Currently, I realized that I would be able to graduate with academic honors and AP courses at the end of my sophomore year. So, I asked the local guidance counselor about it, and he said he had never encountered anyone who wanted to graduate their sophomore year. That brings me to the question: Will colleges be more likely to accept me at the end of my sophomore or senior year?
"Will colleges be more likely to accept me at the end of my sophomore or senior year? "
senior year without a doubt.
Senior year. There are many students that are graduating with 5 and 6 years of classes in certain subject areas. Reason for this is many kids are taking a high number of classes, taking courses over the summer and could graduate early. They continue to find ways to challenge themselves in more advanced courses. That is what colleges will be looking for so if you’ve met all of the requirements to graduate from your high school, find courses that interest you and will challenge you and even consider finding an internship opportunity. Lots of possibilities.
You are more likely to be accepted at the end of your senior year for one main reason. Children who apply at the end of the senior year of high school will have had 2 more years to form a resume than a sophomore. They have way more time to get involved in clubs, do research, etc.
Are you going to run out of challenging classes to take at your high school? If so, you may want to head off to college a year or two early. Make sure your parents are in agreement that you are ready.
Many young students start close to home. If you live near a good college or university, you can take a campus tour and talk to admissions about how they feel about young applicants.
Actually, if the student is running out of classes to take at his/her high school, s/he should take advantage of dual enrollment agreements in order to take advanced classes for free at the local community college.
To answer your question: Senior year.
What classes are you currently taking?
Have you had:
- 4 units of English (Honors or AP or Dual Enrollment)
- Math through precalculus or calculus
- Foreign language through level 4 or AP
- 4 units of history&social science (Honors or AP or Dual Enrollment)
- bio, chem, physics at any level + one more science at the AP level
This would be the MINIMUM expected for you to be competitive.
Currently, in 7th grade, I am taking Band, Choir, English 8, Algebra 1 honors, Biology 1, Social Studies 7, and Wellness 7. By the time I graduate, I will have had 5 years of the more advanced English classes, 6 years of advanced math (through AP Calc.), Foreign language through level 5 on Rosetta Stone (3.5 school years), 3 years of advanced/normal history/social sciences, and 7 years of science (all the basic and two AP). Even though I am missing a year of history/social sciences, would I still be competent?
Oh gosh, you’re only in 7th grade?
I wouldn’t worry about college, it’s at least three years away (if everything goes to plan). You will change a lot by sophomore year; you may not even feel ready for college yet!
Thanks, but I go to a school( middle and high school) with a population of 300, so my peers are both my friends and my constant reminder as to why I want to go to college early. I know that sounds negative, but it’s junior high.
Being able to graduate HS and being attractive for college admission are not always the same thing.
Be sure to look at both course and GPA requirements from those colleges you’re currently thinking about targeting before making any decisions. Remember, things can change, even when they’re giong according to plan.
As someone who graduated HS at 16 and went directly to a 4-year college, I understand that sometimes a HS does not offer enough challenge. As others have mentioned above, can you do a dual or concurrent enrollment with a local college while still in HS? How about additional online classes?
Sixteen in college is not the same experience as an 18 year old. While many are very bright at sixteen there is alot more to college than just academics. Take more Ap’s in high school. After you have completed everything you can in high school dual enroll somewhere locally. In middle school you shouldn’t be focused on college. Enjoy life!
It’s so often a matter of the maturity that comes with time. Having older friends isn’t it.
And you’re now in a 7th grade curriculum. You have no idea how you’ll do with more advanced, AP, and more of them simultaneously. Chances are, with the load, you won’t have time to process and apply knowledge across disciplines, grow in your own thinking.
Plus the matter of time to develop and pursue interests and experiences in your possible college major field. All those other kids with years of math or sci activities or writing or interning. Your young age can’t impress over that.
In your context, you think this rush is special. You don’t see other ways to build your education. That may be a result of the sheltering in a small group. Meanwhile, lots of other kids, your admissions competition, have continued, found ways, stretched.
Better chance in senior year.
Most HS require a certain number of credits taken AT the HS (credits that are HS level taken in MS may count towards the “year” requirement but not to the “credit” one) to graduate in addition to XX years of a certain subject. I’d be a bit surprised to hear of a HS who had a credit requirement that actually allowed graduation at the end of Sophomore year. Is is possible? Likely, but in your best interest? Maybe not. Likely not. But I agree, you’ll know a lot more at the end of 9th grade than hypothesising now. Most likely you would be far better served to take DE classes your junior and senior year.
As you’re in 7th grade and high achieving, look into this scholarship. Deadline is in April and you need a certain standardized test threshold to be considered, both grade appropriate tests and either the ACT or SAT.
http://educationaladvancement.org/caroline-d-bradley-scholarship/
It’s very competitive but should you get it, you might be able to go to a challenging private high school that you would enjoy. Then there would be no perceived need to hurry to start college.
"Currently, in 7th grade, I am taking Band, Choir, English 8, Algebra 1 honors, Biology 1, Social Studies 7, and Wellness 7. By the time I graduate, I will have had 5 years of the more advanced English classes, 6 years of advanced math (through AP Calc.), Foreign language through level 5 on Rosetta Stone (3.5 school years), 3 years of advanced/normal history/social sciences, and 7 years of science (all the basic and two AP). Even though I am missing a year of history/social sciences, would I still be competent? "
Dear child,
please dont take this the wrong way, but 5 years from now you will look back at your original post and ask yourself-
"what WAS I thinking?’
there is NO rush to graduate early . And trying to do so will not benefit you.
A FEW colleges will accept a FEW Juniors who have shown that they are ready for college, but most college admissions officers know that going away to college is such a HUGE change that younger students are simply NOT ready for it . So they WONT consider early applications. Colleges dont want to accept students who are not ready to succeed. So applying early will be a waste of time.
Going to college is a means to an end- it is NOT the end itself!
Your time will come. In the meantime-
EVERY year you spend in school will make you MORE attractive to colleges.
So relax, learn lots, have fun during the next 5 years.
Check back in during your Jr year in HS.
XOXO
This isn’t the profile of a kid who graduates two years early. By comparison, the two boys my daughter met who are going to be skipping part of high school were taking AP Chemistry and calculus in 8th. And, even though their parents knew that the high schools couldn’t keep them challenged (or even necessarily the local community college), the moms were very concerned about whether the boys were emotionally mature enough to go off to a four-year school. The academic skill set and the “adulting” skill set don’t necessarily develop at the same time.
That being said, if you aren’t challenged in school, you do need to work with your parents to try to find the options you need to learn and grow.
This certainty OP will do just fine, just by adding advanced classes (and a ton of them) is a sign he needs to collect more info, process it cautiously. The thinking is incomplete.
He’s only experienced a 7th grade curriculum. No std tests, no stretchy programs, no awareness yet. No results. Maybe he’s not serious?
maybe this 12 year old has no idea what the college admissions process is like and what colleges look for and want to see on transcripts.
In other words, he does not know what he does not know!