<p>At an MIT presentation a few years ago, one parent stood up and asked a question on this topic. “If my son graduates high school a year early, will that help his chances for admission at MIT?” I admit that I am not a perfect mindreader, and perhaps sometimes I am somewhat cynical, but it appeared to me that this father was trying to brag and/or to intimidate the other parents and students at the presentation. The answer from the MIT admissions officer was excellent. “As long as your son has exhausted the courses available to him at his high school by his junior year, then we will not hold it against him if he applies in his junior year” (These quotes are only paraphrases, because I do not remember the exact words). The father appeared to be very disappointed when he sat down, while the other parents/students seemed to all be relieved.</p>