<p>I’m currently a junior in high school and I’m thinking of graduating at the end of this year, and then attending CU Denver for a year. I recently moved to Colorado and I don’t really like my high school, so I figured I could get all my gen eds out of the way, and stay at home for a year (I live in south Denver, not to far from CU Denver). But since CU Denver doesn’t offer the degree I want I would have to transfer. My top 3 colleges are: University of Nebraska Lincoln, Colorado State University and Arizona State University.
So I am wondering if it would be worth it to graduate early, in terms of scholarships. Would I be viewed as a different transfer student since I graduated early? Do transfer students receive financial aid and scholarships? (I will be paying for my college) How do colleges view early graduates? Or would it be better to just hang on another year, which I really do not want to do. If it helps I have an unweighted 4.0 with 2 AP’s and 4 honors, I do have enough credits to graduate early, and I have yet to take the ACT or SAT. Thanks!</p>
<p>If you graduate early, attend CU Denver and then transfer - you will be considered just like any other transfer student. However, scholarships available for transfer students are typically smaller, and sometimes even non-existent at certain schools. </p>
<p>You would want to double check all of those schools’ scholarship section of their websites and compare the differences between scholarships offered to new freshman vs. transfers. </p>
<p>Your plan is risky unless your parents will pay all costs at those transfer schools. If you want/need aid or merit scholarships, then apply to the schools that you will stay at for all four years.</p>
<p>Incoming freshmen can get the biggest scholarships. Transfer students often get nothing or small amounts.</p>
<p>you have a lot of OOS publics on your list. They won’t give you need based aid, even if you’re an incoming frosh. but some give nice scholarships for high stats. </p>
<p>And if you don’t have high enough stats now, then don’t graduate yet… Work on your GPA and test scores…and then apply. </p>
<p>You should look into dual enrollment from Metro, CSU extension, or one of the community colleges. I don’t think UC-D has dual enrollment for high school but it may let you take classes. If you do dual enrollment, your high school district will pay for the courses. You may have to take a course or two at your high school to be eligible, but maybe not.</p>
<p>If you have good grades and test scores, and you really dislike your high school, consider graduating early and taking a Gap Year. That would preserve your freshman applicant status, and can give you a bit more time with your family before you take off for a place that offers the major you want.</p>