I moved to America when I was in the middle of my senior year in Korea. The schools here are telling me that I have to attend 11th grade this fall due to lack of credits for graduation (which will mean that I will graduate two years later than my friends, who have graduated this spring) or take the GED since I am 18. Should I go for a two-year-late high school diploma or take the GED to go to a community college and transfer in two years? And if I take the GED, can I apply to universities as an undergraduate this fall despite being enrolled in a community college?
basically yes to all of the above. But let’s look at it in detail
- high schools have different requirements for graduation. You should check with the high school you plan to enter to see what they require. You may be pleasantly surprised--or you may find that you still have many credits to earn a diploma
- If you decide instead to GED + community college, that's okay too. Many colleges -- some Ivies -- accept transfer from CCs.
- You may also want to consider going directly into what's called an "early college" Clarkson University has an early college program (http://www.clarkson.edu/admissions/early_college.html) and Bard Simon's Rock (https://simons-rock.edu/) is an early college. You do NOT need a GED or a HS diploma to enter. You may transfer out or get your BA from early college.
If you decide to go to regular CC, you may start applying for transfer to regular college as soon as your target college allows. Check the target college’s website for their preferred schedule. Before enrolling at any CC be sure to start building a conversation with the transfer expert at that CC. Best of luck.
Did you have your Korean transcripts formally evaluated by http://www.wes.org/ or a similar organization, or did your high school counselor do the evaluation?
What specific courses are you missing for high school graduation? Could you fit them into one year of school here, or one plus the summer? Ask them to show you exactly what you are missing, and what your options are for completing.
Have you checked with private schools as well as your public school district?
Does the state where you live offer the option of an “Adult High School Diploma”? Some states do. You would only need to take the specific classes that you are missing. For many students that is easier than the GED exam series.
Did you write this yourself? If so, your English looks to be quite good. Was your education in English or in Korean? If it was in Korean, what is your TOEFL score? If you did not write this yourself, how good is your English? You can study for up to two years for FREE if you are in high school, and you can get your English into good enough shape for college. That will give you a lot more options than if you do the GED.
You have just moved here. How is it that you have friends who have already graduated? Lots of students who move here from other countries finish high school late. In most public school districts, students in your situation can remain in high school until they graduate or until the end of the school year in which they turn 21. Chances are that you won’t be the only person in that situation if you decide to attend high school.
penguinlover20, I think I either misread both previous posts or they missed an option you might have- your local community college likely has a concurrent enrollment option. Stay in high school for however long they need you there, and do the concurrent enrollment at the same time. That way when you graduate with your HS diploma you also walk out with your associate degree, or fairly close to getting it. And it’s usually very inexpensive to do a concurrent enrollment.
In my opinion, a GED is do-able, but a bad idea. I did a GED because I had no option. But in reality it is not seen as a true equivalent to a HS diploma. It is equal in education and title only. Even employers look down on it. Especially when you have a chance to get your HS diploma.
Actually, I moved to the US when I was three and moved back to Korea around the age 15, so my elementary and middle school years were taught in English while my high school years were taught in Korean. Since Korean school years start in March and I came to Korea after finishing 8th grade, I started school again a semester later than my American friends. Therefore, they have already graduated. There is an Adult High School nearby, but do colleges count that diploma the same as a normal high school one? In my situation, could universities accept a GED?
Only way to find out if a uni will accept a GED is to ask them.
One thing I have seen about GED is that it’s seen by many as “an easy way out”. Stick it out with HS because that shows determination and endurance. It may not win you points on your application, but when they (schools and reputable employers) look at it they see that you did what it took. Officially it won’t matter much. Unofficially it gives you one step up.
Yes, a high school diploma earned in Adult High School is a real high school diploma, and should not be treated any differently than a diploma earned in a regular high school. However, there may be significant differences in the courses offered, as the Adult High School normally is focused on getting people through the normal HS program without any Honors or AP courses. Then again, that is likely to be what you will be offered at your regular HS because of your age and your need to graduate before aging out at 21. You may prefer to study with older students, and to have the flexibility to work part-time or to take your classes at nigh.
Almost every college and university in the US accepts the GED for admissions. Do not worry about that. The revised GED is reported to be extremely difficult for students who do not have English as their first language and who have not had a lot of education in the US. Pick up a practice version at the public library, and see what you think.
