So.. I'm graduating in under 2 months.

[Weeeman]

To start, this is from highschool, no shooting the highschooler, please.

Graduating a semester early wouldn't be too big of a deal usually but...
I'm graduating 3 semesters early.

This is going to sound horrible, but tonight was the first time I actually got concerned about getting into a good college, taking my SATs [Don't ask why I haven't taken them yet, I really don't know] etc etc.

I'm just wondering what the ATOT'ers would do if they could put themself in my position.

Head off to college at 17~18?
Work for a year and a half?

Suggestions?

My parents seem to be oblivious to what is going on and haven't been much of a help, so what is an ATOT'ers natural thought process? Post on ATOT.

 

[Frew]

bump

 

[Ranger X]

This is a no-brainer. Head off to college early because what you'll make coming out of HS vs. coming out of college is chump change.

 

[BeauJangles]

I would take time off and work, if I were you. But I would find a place to work that I enjoyed. That way, when you go to college money won't have to be your biggest concern. I dunno what your extra-cirriculars look like or grades or anything but it would also be a good time to do some volunteer work... colleges love that and it can be a really fun time.

 

[GhettoFob]

go to college, there's plenty of time to work later

 

[Weeeman]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
I would take time off and work, if I were you. But I would find a place to work that I enjoyed. That way, when you go to college money won't have to be your biggest concern. I dunno what your extra-cirriculars look like or grades or anything but it would also be a good time to do some volunteer work... colleges love that and it can be a really fun time.

I'm not a genious or anything, I changed schools towards the end of last year. My first school required a few more credits than this one and I was ahead of the pace at my old school.

I'm just your average A~B student with no real accomplishments yet.

Haven't done much work yet either, I worked ~12~ weeks full time over the summer, but other than that I've pretty much been a bum

 

[Semidevil]

go to college......

go to college. YOu will be glad, because you have the perfect time to go to college, and if you want to, you can use a semeser or so, to explore your major.

If not, you will graduate college early...which is good too

 

[AgentEL]

how are your grades? if they are low, maybe you can stay in school a bit longer to raise your GPA and get into a higher tier college.

 

[KingNothing]

My roommate last year started college when he was 14. He's 18 or 19 now and is a senior. It worked out just fine for him. When he turned 18 he got a 4-year scholarship, so he can easily get a dual major if he wants to.

Therefore, your biggest focus should be on getting good scholarships. If nothing stellar comes up for next fall, work your butt off to bump your ACT/SAT to bump your score high (33+ on the ACT, 1500+ on the SAT) and get good scholarships that way.

 

[Semidevil]

if I were you, here is the plan I would take:

think about what you want to do...do you want to go to local university, or somewhere prestigious?

either way, graduate early, and go to a community college, and take care of your Gen Ed. Credits. While your in your community college, get some information on how to transfer to college of choice....

I think this is a win-win situation. You can go to community college, and while there, use that time to think about what you want to do with your life....at the same time, you are still getting university credit, so you dont waste time.

IMHO, if you do plan to go to college, and you are not having money trouble, I think you will regret if you took time off and decided for work. dont waste time....

 

[mugs]

If you can find a job that will pay you reasonably well, work for a while. You're probably not mature enough to go to college.

Edit: Taking classes at community college is a good suggestion, as long as those credits will transfer.

Edit: Come to think of it you'd really only be starting a year early, which isn't uncommon. I started when I was 17 and I survived. Go to college.

 

[beyonddc]

College should be a better choice for you.
Most people survive their college life through financial aids and loan. You can do it too.
Those extra money you make right now can be easily make-up when you graduate or part-time or co-op during college.

 

[Submit]

College.

 

[Weeeman]

Originally posted by: Semidevil
if I were you, here is the plan I would take:

think about what you want to do...do you want to go to local university, or somewhere prestigious?

either way, graduate early, and go to a community college, and take care of your Gen Ed. Credits. While your in your community college, get some information on how to transfer to college of choice....

I think this is a win-win situation. You can go to community college, and while there, use that time to think about what you want to do with your life....at the same time, you are still getting university credit, so you dont waste time.

IMHO, if you do plan to go to college, and you are not having money trouble, I think you will regret if you took time off and decided for work. dont waste time....

My Grandparents started a college fund when I was born which is at 5-6k now, which isn't an amazing amount, but will help me tremendously.

I don't really have too many choices in terms of a bigger college around here, my brother is attending PSU right now which is probably what I will end up doing sooner or later [I would really like to go to A&M but I don't beleive I can afford an out of state college.]

If I were to attend a community college [I have one about a mile from my house] I'm assuming that it would help my chances of getting into a better college when I transfer out?

 

[naruto1988]

Originally posted by: Weeeman
My parents seem to be oblivious to what is going on and haven't been much of a help, so what is an ATOT'ers natural thought process? Post on ATOT OT.

post on anandtech offtopic offtopic?

 

[Weeeman]

Originally posted by: naruto1988

Originally posted by: Weeeman
My parents seem to be oblivious to what is going on and haven't been much of a help, so what is an ATOT'ers natural thought process? Post on ATOT OT.

post on anandtech offtopic offtopic?

Good point.

 

[Dubb]

I'll vote for a couple years of community college. get a head start on the core things.

don't know what you're social/hometown situation is, but senior year is full of good memories for alot of folks...if you go to a community college, you can still do the fun stuff with your friends...just make sure to take a really light load when your friends are in their last semester - you don't want to be cramming when they're hitting 4 parties a week, going on senior skip vacations, etc. something to think about. then again if you hate everyone at your school, and hate your hometown, upgrading to college life might be better - if you're ready for it.

 

[virtueixi]

Go to college.

 

[HalosPuma]

Originally posted by: Weeeman
Head off to college at 17~18?
Work for a year and a half?

If you can afford it, go to a 4-year public university, then become a foreign-exchange student and travel to Europe.

 

[edro]

Just go to the local big name state school and figure everything out when you get there.