Will this plan work?

Question

I am currently 15 (16 in a couple months). My plan is to quit HS, get a GED at 16. Then I would attend a 2 year community college, and try my best to do well and then transfer over to USC or UCLA at age 18. I would be going at the same pace as a normal high school student, entering college at 18. So what do you think of my plan? Will this work out? I am sick of High school courses and I work better independently.

Answer 1

I don't think you should quit high school. If you are really sick of your high school courses and want something more challenging, and want to work independently, I would suggest doing homeschooling and taking online courses from a school like Keystone High School. (www.keystonehighschool.com).

Once you're homeschooled you can take all your classes at college level (AP classes) and work independently. There is a wide variety to choose from, anywhere from european history to biology or chemistry to foreign languages to art and music. You take an AP test in May at the end of the year in each subject and if you get a passing score you can get college credit.

Either way, I still wouldn't recommend quitting high school at 16 and going straight to college unless you're completely ready to be in college and it's your only option. You'll find college classes to be a lot like high school classes.

Also, UCLA is pretty selective and you have to have a pretty good academic record to get in. Taking as many challenging courses as you can during high school (like APs) will greatly increase your chances. I'm not really sure how many people they accept from community colleges.

Anyways, good luck!

Answer 2

That's just as much work as just staying in high school.
You'd have to find out what's on your GED, because those standards change every year. Even if you do prepare for it, what happens if you fail the GED? Have you researched the locations of what schools offer a GED? What will you do if you can't get information on what's covered in the GED?

I wouldn't risk it. You can take AP courses while in high school that transfer to colleges and shave a year off of college that way.

If you "work better independently," use that to your advantage in your high school courses. See if your HS offers the "leave early" program (I don't remember the term for it) that allows you to just stick with core subjects and then go to work afterwards if you want or need it. That program may be needs-based only, so do some research.
Some towns also offer alternative schools as well--that school is directed for those who are at-risk, but you could enroll as well.

Don't be in such a rush to get out of high school. It will be too much of a culture shock for you when you get to college--you can't take the easy way out if you don't like something.

Answer 3

As much as high school sucks I would say stick with it. You would be surprised how many college courses, especially in community colleges, are just like high school classes (unless your school is radically different or something). If you can't do high school, you will have a really hard time with college.

Plus, with high school you get more opportunity of doing extra curricular activities no? You will need a lot of them, because it looks better to graduate from a high school than to get a GED. Also, if you are in high school you could take AP classes that will help you in college.

But if you are so against going to high school would it be possible to be home schooled?

The plan could technically work, but I (personally) would not do it. Good luck with whatever you do.

Answer 4

I think you shouldn't be in such a hurry. I know you're anxious to get on with your life, and that school is boring, but if you drop out now you'll miss out on so much of your young adulthood. A lot of community colleges offer classes you can take now, so you can take those at the same time you're finishing high school. Also, some of those may count toward not only your high school degree but also toward your college, so you can finish HS early and already have a good start on your college. Good lucK!!

Answer 5

I know in some states you have to be 18 before taking the GED which would put a crimp in your plan. My advice would be to stick with HS there is alot more to learn in your last two years.

Answer 6

Rotsa ruck Rudy