Advice on Early High School Graduation, Midterm of Senior Year, what should I do?

Question

I am currently a junior in high school, i will have 41 of a required 47 credits for an Academic Honors Diploma at the end of this year. Leaving me with 14 credit opportunities as a Senior. I have decided to graduate at midterm and move on from there. Completing my high school ed. in 7 semesters. I have a 3.75 GPA and have taken a strong schedule of classes to this point. I plan on going to the University of Indianapolis and studying Sports Management.

What i really need to know is what to do after graduating. Quick College Admission in January? Start with summer classes in May? Get a job and wait?

I believe I can do any of those. I just need some other views on it. I want to do something different than this same high school thing all the time. I just need to know if going from high school to college in a month(Dec-January), is something that is possible.

Thanks you for any help you give, its greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the advice below, i plan on talking to my counselor some more about it tomorrow or the beginning of next week. What i really would like to figure out is if it is possible to go from high school to college in a month(dec-jan) and start college at second semester.

I have a large amount of extra-curriculars and I plan on doing tennis this summer and fall. You know more than I do, I just need a little more clarification on the subject. Thanks.

Answer 1

Hey,


I am a high school junior right now too. I plan on graduating early next year. It's been really hard for me lately. I feel like I'm really leaning toward doing it, and plan to. But I'm on the swim team and have a chance at being captain next year. I also am in Future Business Leaders of America, and Art Club. I have a nice GPA like you're saying you have and right now w/block scheduling I have Gym/Lifeguarding (every-other-day), Calculus 1, Chemistry, and then German 4. I'm all over the place, lol. So, I have a very similiar situation to what you describe. I plan on studying International Business/Relations.

As to my advice to you, you have already looked at all of your options. Like me too. It's almost harder when there's so much to choose from. For me, my team is counting on me to be there next year and I feel a connection there. I'll be leaving them for the last month of the season, and be done high school. If I join the swim team next year before I graduate and they aren't as apprecitive of me being there, and together with the whole aspect of a "team" as they should be, you can understand my pain because I could have been out working all that time I know I'll invest into practice. My goal is to get a car, graduate early, work as much as possible, while starting at a local community college. If I do swimming, that will take away from work time. Make sense?

The reason why I have blabbed on about myself and my situation is to illustrate to you, that you have to make this decision for yourself. I have spoken to a counselor at the local community college in which I want to go to and this is what she said,

"Either way you go, we'll always be here for you."

I don't know from the description/it being midnight, I could have missed it; if you've talked to this college you want to go to. I don't know if they'll let you attend their college if you've graduated early. Some funky rules and stuff. First you should make sure that it as actually physically possible to attend this school when you want to in January if that's even possible! Do that by contacting the Office of Admissions and ask what you need to do. Even ask for an application, or how to apply online or something. Mail them a letter, and type it all professional and stuff so they know you mean business, you're just ignorant. Aren't we all?!!!


I would advise, if going there in January isn't an option, just work as much as possible, then go when everyone else goes. You probably need a break like that anyway, and work shows character building/experience exc. Try and get a job that involves Sports Management so you can use the job as a credible reference that you've had some sort of "experience."


I don't know how your financial situation, nor is that any of my business, but you should consider that as well. You should probably be working as much as possible, now and saving as much as you can. If you can afford summer classes, this coming up summer in May, I think that goes toward your high school credits/shows experience in college and gives these people ANOTHER reason to admit you; besides being a heck of a determined student. Do as much as you can physically possible. Go for the kill babe, you're worth it.


I think it's important to remember throughout the entire thing though, no matter what you decide to do, is one thing really big. Just the fact that you're physically able to graduate early from high school, shows that you're......(lack of better wording)---better than everyone else. I don't mean gifted mentally like einstein necessilary(sp). You are more mature than everyone else. I can't STAND it every DAY I go to my school. I'll sit in my German class, and if my teacher is unattentative to certain students, the ENTIRE class is a roper room. I can recall, on more than one occassion this school year, as a high school JUNIOR, sitting in a class, in my own seat, not saying a word, and complete CHAOS around me. Everyone acts like a complete coward and totally immature. It's almost pitiful that they would behave in such a manner at such an age. I feel that me just telling you this, is important for you to hear. Because, even if you don't feel the same superior emotions as I do, when you go to college, it's a totally different deal.

