Im a New York resident, a freshman going into my sophomore year and i attend a small private islamic school (there are rarely any students who have attended the Ivies who have graduated from this school). I intend on graduating junior year if god wills if I pass all my classes (its sort of the system here: if you take highscool algebra and science in the 8th grade and pass the regents you graduate junior year). Although that is such a great opportunity, I’m concerned that elite colleges such as harvard, yale, columbia, princeton… will not accept me because i would be graduating very early. I took highscool algebra and biology, passed the regents and gained 4 credits before entering highscool, and i would only be getting 3 years of english and history. So do you think college will still accept someone who only has 3 years of highschool.
Also this school has rarely any AP classes or extracurriculars:( how can i prove to colleges that I am Capable of having a social life and still manage to get good grades?
On a related note my gpa is a 3.8 for my freshman year. hope this is not too confusing;)
From the Harvard Website:
There is no single academic path we expect all students to follow, but the strongest applicants take the most rigorous secondary school curricula available to them. An ideal four-year preparatory program includes four years of English, with extensive practice in writing; four years of math; four years of science: biology, chemistry, physics, and an advanced course in one of these subjects; three years of history, including American and European history; and four years of one foreign language.
Since most of the schools you have listed are considered lottery schools with extremely low admission rates, you want to be the strongest, most qualified applicant possible, so stay in HS for 4 years at take all the required classes.
I go to a similar school and am shooting for an Ivy League. If they don’t have AP classes, you should do dual enrollement to raise your GPA. Additionally, be an active member within your school and community. Study a lot for your SAT/ACT, because this will be your ticket into being considered. They do holistic admissions, by the way. I would definitely do all four years.
This is an often asked question. Do a search on “early graduation” or similar titles. If you’re truly aiming for the very top, then I agree w/others – bloom where you’re planted. Many high achieving students fulfill their min requirements for grad very early. To be attractive to the top schools and graduate early, you need to be EXTREMELY special.