<p>I’m going to be a sophomore and I’m thinking of applying to Bard College at Simon’s Rock this fall. My parents aren’t thrilled about the idea still and I need idea’s to convince them. This is why I went to the Parents Forum, lol. My dad would let me go, but he told me I have to get a full scholarship to go. They don’t even have full scholarships which include the 10k of room and board and two I doubt I would get a scholarship. He told me I could get some loans for the room and board, but I don’t know if it’s worth it. I know he can pay some of it, but who knows if he is willing to. I could basically go to UGA for free, but I wouldn’t want to do that. He just started his own business, so money is very tight right now. The time I would go to college (2012) he would be making a lot more money, since the company just barely started. We are middle class, so I know my family could pay some of the tuition but not any where close to 50k. My mom just doesn’t want me to leave period. She thinks 16 is too young and told me she wouldn’t want me to leave so early. My dad doesn’t understand why I want to go to college at 16. How can I convince them and would you let your kid(s) go to an early college at 16? I have a 3.1-3.2ish GPA, but I’m in all honors and one AP class this year and last year. I did not do great at math (72), but no one in my grade did. I usually am a straight A and B student. I hope to get my GPA higher before I apply. </p>
<p>I want to go because I would like a head start in life. I know this sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. My school work is not too easy for me at all, I think I am just sick of high school and just the immaturity of kids. I also do not want to go to a prep school, because I think my mom’s answer would still be the same and doesn’t sound great to me. My mom thinks that she is getting shortened two years. Also, I have an older brother who will be a junior and one who will be in 7th grade. He wants to go to Johnson and Wales for culinary. My mom is pregnant and is also suppose to have a 4th child in December, which is another reason my mom may want me to stay. I have done a lot of research on college and this seems like the best thing for me. I would like to be an film actor (been acting since 6), print journalist or do dramatic writing. The only things I do like about Simon’s Rock is that it’s in a rural area and that it may be too left for me. I am very liberal and a democrat, but I’m also Roman Catholic. I don’t know how I would fit in either, or if it will be like high school. I am planning on just applying and see what happens and how much fin. aid I get. I don’t care too much about missing prom or graduation, but not having a diploma worries me. Does anyone have any advice for me? I have done a lot of researching on schools since 8th grade and you could tell by how much posts I have. Thanks for all the feedback, I appreciate it!</p>
<p>I would encourage my child not to do this. Why rush things? Socially and emotionally, you’ll be a good 2 years (at least) behind every one else there. I think you’ll find it’ll be tough to fit in as a 16 year old.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input. But Bard College at Simon’s Rock is an early college made for those who are the age of 16/17. So, everyone will be about the same age there.</p>
<p>If the kids at the college are your age, then what makes you think they are going to be any more mature than the kids you are sick of right now?</p>
<p>I feel that they will feel the same way I do. You have to be mature to go off at college at 16 and admissions said they try and find those who are and those who aren’t ready for college.</p>
<p>I’m with the others on this. If going to college this young were meant to be, then you’d have the support of your parents. If you want a college experience, why not go to a cc part time?</p>
<p>Based on your post, I recommend that you continue with high school, graduate with your classmates, and then move on to college life. You still need to work on your communication and writing skills. IMO, you’re not academically or emotionally ready for college right now.</p>
<p>In the fall, dive right into your high school sophomore experience. Challenge yourself academically. Join clubs, make friends, find your passion, and get involved in your school and your community.</p>
<p>Lots of my friends went away to school when we were young as did some of my husband’s friends. As parents we did not want our kids leaving home until they left for college at 18. First we have a very fine public school system available as well as pretty fine charter/magnet schools. Secondly, so much growth occurs between 14 and 18 that we wanted to be part of that day to day. Third, my h was an only child and he thought the dynamic of having siblings and that day to day-ness was very important. Finally, you are but a “family” unit living under one roof less than 25% of your entire life and we find that to be a very important aspect of our kids’ lives. As far as “speeding up” the experience to an “early college” we would say “no” to that just on principle that it isn’t necessary. But this is just one parent opinion. I cannot pass judgement pro or con on your family or your reasons to leave, that is a decision for your family to make.</p>
<p>Your family cannot afford it. Period. End of that dream. Concentrate on improving your gpa, preparing for the SATs/ACT. Perhaps the cc has a “Middle College” experience where you do some classes at hs and some at the cc. Talk to your hs counselors this fall what you need to do to graduate in 3 years.</p>
<p>If your school system has an early college program I would encourage you to apply to that program (check out the Gates early college programs). But not a 50K out of state program for a student with a 3.2 GPA - Sorry but why would you think they would give you a scholarship?</p>
<p>If I was your Dad, I would tell you the same thing your Dad did (I won’t stand in your way in life but good luck kid) because it’s never going to happen. By the way if I were your Mom I would tell you exactly what she did.</p>
