<p>I’m a junior at a charter high school (260 students). Because of its size, it doesn’t offer much in the way of electives, so most of us take community college classes beginning in our junior year. I wanted to study Russian so started at comm. college in my freshman year. I’ve now accumulated so many college units that I only need 3 more classes to have an AS degree in Math. </p>
<p>HMC doesn’t accept many transfer students at all, so I plan to apply as a freshman. However, I’m wondering if having as AS degree might hurt my chances. I think they’ll view my college classes as part of my high school transcript, but I’m not sure. I should probably send a note to HMC Admissions and just ask them, but I’m also a little concerned about drawing attention to myself. I mean, maybe they keep a list of kids to watch out for! ;-)</p>
<p>With all my college units, I have a 4.5 gpa at high school, and am ranked #1 in my class. My college gpa is 3.8 and I’m a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the community college honor society. I did get an 800 on the Math part of the SAT, 2150 overall, and will take the Math SAT II and Physics subject tests in May. I’ve got the community service hours, and got a Robotics club started at my school, and am very active in it. I think (hope) I’ve got as good a chance as most to get accepted, but wonder if any of you Mudders (or wannabes) have thoughts on how the AS might be viewed.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Eric, as a parent of a student who has applied to Mudd regular decision and is awaiting a response, I have to say I think your AS degree will not hurt you in the least! I’m sure it will be viewed positively. Mudd is all about finding the kids that “fit” and it sounds like you are well on your way. Good luck!</p>
<p>I know someone here who took a bunch of college courses in high school because her high school didn’t offer that many classes/the types of classes she wanted. I’m not sure if she ended up with a degree or not, but it seems like it’s sort of a similar situation, so I’m pretty sure you’ll be fine. It would probably be a good idea to write something about your academic history explaining everything. I want to say there’s a spot on Common App to explain things like that, but since it’s been a while since I filled out college apps (and I didn’t have anything unusual to explain), I can’t remember for sure. In any case, as long as you explain your transcripts, I think you’ll be fine, and it might be worth it to talk to the admissions office just to check.</p>
<p>As the parent of a Mudder-to-be (entering fall 2011), I think you’ll be fine. If at all possible, find a way to talk face-to-face to admissions folks , either by visiting campus or at a college fair or Claremont presentation. There are other kids at Mudd in similar situations - mine has a pile of college credits too, although his came via dual enrollment.
I would definitely say you should enroll as a freshman -1) enjoy your four full years and 2) it will be hard , even with college credits , to get the full core requirement and your major.
Don’t be shy! Tell them just why you took those college courses.</p>
<p>@ErikPTK, My son was accepted as a freshman last year with a history much like yours. His community college was dual-enrolled with homeschool, and he officially received his AS before high school graduation. That’s the main kicker with most of the top schools. If the classes are dual-enrolled and on the high school transcript and you haven’t yet graduated from high school, you apply as a freshman. Classes taken AFTER graduation make you a transfer student. (I don’t know how age plays into this, but you sound traditional-aged anyway so not a problem.) </p>
<p>Please make SURE the high school puts the CC classes on your transcript. </p>
<p>My son was accepted to several top schools. I put his CC classes on the homeschool transcript I made. He also sent in the official transcripts from the CC.</p>