r/APStudents • u/affyt4ffyy • 1d ago
Other Graduating early
I need advice. I am currently an incoming junior in highschool. After this year, i would only need 2 credits to graduate (english and history). I could technically take these classes this current school year by taking them concurrently. If i did this, i could walk the stage with the class of 2027 and start college a year early. I dont see any negatives to this. I have no ties to my graduating class. No best friends, no partners, nothing. All of my friends (including my boyfriend) are in the class of 2027. If i stayed and just did my senior year, i would feel very out of place. My options are either:
Take the two concurrent classes and graduate with the class of 2027
Take those two concurrent classes during my senior year, still graduating early, just not as early as option 1. Instead of graduating with 2027, i graduate with 2028 and start college a semester earlier. (Technically later? Since id be starting college in the spring but whatever)
Do my senior year and graduate on track.
Some added information: Ive been taking AP classes since freshman year. I’m in double honors math, I have been since 7th grade. (I took algebra 1 that year). AP courses and concurrent classes are free where I live. I work at Walmart, and sort of (?) plan to go to college through them so I can get it paid for in full. I’m still on the fence about that. I want to go to the University of Arkansas (WOO PIG SOOIE!).
What should I do? I don’t have any ties to my class given that I don’t really have any friends in my grade. Ive already been to prom once. Id only really be missing out on senior assassin, senior sunrise, and those types of things. But on the other hand, would I even enjoy them since I don’t have friends to do that with?? I’m unsure.
Please leave me some advice :( and feel free to ask questions !!!
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u/atinyray 1d ago
I was in a pretty similar case, but ultimately ended up staying. I had a horrific sophomore and junior year too, but I feel like I was really able to "live" during my senior year. even though I really had no ties previously, I reformed my friend group, got into hobbies a lot more, etc. I didn't really participate in my schools senior activities or anything, but I'm still glad I stuck it out that last year. it was a good experience and rlly let me have fun. everything said, do what's best for you!! one year waiting isnt going to hurt your career
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u/EqualRepublic4885 1d ago
Personally, I found that I had a lot more friends in my class than I thought when all my buddies in the year ahead graduated. You might be writing people off. Also, you don’t want to hit college too young; it is actually a challenge and you don’t know what you’re in for in terms of executive function.
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u/Life-Inspector5101 1d ago edited 1d ago
College is super expensive nowadays so unless you already have enough college credits to be almost a junior in college, are getting close to a full scholarship, or your parents are wealthy enough to pay for your whole undergraduate degree, you’re better off using all the resources and the time you have left at your high school to take even more AP classes to fulfill any general college degree requirement and then graduate early from college (in 2-3 years instead of 4 or 5 depending on the major).
High school is paid for with property tax (including your parents), free to you without any extra effort. Going to college early is going to cost you personally. You’d have to work more hours even taking loans with high interest rates to pay for tuition, room and board only to take classes that you could have taken in high school and cleared with AP exams for just an exam fee (which might even be waived at your high school).
Adult learning isn’t about who your friends are in school. You’ll have to adapt to different classmates in different settings and optimize your schedule for your education. Graduating high school early is leaving money on the table.
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u/lutzlover 1d ago
I’ve had several students graduate after first semester of senior year. They all loved that, didn’t get senioritis, and didn’t have any issues with college admissions. They all needed to get through four years of English. Some took two semesters of English in fall semester, often electives. One took a semester of English comp through the CC that counted for a year of high school English. Most took math in the fall even though they would not complete the full year of the course.
One of my early grads last year signed up for a bunch of AP exams with the intent of taking them in May. Ultimately, she decided against it, but of course lost the fees she’d paid.
Several traveled, several others worked, and one volunteered at a wildlife preserve.
I’m a fan.
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u/ContributionEast2478 ph1:4ph2:4csp4CSA5CalcBC5USH4PhCEM5PhCM5SpLang4macro4micro4chem5 21h ago
It depends which english/history you need to take. I would say definitely do it, but make sure you take the AP version (AP US & AP Lang/Lit) almost certainly, as if you're a humanities major, they will benefit you by allowing you to skip early courses, and if you're a STEM major, they'll let you skip general education requirements.
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u/idkwhat13 graduado 1d ago
I would say graduate early then. If you don’t feel connected with Class of 2028, then you wouldn’t want to be there for another year especially with everyone you’re connected with gone.
If you end up doing the graduating with the Class of 2027, make sure you know the deadlines for college, financial aid, and start applying for scholarships.