<p>Sounds like you want to run away more than be challenged, So I would encourage you to find and enjoy a unique expression for who you are, and study hard in school. Sorry I know going away must sound like more fun…</p>
<p>Early college…you had another thread with the same questions and concerns a while back. It doesn’t look like anything really has changed in the interim. You still want to do what YOU want to do, and your parents are not supporting this in any way. In addition, your family has another child who should be entering college before you…and a new baby on the way…and their own business which isn’t totally off the ground.</p>
<p>I’m going to give you the same advice I gave you last time…wait. Take the most rigorous courseload you can at your school. Get the very very best grades possible. And perhaps when the time comes, you will be in a better position to get some financial assistance in the form of merit aid when you apply to college.</p>
<p>At this point…as a parent…if I could not finance early college for my child I would tell them NO…unless they could finance it all by themselves. </p>
<p>You know…there are plenty of other ways to take college courses while in high school. Have you looked into any online courses? There are plenty of those around. In addition, perhaps there is a college or community college that you can take classes at while you are in high school. Kids around here do that all the time…dual enrollment with the college and HS. There are even some schools around here that have college courses that meet on Saturdays only.</p>
<p>I think you have options to consider that take your whole family into consideration. That sounds like what your family is trying to do. You need to look at the whole picture…not just your OWN desires. Right now, you can’t finance an education at Simon’s Rock…AND your parents really don’t want you to go. In this house…that would be the end of that story.</p>
<p>I cannot go to a CC until I’m a junior. How do you know I’m not academically or emotionally ready for college right now? Also, I know my writing on here isn’t perfect but it’s a thread. How do I not have good communication skills? I do challenge myself academically. I am in all honors and AP courses, I cannot take harder classes. My guidance counselor thinks it’s a great idea for me. Thanks momofthreeboys I do appreciate it. Also, my family could afford it with fin. aid not with 50k. Simon’s Rock isn’t that hard to get into. I know that someone with a 2.8 GPA got a 30k scholarship, so why couldn’t I? I think they look more of you as a whole person. I absolutely DO NOT want to go away to be away from my parents. I love my family and I’m a family person, but I have no other family here. I always study very hard in school and you can ask any of my teachers.</p>
<p>I just read your post, thumper. My dad is more supportive then my mom. He is more willing to let me go and he said he doesn’t have a problem to let me apply and see what happens. There really isn’t many online courses I could take and the one’s I have looked into are WAY too much money. When I have asked, my mom has said why would I pay for a course online when you can get it for free? I can’t do dual enrolment until junior year and I also wouldn’t have much time for an online course or dual enrolment. I’m on the swim team and when I come home I eat and do my homework and go to bed.</p>
<p>Well, regardless of what anyone here thinks, it sounds like you’re doing the only thing you can do – apply and also apply for financial aid, and see what happens.</p>
<p>If you don’t get accepted you won’t have to worry about how your parents feel about it. If you do get accepted, it might be a very different decision for them when they’re looking at a real admissions offer and a real financial aid offer. Maybe they’d still say ‘no’, but you would have given it your best shot.</p>
<p>No point in thrashing about in theoretical issues. Apply. See what happens.</p>
<p>And don’t worry about not having a high school diploma. My kids don’t have one and they’re both in college.</p>
<p>My mother never said she won’t let me go. She just told me how she felt a while ago and I haven’t brought it up much, but now she is getting more warn up to the idea of letting me apply and see what happens.</p>
<p>Thanks rentof2 I appreciate your post, that was what I had in mind but I wanted to know what other parents thought of letting there child go to college early. I agree and feel the fin. aid offer may open things up.</p>
<p>Your writing seems…off. Murky. Clunky. I think that’s where the comments about writing/communication skills are coming from.</p>
<p>If your parents aren’t in a position to pay $50k a year, and the school doesn’t give full rides and/or meet full need, will you be willing or able to take on debt? You’ve posted about being interested in acting and journalism, neither of which are good fields to make your way in while saddled with significant debt.</p>
<p>It’s prob. because I’m not spending much time looking over my writing. I don’t want to spend 20 minutes on one post, I mean come on this is a board. I am just trying to tell people how I feel and my situation and I’m not taking writing into account. I mean come on I would like to be a print journalist, but I don’t see what’s the point of looking over my post a million times. I’m a pretty good writer and it’s one of my best subjects.</p>
<p>As a rising junior, I understand where you’re coming from. It sounds like you are having difficulties with the social scene in your high school and want to go where there are kids more interested in academics and knowledge. Have you tried groups like competitive speech and debate, math and science organizations, academic decathlon, or one of the other “nerdy” extracurriculars at your school? They can be a good way to meet more academically-minded kids. Take the hardest courses you can, which clearly aren’t too easy if you have a 3.2. Skip a few days on this forum and try a new hobby or sport.</p>