Most of the people in my life are telling me to stay the full year as a senior, that I need the people experience if I'll work in business one day blah blah blah; bottom line: I can't stand it. I have a lot more determination and drive than 200 kids in my school put together. I see graduating early as my way of getting my life in the place I want it to be. Me being mature, taking charge of my life, and declaring my own independence. I hope that makes some sense to you. Some people are telling me that, that is incredibally immature there, but who cares. Leaving high school will be good for me and hopefully you too! But if you get into the college early, you'll be dealing with a totally different ball park of people in completely different situaitons. I doubt you'll be finding many mamas-boys who still don't know how to put a dinner together for themselves and do their own laundry. You need to think carefully about the new situation you're entering. You don't want to start college unprepared and feeling like you have to educate yourself about how to get ahead in the college situation. Visit the school. Multiple times. Get an idea of how to prepare yourself. Start strong. You'll be fine, don't be intimidated, be open and pay attention. Let them know you mean business, and you want to do what you want to do and that you aren't there to mess around.


No matter what you choose to do, be passionate about it. No matter what job you decide to do, if it's making coffee, you make the best da#n coffee that town has ever seen. It's all about you and what you want to do. Where there's a will, there's a way, and if you want it bad enough, it will totally happen for you. You just have to educate yourself on HOW to do what you want to do. You'll be completely fine. You're as smart as a whip and sharp as a whistle; so go for it. Good luck, on your decision. Don't be too hard on yourself. You'll have the rest of your life to do that!


Good luck again,


Let me know what you think of all of my bickering, get at me sometime,

I'll get back to you when I can,

Best,


-The Beautiful Rose

Answer 2

I am an ex-high school counselor in Texas. I would advise you to stay in school through your graduation date if possible. It may sound fun to take off a semester before starting college, but college recruiters take note of that sort of thing, and will wonder what you did with that time. Unless you plan to travel to Africa with Brad and Angie, or open a school with Oprah, you should stay put. I say this because college recruiters want the best kids on their campus. They want kids who have done a little bit of everything. I see that you mentioned taking some advanced classes. Have you taken calculus? A lot of college majors will require this, and it may be a course you could squeeze in. How about accounting and buismess, (both A.P. cousrses) that would really benefit someone pursuing Sports Management. Are you volunteering? Are you involved in any extra-curricular activites? Again, colleges ask for these on their applications. Remember, unless you have already been accepted by Indianappolis, you may not get to go. You will be competing with kids from all over the world who may have the same grades as you plus those extras. You may even change your mind and go somewhere else. So much can change.

In addition, you may miss out on scholarship opportunities because you won't be involved with your school anymore. How about AP courses and test that are only offered in the spring semester? And of course, the prom! You may not want to go right now, but you may find that wonderful friend that would be perfect for a fun night. Or you may want to go with a large group of people.

Your senior year should be the last push towards the jump to college. It sounds like you've been doing a great job so far. I would hate to see you lose ground in the fight for a spot at a top college because you didn't make the most of your last year.

It is definitely possible to go from high school to college in less time, at least in the state of Texas. We have dual enrollment here where kids can go to college and earn credit for both college and high school. I don't know about this in your state. Check with your guidance counselor. They may know more than you think. The one thing I can tell you for sure is that you don't need to miss a semester of school just to go to work. That really won't help much towards college, unless of course, you need the money.

Bottom line: Find some way to stay in school and take courses to impress college recruiters. If you are no longer challenged by your high school classes, check into classes at a junior college. Those credits will transfer almost anywhere, and again, colleges will be impressed with your efforts.

Hope this helps. Best of luck to you!