Graduating Early...

Colleges & Universities University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
1

<p>So, I live in a very small town with a not-so-great education system. I live in North Carolina and I’m a sophomore. I’m in the process of applying to the North Carolina School of Science and Math. However, if I don’t get in my parents and I have discussed the option of graduation a year early. I want to go to college, actually, I want to go to Carolina! I wanted some outside opinions of how my chances would increase or decrease by applying as a junior. I have top notch grades, AP/Honors courses, extra curriculars, the whole nine yards. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Interesting. Have you considered boarding school? It’s fairly normal for kids to come in as repeat sophomores or new juniors to any of the top 20 or so schools. I think there are a few within driving distance of NC (although the one I’m thinking of happens to be a 5 hour drive). Many schools have excellent, excellent financial aid available to students. I go to boarding school on scholarship, and it’s definitely possible to do so. Plus, if you do go to a school farther north (CT, MA) you have the NC advantage when applying. It might be an excellent option for you to investigate. The academics are top-notch and you gain experience in living on your own, managing your own schedule, etc. etc.</p>

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<p>My parents and I have discussed some boarding schools…but would it be worth it to spend that money when I could go to public school for (sort of) free for the last year and still go to the college I want to go to?</p>

4

<p>I’d say go for NCSSM. It’s all about teacher recommendations with that school because so many kids have great grades.</p>

5

<p>I had a friend who had applied to Carolina and was graduating early. He was a very smart kid who made really good grades and was in-state. Carolina told him something along the lines of “graduating early would make you miss out on many opportunities in high school”. Pretty much they told him it decreased his chances highly. He ended up going to UNC-A. You’re situation may be different but this is just his experience.</p>

6

<p>(Feel free to PM me and I can give you specifics about different schools)</p>

<p>Well, in your case, I wouldn’t really consider it as a viable option unless NCSSM doesn’t work out. Also, don’t do it if it’s financially unreasonable for you and your family. If you can afford it (with the FA package), then I would do it. </p>

<p>Speaking from personal experience, I think it’s excellent for a variety of reasons.</p>

<p>1) Academics are top notch. My APUSH teacher got his PHD from Yale and got his doctoral thesis published… I picked up a copy at Borders in the American History section. The topic specifically related to our local state history, so it was cool to be taught be an expert in the area. Our labs are state-of-the art (if you’re into that sort of thing). </p>

<p>2) You live in a dorm. Living with a roommate, in a dorm, etc. really does help with the “practical” aspect of the college education. Being independent, on your own, and free from parental supervision takes some adjustment, and if you get through boarding school, it gives you a jump start.</p>

<p>3) You learn more about yourself. You have to figure out organizational skills, how to manage your time well, etc. etc. etc. </p>

<p>4) Social skills. I’ll leave it at that. </p>

<p>Also, depending on the school you choose, you’re walking into an academic pressure cooker that intensifies everything. Depending on your friends/peer group, it can be pretty a daunting, but ultimately rewarding experience. </p>

<p>Lastly… here’s the best thing I took away from my experience (borrowing from Fight Club):</p>

<p>I am not a beautiful or unique little snowflake. I am not naturally brilliant. I am not the best thing since sliced bread.</p>

<p>One of the best things about my school is the fact that we are all wonderful, smart, and amazingly talented individuals. We all came from our respective schools as 4.0 students who were lauded as snowflakes. When we came here, we got Bs, Cs, and learned to appreciate a 3.0. We worked hard, got through it, and ultimately became even better at our respective fields. Boarding school puts everyone’s egos in check, but you need that reality check to get better and work harder.</p>

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<p>Oh, and make sure you find a school with the right “fit” for you. There are tons of schools and tons of different campus cultures. Don’t just go for the most prestigious school you can get into… especially with the “high school factor,” you should really focus on going to a school that feels right.</p>

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<p>I’m not really sure how I would feel about a boarding school. Especially being 5+ hours away from home…I like the fact that both NCSSM and Carolina are about 30 minutes away from my home. I have my heart set on Carolina and if graduating early would decrease my chances THAT much, I would much rather just suffer in high school for another year. (no, i promise I am NOT exaggeratting when I say ‘suffer’…I hate my school) I’m really counting on NCSSM right now though. I’ll be pretty confused if I don’t get in…</p>

9

<p>I’m actually graduating early this May, and I got accepted as an out-of-state member of Carolina’s class of 2014 :)</p>

<p>I have a total of 4 AP classes, but I do a lot of dual-enrollment…so I’m getting my AA degree in May also…so that may have helped me get in. My ACT was a 33…everything else in my application wasn’t that great.</p>

<p>But my point is you can get in. I don’t know if they considered me differently though…because I actually got changed to a senior at my school…so I basically left anything that mentioned 11th grade blank and filled in just 9th, 10th, and 12th.</p>