<p>I talked to my S’s high school counselor about S possibly graduating early, this coming December rather than next May. He will have all of his requirements met at that point, and thought about taking classes at the local community college or working and saving money. The counselor said that they generally discourage kids from graduating early because colleges look down on these kids. It does not make sense to me why a prospective college would look down on a kid who graduates 5 months early. Any ideas why? Could it be the college would think the student is not dedicated to academics or extracurriculars? I wonder too if the school is discouraging students from early graduation since they might receive less funding the second half of the year.</p>
<p>S is likely going to a state school, nothing fancy, and may need to live at home for the first year unless he matures a lot in the next year or so.</p>
<p>My son chose to graduate his private boarding school in March, he was accepted to some great schools and not one questioned his decision. The key is to make sure you have a graduation date on his transcript and that the transcript has a final GPA.</p>
<p>At selective colleges, they are looking for kids to lead at their HS during senior year, take the hardest classes, bring achievement full circle. Graduating early can interfere with this. Also keep in mind that if applying for financial aid, much of what he earns will be considered money available to pay for college.</p>
<p>All top colleges want to see that you’re passionate about academics (after all, you’re going to be taking classes for your 4 years of college). Graduating halfway through the school year just because you can doesn’t exactly indicate this.</p>
<p>“S is likely going to a state school, nothing fancy…”</p>
<p>Amarkov, he’s not applying to “all top colleges.” Moreover, all top colleges are not looking for cookie-cutter demonstrations of academic commitment: Your grades and recommendations will tell them if you are academically a fit with their program. The more important question is what you plan to do with the remaining time. Earning money so you can afford to go to college shows commitment. Pursuing an academic or EC passion full-time likewise shows commitment. Sounds like Susanr64’s son isn’t wasting his time.</p>
<p>Like Susanr64, I’d want a much clearer explanation from the counselor as to why this would be a problem.</p>
<p>This is a kid who I anticipate will receive his BS degree from either Ohio State or another state school in Ohio, or Middle State Tennessee or University of Tennessee. This is not an Ivy League or any other prestigious school issue. I don’t understand why the college counselor would say that colleges frown upon this.</p>
<p>I graduated from HS a year earlier. I applyed to some good schools in my state and out of state. I was only rejected to a couple but not because of my HS record but my low SAT scores, else I definitely would have been accepted.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s a disadvantage because I honestly felt that HS didn’t prepare me for college but am in it. Trust me your S will do fine just as long as she stays focused and don’t let the freedom of college get to her.</p>