<p>I'm not sure where to post this, but since it ties directly to college admissions, I chose here. </p>
<p>Anyways, through an odd series of events, I'm will have maxed out, literally, all of my high school's offerings after my Junior year (this year). My high school is not amazing, but it is certainly better than many, and it is not due to the lack of course offerings that I must seek classes elsewhere.</p>
<p>Essentially, I'm already worried about my Senior year. I, literally, have no idea what I am going to do with myself. I've gotten many suggestions to take classes at the local college (part of the University of Wisconsin system), but I dislike this idea because of logistic issues (I don't have, or plan to get a car). To be quite honest, I am also sick of awkward schedules which never quite work out correctly. (I've been at this since 7th grade).</p>
<p>So, I have essentially my entire Senior year to explore...anything. I've considered an exchange program, and while I do want to gain Spanish fluency, my true intrests lie elsewhere.</p>
<p>I'm sure I'm not the only person in this type of situation. What have others done to fill a year where they are still "technically" in highschool?</p>
<p>I was in an identical situation to yours... I basically finished my high school's curriculum (less one english class) in three years. My parents were worried i'd spend a year being tremendously bored and getting into trouble. I'm the sort of person who couldn't stand being bored.</p>
<p>I ended up getting a job, which ended up being - and this is no exaggeration - the best choice I have ever made in my entire life. It grew me tremendously as a person, taught me tons of professional skills that served me well throughout college and in my job hunt, and I ended up putting enough cash away that I could pay for anything I wanted while in college - which included three semesters' worth of tuition my parents were unable to cover.</p>
<p>My HS principal was happy to arrange an "independent study" covering all 28 credits of high school, so that I technically earned my graduation requirements even while i was working. I was around the high school one or two mornings a week - maybe a gym class here or a lunch hour with friends there.</p>
<p>I was lucky to find the job I did. It was a full-time professional position at the age of 17, and I only got that because it was the booming late-90s tech sector in Boston, and they would've hired my dog if she knew how to use a computer. I had no programming skills, just smarts and confidence that I could learn anything they needed me to.</p>
<p>If you'd like more details on how I got the job, how the details worked out, why I chose that as opposed to other options, what my incentives were, and why it helped me get into a top college, feel free to send a PM. But my point is, you have some unique opportunities, and your options aren't limited to sitting around a library studying something.</p>
<p>Hope that helps,
Steve</p>
<p>You also could consider volunteer work. If there's a cause that you care about, you could really dive into it.</p>
<p>Your idea of doing an exchange one also is a good one. You also might consider doing a language immersion program abroad.</p>
<p>what are your true interests? Doing research, an internship, work, overseas programs or travel, online classes [if commuting is not feasable [you may want to check out Stanford's new online HS?]] and/ or spending time increasing your expertise in areas of intense interest or passion will not hurt your college acceptance chances if you have indeed taken all the most challenging classes your HS offers.</p>
<p>I have no desire to do research (math and science are not my cup of tea), and I just worry about what benefits an online program could really offer me. If I desired to study a subject, I would prefer to do it on my own, but then again, there is something to be said about human interaction and such.</p>
<p>Any other ideas?</p>
<p>I believe you are my twin ;) </p>
<p>I will have maxed out the math and science classes at my high school and community colleges by the end of this quarter. I'm thinking of taking upper level classes in chemistry and physics down at the university, but really there's so many logistical issues; my parents aren't very thrilled about it. </p>
<p>I looked into study abroad, but I couldn't really find a program that I really wanted to do. Where There Be Dragons looked like a cool program if you're into learning about different cultures. I also looked into a program called Dynamy where you spend a semester in a couple different internships. Also, if you're into traveling, you may look into being a "gap tutor" at a boarding school abroad. I hope these random suggestions help a little, maybe ;) The gap year websites are pretty helpful for ideas too.</p>
<p>"my true intrests lie elsewhere." And they are?
Can't really help too much with other ideas if you don't want to reveal where your true interest lie.</p>
<p>The problem is, I honestly like knowledge just for the sake of knowledge. I love to discuss and debate just because, and I don't know where I am going to be able to find that outside of the classroom. That is why I am loathe to do a ton of self study--- interaction is vital for me. </p>
<p>I also greatly enjoy art and theater...especially theater. I mean, I suppose I could get involved with the community theater here, but that doesn't solve my problem during the day. </p>
<p>Maybe the problem is that I like to have something concrete I am working towards, be it a good grade, completion of a tough project, or even just knowledge.</p>
<p>You could talk to your principal/GC and see if there's anyway that you can take senior year english this year (and graduate early). There has to have been someone in your position before - see if they have any suggestions? If graduating early is not a possibility, you could try finding some year-long service opportunity (e.g. <a href="http://www.missionyear.org%5B/url%5D">www.missionyear.org</a>) if you fit the requirements. What are your college plans? Contact whrere you are interested and see if they have any suggestions. Some even have programs where you can attend early and get your HS degree while starting on your freshman year. Just make sure you act early. Options may or may not work out, so be sure to look into multiple routes.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>