered a Sophomore. (although I'm usually refered to as a Junmore.)</p>
<p>Even though I didn't technically skip a grade, I might as well have. Almost all my friends are Juniors and I take only 1 class that has mostly Sophomores in it. Personally, I find my arrangement silly. Very silly.</p>
<p>Then again, when my Senior year roles around, I'm going to have an entire year to devote to my personal intrests without the major burden of AP classes. (I'll have finished the entire curriculm in every academic subject of my school.)</p>
<p>In the end, I guess it all came down to a choice my parents made back when I was in 7th grade. Because they wouldn't let me skip a grade, I've become the girl without a class. Not exactly my idea of perfection.</p>
<p>In the long run though, it doesn't matter. Most people consider me to be a Junior. Only the school sees me as a Sophomore.</p>
<p>wangtian, I skipped 10th grade, just like how you are considering. It was when I transferred school from Norway to Korea, and all I can tell you as a school-graduate at 16, that it was not really beneficial for US college apps. When I applied last year, I had 2 years of studies behind me, and then midyear reports to make it 2.5 years of grades, which is quite insufficient from my experience. I would suggest you graduate at the right time, with several APs, more and longer-pursued ECs, more awards, and generally a better school experience. One year in life doesnt make a difference, but one year in high school really does.</p>
<p>As for me, I am now taking a gap year, attempting to reverse the clock and make up for lost time - taking online AP courses and doing research and work. I would have any day completed HS fully and if I then felt the need, taken a gap year.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Do colleges take consideration in the fact that I would be a year short to complete my credentials?
[/quote]
No, they don't. They will hold you to the same standards as everyone else. In case you haven't noticed, the top colleges are flooded with great applicants. They can pick and choose who they want, and they don't need to cut kids any slack because the kid chose to shorten his time in HS. Graduating early isn't going to wow anyone or get you brownie points.</p>
<p>Also I agree 100% with what MomofWildChild wrote. I don't think you're ready to start college after 1 more year.</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon does accomodate for this - in fact they even sent me a application at the end of my junior year complete with a fee waiver for "Early Admission" meaning I would skip senior year...just make a list of schools you might want to go to and contact them. You obviously have plenty of time. I think if you make a case that you have exhausted all of your schools resources (and if your counselor verifies this which he/she obviously probably will that will be best) you will be a competitive applicant. If you complete Calc BC in good standing I think that point will be put across quite well :). Do what you think is the best course of action - because at the end of the day just because it might not fit some kids maturity levels on a general level does not mean it might not fit yours. I personally would have killed to be able to do that. You don't necessilary have to feel like you are rushing through these years of your life either - you could always go to graduate school in whatever you study if you don't feel like you are ready for the real world.</p>
<p>Most schools will expect you to have qualifications as good as someone who did not skip that grade. They may also take a closer look at your maturity, as shown through your contact with the school and teacher recs. Schools will not be sympathetic. Think about whether you would be able to take distance courses or classes at a local community college during your senior year. You could also pursue serious and extensive research or independent study, culminating in a large project and/or thesis work. (This would, of course, need to be overlooked by an academic advisor.) I think that colleges would appreciate this much more than a younger applicant. </p>
<p>The consensus on other CC threads is that the adcoms will just compare everyone without special consideration for people who skipped a grade. The age thing isn't really considered since some people may have skipped second grade. There is a pretty wide range of ages for high school seniors. However, somebody skipping 12th grade is expected to have the same SAT scores and EC's as somebody who didn't skip 12th grade.</p>
<p>Transgrader---read closely...
Thanks everyone for your genuine opinions. I have read somewhere about maturity as a criterion. I thought that was a bit far-stretched, but now it makes much sense. I think the reason I sound immature here is because I want to be humble so people will take pity in me and reply---OK that's not the reason.
Personally, I don't think my credentials trumpet immaturity blatantly. I mean, I am not in things like Video game club or Science fiction, but rather in much more serious organizations. Evidently I'll have to scrutinize over my essays, then.
I have already "transgraded". I have been a quasi but offical junior for half a year now. I actually find my junior and senior friends to be much more enjoyable. Right now going back is pretty much out of question due to various reasons, including my international status (I'm here on a visa).
Hopefully more people could take the time to give me advices. How do I mature? Lol I meant, how do I appear maturer in the eyes of adcom?
Thanks.</p>
<p>You might want to consider staying with the path you're on now, but taking the year you would have used as your senior year to take community college courses or do independent studies with your teachers. Actually I think it would be really cool to take some independent study courses that interest you a lot, asking your favorite teachers to mentor you. I feel like there are so many ways to work out an interesting study program on your own, even getting involved with a nearby university or something. Think outside the box. Also, you might take the time to try something fun like an art or music course. Also, you could take a gap year. </p>
<p>Ask your guidance counselor what your options are, suggesting independent studies and the other things people have suggested on this thread. Also, find out if there's a way that your school might pay for some things like community college courses...</p>
<p>Thanks seole for your encouragements. Here are some more of my immature logic:</p>
<p>Yes, in the grand scheme of things, the one additional year of HS really isn't a lot. Also, during the year one could mature, relax, and enjoy life. But wouldn't you mature faster with a group of mature people? If you were put a year ahead of your age with older kids, wouldn't you assimilate faster?</p>
<p>Another reason is that one year less of HS means one year more of employment. So what's that, potentially $40,000?</p>
<p>If you want to take AP classes and independent studies during your senior year, why don't you just go to college, and take college courses? Isn't AP trying to simulate a college environment? So why not the real thing?</p>
<p>Only two kids in my senior class are 16. The rest of us are 15. (given, there are only 6 of us) It never really seemed to matter, I mean, just write good essays, get good grades, get a good score on your ACT/SAT, get good reccomendation letters, you'll be fine. People from my school get into good colleges. Before this thread, it never seemed like a big deal to me... </p>
<p>Admissions counselors aren't gonna look at your application and be like "OMG THIS KID IS A YEAR YOUNGER THAN EVERYONE ELSE!!! REJECT!!! REJECT!! AHHH BURN THE APPLICATION!!!!" </p>
<p>Haha Sydney, I didn't really expect you to put it that way. I was expecting a "OMG THIS KID IS A YEAR YOUNGER THAN EVERYONE ELSE!!! ACCEPT!!! ACCEPT!! AHHH NOTIFY HIM VIA NATIONAL TV!!!!"
---That's how immature I was before reading the replies to this thread.</p>
<p>Believe it or not, many kids have a tough time adjusting to college. It isn't just about academics- it is about having freedom and about fitting in socially. Admissions people are trying to build a class, and they DO look at things like maturity and readiness to handle independence.<br>
In my son's senior class (prep boarding school) many kids are 18 and 19.</p>
<p>I would love to say that I am not among the "many kids". But I can't. I am not certain of my ability to adjust. But still, a tough time means forced maturation, wouldn't you say?
I think only adversity can shape character. If I choose to take it easy and complete the entire 4 years of HS, I don't know if I would actually mature.</p>