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April, 2025

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Graduating Highschool Early

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SamwiseTheGamgee
Posts: 686 - Karma: 817
I'm set to graduate early from high school after my junior year (this year), and I was wondering if anyone else had done it, and if so, did you have to go through the college application process any differently then you would normally have to?

Also for those who had in fact graduated early, was it the right decision? were you successful/unsuccessful because of the early graduation?
13 years ago
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ihitchadsgap
Posts: 472 - Karma: 55
this is ns. highly unlikely
13 years ago
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introvert
Posts: 4718 - Karma: 1,482
.
13 years ago
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SamwiseTheGamgee
Posts: 686 - Karma: 817
You'd be surprised. I'm on NS, and graduating early, aren't I? I'm sure there has to be at least a few other people
13 years ago
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gaper-raper
Posts: 598 - Karma: 2,602
why would you graduate early? sr. year is the best year you'll ever have
13 years ago
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SSteezle
Posts: 9458 - Karma: 2,366
this thread would have much more info if it was about being held back a year
13 years ago
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SamwiseTheGamgee
Posts: 686 - Karma: 817
because my town sucks and I've known literally everyone since kindergarten. It's time for me to move on and meet new people, I'm just sick of the same old people
13 years ago
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steezy69
Posts: 251 - Karma: 184

you are missin out bro. senior year was the shit. didn't do shit and had a fuckin blast

13 years ago
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TheClap.
Posts: 21685 - Karma: 4,249
I had the option of graduating early, but decided not too. For me I wanted that extra year with my close friends and wanted to play sports. Plus I took a bunch of bullshit classes so Senior year was more fun then anything.

Another school by me lets their seniors go to the local Community College to get a jump start on shit, but also allows them to play sports to choose too. See what your school offers.
13 years ago
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 906
i very nearly graduated a year ahead.. but i was homeschooled.
the whole "best year of your life" bs didn't appeal to me at all. only reason i stayed around for my 4th year was because i was lazy.
13 years ago
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Lt-Aldo-Raine
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 120
My buddy did. I dont think he regrets it at all. He lived in Puerto Rico and Australia during his time off so i guess if you travel somewhere it would totally be worth it.

And for the record i thought Sr year was overrated Jr year was ze cats pajamas.
13 years ago
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SSteezle
Posts: 9458 - Karma: 2,366
it's not really bull shit... most peoples' senior years are fucking awesome, mine included
13 years ago
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
my school has a program where you can skip your senior year, and take freshman courses at a local private college (seattle U). i didnt do it, but some of my friends did. it makes it so you can graduate college in essentially three years, because you are still technically enrolled in the high school
13 years ago
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
why man its sorta of like people taking a year off after college. A lot of people arent even 18 by the time theyre out of highschool- you cant do much of anything if youre under 18.

dont try and grow up to fast-i wish i wasnt thats for sure I'd love to go back to the end of high school or college.
13 years ago
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ALaw
Posts: 2616 - Karma: 1,556
I did it. I really recommend doing it. Worked for 4 months and skied a shit ton. I'd say that it was worth it.
13 years ago
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SamwiseTheGamgee
Posts: 686 - Karma: 817
i do have the option even after this year of sticking around and taking electives at the High school but also taking community college courses, but I don't think I'm going to stick around. I don't have too many close friends at my school, and of those friends many of them are seniors now anyways so I wouldn't be able to hang with them my senior year. And besides, I can't take a bunch of bullshit classes my senior year IF i decided to stick around, because I'm trying to get into Brown University, so I figured I would load up on hard classes this year, graduate, and try to get accepted into a good school. If it doesn't work out, I'll stay and take more hard classes to improve my chances of getting into a good school.

my HS only has 500 kids TOTAL in grades 9-12, and quite frankly I'm bored with most of them
13 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61918 - Karma: 126,319
I graduated a semester early, shit was so sick.
13 years ago
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Schoellkopf
Posts: 1300 - Karma: 122
I graduated half a year early and can honestly say it was one of the best choices I've made in my entire life. That being said, it is definitely not for every one. You should have a plan or goal that you want to complete in the time that you would normally be finishing up school with, not just to bum around (which it doesn't sound like that's what you want to do anyways). I was lucky enough to be granted the opportunity to travel and volunteer in Africa with my family for three months. This was an incredible experience and really helped me learn more about who I am and what I want to do with my life.

People say senior year is the time of your life, which it is, but you don't need to be constrained to family, friends and school to make it that way. You are young and energetic and have the world at your fingers so make sure you find something you would really like to do, or a place you would really like to go. I definitely had fun the first half of my senior year and was glad I stuck around for that, but to be able to explore the world was eye-opening and posed challenges I wouldn't have faced otherwise. Also, it gave me the necessary break between education for me to be motivated freshmen year at college.

Like I said, it definitely isn't for everyone, but if you feel strongly about going out and DOING something I would highly recommend it.

