<p>The University of Washington offers the UW Academy where, after sophomore year, you skip junior and senior year, going straight into UW as a freshman. I’m not a sophomore yet, but I was wondering if it was a good idea to apply to or not. (This is my first time posting; I don’t even know if this is the right section to ask in. Let me know if I should post to the college section instead.)</p>
<p>What would be the pros and cons of this? I feel as if I wouldn’t be prepared for the college life after sophomore year, and I honestly don’t like the fact I would miss out on my last half of high school. But I was wondering, would it be a good decision for further education and my future career? Because I really am not sure what I am going to study or be, so I don’t know if this UW Academy it will benefit me. I feel if for some reason I apply and happen to get accepted in the future, I will regret missing junior and senior years. I don’t even know if I’ll be ready to have such a sudden switch from high school sophomore to university life. And if I don’t apply, I feel like I’ll regret that as well.</p>
<p>“And if I don’t apply, I feel like I’ll regret that as well.”</p>
<p>Why? Beginning college two years early isn’t really going to help your future career in any significant way, especially if you don’t even know what that career will be. Stay in high school, and if you run out of classes to take, take dual-enrollment classes.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. I just felt that way because others I know have gotten an opportunity to do so, but they didn’t go early and regretted that decision. I don’t want to lose a chance of having an extra 2 year advantage, but I also understand the point you’re making and have realized that as well. Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>I had previously said I didn’t know what my career path was going to be. Although, if do figure out what I am interested in and know what to study, will it still be beneficial to be in the UW Academy? Or will it not matter either way?</p>
<p>I don’t know…I kind of disagree with the other posters. I say go for it. Unless you have aspirations beyond the University of Washington. High School really isn’t all that exciting…football games, homecoming, prom, it’s all sorta whatever to me personally. You have to decide for yourself if that’s important to you.</p>
<p>However, I will say that being 16 and a college freshman might not be the most fun thing in the world either. Will you be living on your own? How will your social life be if you’re so much younger than your peers? Will your high school AND your college experiences be “cut short?” I’m not sure what this program is like, but it’s something to take into consideration.</p>