Should I go to college early??

Question

I am 15 years old and I am homeschooled, I'm trying to graduate early, and I think I know what I what to do with the rest of my life, but there always seems to be the lingering question mark!!

Answer 1

I graduated early, not quite as early as you, I was 17. I wanted to go away to college but my parents said was not mature enough. I went to junior college for 3 years. I felt like a mouse on a wheel...like I wasn't going anywhere. I took several years off, got married, had kids. I went back to school 2 years ago and will graduate next year with my bachelors. I've gotten so much more out of my college experience now than I did when I started originally. I would say sure start college, but stay home if you can. Make some goals for yourself. Say maybe where you want to be 1yr, 2yrs, 3yrs from now. Then start taking classes in your area of interest. Also take other classes in things that you might not have thought about. You might be surprised at what you find out about yourself. Who knows you might have completely undiscovered interests! You have plenty of time to get your prereq classes in. My main point is just don't rush yourself too much. You've still got some growing up to do. Don't rob yourself of that experience!

Answer 2

Don't worry about the rest of your life. No one knows the future. You will change, in unpredictable ways. So you have no way of knowing what you will "need" for your entire life. Concentrate on the near term.

I think the advice for Comm College is good. It can save you money while picking up your gen ed requirements. You can also begin to learn about subjects and fields you never even knew existed. (Don't take this as an insult, it's what happens to most everybody in college). At that point you can target a university that has breadth in the field you choose.

Personal experience- be cautious of smaller 4 year schools. I had a very bad experience at a well known Christian college. The "advantages" of being at a small school don't really pan out. I'm not fond of huge universities (I went to grad school at one) but a college/university of 10-18K undergrads is a nice size.

But caveat emptor. Each person is different.

Answer 3

I was homeschooled and graduated at 15 (turned 16 a month later). My parents forbid me to go to any school other than the religious school they chose unless I waited. So I went to the local community college for a year, got my EMT certificate, and that looked REALLY good on collage applications. I ended up going to a highly ranked New England school, was 17 my entire freshman year, and had no problems. In fact I was a lot more prepared than many students. So, it really depends on how you feel. I do recommend that you look into overnight visits to colleges to get the feel of the campus and students. Most schools have students that will host applicants, and its a really good experience for all.

Answer 4

Take your time. I was homeschooled, graduated at 16 years old, spent a year at home accumulating credits through online college classes and getting my EMT license at the local vo-tech. I started my "freshman" year at 17 y/o with 60 college credits under my belt and still pretty hesitant but I soon realized where I was in relation to everyone else and got comfortable quickly. I thought I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life too but things changed, I moved schools and changed my major... still finished my bachelors degree by 20 and am working in a career I love but I'm glad I took things slow and enjoyed college.

Answer 5

I would suggest the local community college for a year or two, taking your basics - the stuff like English, history, math and foreign language - that will be required wherever you end up.

You could also take a year off and do some type of volunteer/intern work in the field you are thinking of pursuing. This will give you an intro to the field without the commitment of a four-year degree.

Answer 6

Home schooling has so many advantages over public schooling. The one-on-one attention has helped you develop self-confidence, a trait that will serve you well in college and the business world. You now possess valuable learning skills, awareness and the ability to think for yourself.

The only advantage public school has over home schooling is interaction with people of differing ages and cultures. This reciprocal learning can influence your outlook on the world.

You can hone those particular skills by spending time in a volunteer position for six months. You have many choices; for example, volunteers are always in short supply at your local veterans hospital, children's hospital or nursing home.

You could spend six months with an environmental group, like your local Stream Team. These groups monitor water quality in both urban and rural waterways; they also stage regular trash cleanups (like old tires and trashed appliances) much to the relief of local flora and fauna.

If you like to be outdoors, you could volunteer for the Conservation Corp; or, if you are concerned about young people, volunteer for a Big Sister program, your local police department's ride-along program or teach reading to disadvantaged kids.

Any of these options will give you increased confidence and social skills, raise your level of maturity and enhance your awareness of the world you are poised to inherit. You can make a difference in the environment, or the life of a child; you can remind a veteran that their service is appreciated or help a lonely senior citizen realize they are not forgotten.

Your possibilities are endless. You will undoubtedly make a difference in the world; just how you do so is entirely up to you.

Answer 7

This is really a decision you have to make. I was in the EXACT situation after what would have been my tenth grade year [if I had gone to 'real' school] and it took me a long time to decide.

I really can't give you much advice because, like I said, its so up to you. I was VERY close to going to college two years early - I had the college chosen, had gotten in, and everything, but decided - at almost the last minute - that I would rather stay at home, attend a community college, and study further in high school courses that interested me.

Good luck, whatever your decision.

Answer 8

Go for it! I have friends who got out early. Most of them got jobs at small stores, restaurants and the like and goofed off for a while before starting college. Ok, some of them just saved up, but I would graduate early if I could.

Answer 9

Take classes at the junior college level first, build up your pre-requisites and get a little older before you go to a university. University life can be a horrible experience for entering freshmen if they are not ready and can leave them scarred. If however, you have prepped yourself at a junior college, it is harder for University life to take the wind out of your sails.

Answer 10

wait to go, unless you want drunken 20 year old guys trying to get into your pants, I think 15 is far too young to be going to college, you'll have the brains for it maybe but I don't think you'll emotionally be ready, its also a time where you would want to have fun but due to your age you won't be able to partake in a lot of the activities that makes college what it is (the best time of a persons single/adult non married life)