Feel free to pm me any other questions you have about the experience.
13 years ago
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steezy69
Posts: 251 - Karma: 184
ouch that was the size of my grad. class
13 years ago
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
Same thing, I was VERY close to graduating a year early but didnt because of football/track. Ended up having a shitty football season and got injured first week of track. Honestly I wish I would have, senior year really wasn't anything special and I would have loved to get a jump-start on college. Everyone just began annoying me at school and it seemed like everyone started to clash. College is 10x better than high school
13 years ago
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yourthemannowdog
Posts: 4541 - Karma: 314
I was half way through senior year when I said fuck this. Walked into the guidance counselor's office and the next week I was on a plane out to Colorado
13 years ago
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Heart
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 3,464
same.

And OP, I would graduate early and get out. If you're not a fan of your town, I doubt senior year will be any different than your other years, at least that's how it was for me. I would have missed some good times in track and cross country though.
13 years ago
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 906
i was also homeschooled.. granted i took all my classes at community college my senior year (all 4 of them)
13 years ago
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HalfandHalf
Posts: 1216 - Karma: 207
my high school only has 150...
13 years ago
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t_rob
Posts: 6433 - Karma: 11,460
That makes you the 99% chief.
13 years ago
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SamwiseTheGamgee
Posts: 686 - Karma: 817
exactly what I was planning on doing, unless my plans change. I really haven't had that fun of a time in high school up to this point, so I don't see how senior year would be different. Although, i have to say I will definitely miss playing lax my senior year. I would most likely be a captain, and that's something I was really looking forward to
13 years ago
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Jibbin_Ur_Face
Posts: 2536 - Karma: 751
I have a friend who graduated early a few years ago and he absolutely loved it. He was able to get a night job to start making money for college and he was able to ski every day. I only have 4 credits left in order to graduate and I am going into my senior and I will most likely be graduating a semester early. I hope it works out. Ya you won't get to experience that final semester of your senior year of high school with your friends but it really depends on how you feel about it.
13 years ago
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,471

Bumpity bump bump

Bumping this because I am trying to make this decision as well. I really hadn't planned to until about a week ago, when my mom mentioned it over breakfast (it was an awesome breakfast). Anyway- My plan is to get my final two credits in summer school and apply to App State and VCU.

The reason I would leave early is this: I have been taking honors, DE and AP classes all high school. I have consistently gotten A's and B's. I figure that my transcript is looking the best it will ever look at the moment, and I should graduate while I’m ahead.

Another reason for graduating (although not as important) is that the "culture" if you will in Boone and Richmond are much more oriented towards my interests, and have plenty of opportunities for me as a climber and BMX rider.

Any and all input is awesome, +K for advice or opinions.

tl;dr I want to graduate early as well. what advice do you have

13 years ago
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Dr.Dickless
Posts: 2620 - Karma: 1,392
someone always says this

when are you gonna learn that NS is smart?

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13 years ago
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
not early, but had my two year associates when i graduated. get at me
13 years ago
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SamwiseTheGamgee
Posts: 686 - Karma: 817
Hey man, I am still planning on graduating early, but I don't know how likely it is at this point. The only reason I say that is because I really want to get into a very competitive school (brown university is my number 1) and I think having the 4 years will make me more likely to be accepted.

With that being said, I do still plan on applying this fall and I will have all my credits completed, so if I do get accepted into Brown or any of my other top choices I will definitely go, because I just feel like I'm ready to get a start on my life.

If I don't get accepted, I plan on taking electives in my highschool and getting some college credits at the local community college, then applying for the same schools again next fall. getting all of my credits out of the way this year basically gives me the freedom to decide what I want to do next year, so any way I go I'm happy that I'll have everything completed by the end of this school year.

13 years ago
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,471

Thanks man!

VCU isn't a very competitive state school, but App is. I've talked to admissions people from App, however, and they say getting admitted would still be possible.

If I don't et accepted, I plan to cruise through senior year, or maybe attend community college.

Again thanks for the response!

13 years ago
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chicken
Posts: 6844 - Karma: 2,122
I have friends who are my age who did it. One of them is already starting his PhD. To put that into perspective, most of my friends my age graduated last spring and starting their masters this year. I took time off so am way behind haha.

High school senior year is fun, but first year university is much more fun. After freshman year, HS seems lame as hell and you wont regret your decision at all. Assuming you are prepared for the workload and the change in lifestyle. Having a university degree at the age of 20 is going to set you up so well for the future (you could have a masters degree, or be starting a career by my age).

13 years ago
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,471
Honestly this was one of the bigger things holding me back- missing my senior year, and if i will be ready for college... especially VCU, which is in the slums, and people get killed on the regular na mean
13 years ago
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SamwiseTheGamgee
Posts: 686 - Karma: 817
exactly, I plan on getting my MBA straight out of my undergrad, and getting out a year early should be a big help
13 years ago
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
I skipped second grade, does that count?
13 years ago
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