It might be worth the two years to become more familiar with the culture and academic culture. Maybe see if you can take some dual enrollment courses (High school cuorses you take at a local community college). That will help you graduate HS and get some college credits.
That’s a mistake. The TASC (formerly known as the GED) was created for servicemen returning from WWII. Many went overseas before completing high school and needed a way to show high school equivalency so they could attend college. The demand for college seats was so high, community college systems were expanded to handle it. The TASC still has uses, and not just for struggling students. In some states, like NY, the it’s routinely used to show high school equivalency for homeschooled students. Colleges consider the entire record; applying with a GED doesn’t seem to have hurt our local homeschoolers any.
@penguinlover20, Depending on your state, you may be able to enroll in your local high school and graduate there, not at an adult high school. In NYS, students can attend high school until they’re 21. The advantage of that is you have the guidance counselors and teachers to help you with your app.
Another option is to homeschool. Your state education site will list the requirements for graduation. Here in NY, students have to take a certain number of years of the core courses (Eng, math, science, history…) and a few electives. They also have to show proof of high school equivalency, but there are several ways to do that. Submitting homeschool paperwork to the high school while taking courses at a local college (kind of a dual enrollment program that we get to be full pay for) is one. Taking 5 particular state Regents exams is another. If you’re interested in homeschooling, let me know your state and I’ll find out what your options are.
“That’s a mistake. The GED/TASC was created for servicemen returning from WWII. Many went overseas before completing high school and needed a way to show high school equivalency so they could attend college. The demand for college seats was so high, community college systems were expanded to handle it. It still has uses, and not just for struggling students. In some states, like NY, the GED/TASC is routinely used to show high school equivalency for homeschooled students. Colleges consider the entire record. Applying with a GED doesn’t seem to have hurt our local homeschoolers any.”
Please don’t get me wrong. I only know what I have learned first hand as I have a GED. And that is exactly the problem I have faced- many people consider the GED to be inferior. I still, however, strongly feel that penguinlover would be better off getting his diploma. Again, from first hand experience.
Something we must realize is that times have changed, and so has society. Society simply does not have the standards it once did. Likewise, their expectations have changed as well.
I would take the 2 free years in high school, complete many AP classes (since you’ve probably covered some of he material in Korea already, it shouldn’t be too hard), take free Dual Enrollment classes at a local community college through your high school, get to know your guidance counselor, get to know teachers who’ll write recommendations, and build a killer record for your college application while preserving your freshman status (freshmen with high scores and good GPA’s have access to excellent scholarships for college. Transfers don’t.)
I know this is almost a year-old thread, but I need help figuring this out.
My son is currently studying for and registered to take the NY State TASC (GED- high School equivalency) next month.
He had already passed at least 5 NY State Regents exams by the end of Junior Year, but he failed the Alg 2/Trig one necessary for the Advanced Regents.
He is basically a “high school dropout” who had to homeschool his Senior Year unofficially because his official request/notification to homeschool Fall Senior Year was rejected due to his age when he requested to change his status in the system.
They said he had aged out of the system where they are only responsible for educating children ages 6 to 17. His paperwork (IHIP) for officially homeschooling was not even looked at. He didn’t want to transfer to another school which you can do until age 21, his only other option other than staying in his original school.
MY QUESTION IS :
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Does he even have to take the TASC (GED) if he has already passed 5 Regents exams to access NY STATE FINANCIAL AID and have a NY STATE REGENTS DIPLOMA? He is not in the system, so maybe it's too late to request the following:
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He passed more than the 5 minimum Regents exams required for a Regents Diploma by end of Junior Year.
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I am going to call the DOE this week, but it’s so confusing to know what to push for. I figured I would reach out here before I call, in case someone had any experience or knowledge of this type of situation.
The only reason he is taking the TASC is to obtain NY State Financial Aid if he goes to a college in NY State. He is currently taking a Gap Year and working and waiting to hear from Colleges. He could be studying and taking this exam series for nothing and I don’t even know it. He’s having to miss work ($$) to take the test and could be searching for additional scholarships instead of studying right now.
Thanks in advance for shedding light on any of this!
^ you should open your own thread with a clear title, you would get more responses.
@saany123 , moderators often close old threads, plus you are “high jacking” this thread. Start a new thread for better results.
Right! Thank you!