My Son Will Graduate High School at 14 - Which of the 3 Big Schools Would Be Best?

[cookderosa]

It is not my motivation at all. I was planning on him graduating at 18 and then going to an on-campus college. He has bigger plans for himself. He wants to be done with all his formal schooling and then go to a foreign 3rd world country for 2 years when he turns 19 to do volunteer work.

He wants to be able to come home after that and be able to get married, support and raise a family without the stress of trying to get school done then.

He is not an average kid. He studies Latin and Biblical Greek on the side and wants to be fluent in both. He is also interested in Biblical Hebrew and Arabic. He knows that getting his basic college done he can later go into more advanced programs to study ancient languages, where his true passion lies. Getting his bachelors and possibly masters done early will help him get into his desired masters and maybe phd programs later.

Again, I don't want to hold him back at all. He is a bright kid, slightly aspergers (but still has pretty good social skills).

In that case, I think you're making a mistake sending him to one of the big 3. Get him set to take the next SAT/ACT exams and help him assemble admission portfolios. Start calling around to adcoms and explain your unique situation. AP exams are coming up, he can start studying NOW and he can likely earn a much better chance for admissions bringing in AP credit.
His unique situation might allow him to get a full scholarship, and if he is extraordinary, it's going to be lost on a degree from TESC. The big 3 meet a need, but it's not to launch a brilliant young person to greatness. TESC is not the path into a traditional PhD program. He can (and should) take no less than 5 AP exams (especially Latin since so few do) and perhaps a few CLEPs in the maths. Solid scores will fast forward him through his first year of college and he'll start as a sophomore. If he takes 15 credits per semester instead of 12, he'll be out in 2 years and likely a ROCK STAR candidate for a PhD program.

All the best to him!

[rebel100]

In that case, I think you're making a mistake sending him to one of the big 3. Get him set to take the next SAT/ACT exams and help him assemble admission portfolios. Start calling around to adcoms and explain your unique situation. AP exams are coming up, he can start studying NOW and he can likely earn a much better chance for admissions bringing in AP credit.
His unique situation might allow him to get a full scholarship, and if he is extraordinary, it's going to be lost on a degree from TESC. The big 3 meet a need, but it's not to launch a brilliant young person to greatness. TESC is not the path into a traditional PhD program. He can (and should) take no less than 5 AP exams (especially Latin since so few do) and perhaps a few CLEPs in the maths. Solid scores will fast forward him through his first year of college and he'll start as a sophomore. If he takes 15 credits per semester instead of 12, he'll be out in 2 years and likely a ROCK STAR candidate for a PhD program.

All the best to him!

Cook knows her stuff, your new here, but I can say from experience that she knows what she's talking about.

[ronaldemail1]

Another suggestion could be to make him take a year of Straighterline, their deal of 10 courses
for 12 months ($999 plus book expenses). He will be able to get 30 credits and then transfer
them to the school that he prefers.

[ImustStudy]

Marianne202, Why don't you kick his dog too while you are at it... LOL

I think you bring up some good points here, not everyone is ready for college courses at 14 years old. I do however reason that a 14 year old who is self motivated and can study independently has an axcellent chance at independent college learning and much more so than his less mature and less motivated public school competitors.

I for one would argue that this particular chap is by far head and shoulders ahead of many (if not all) of the public school kids that are enrolling in your community college classes. Homeschooled or independent learning kids consistently perform at a much higher rate not only in school, but throughout life than their colleagues.

To say that this highly motivated, exceptional home/independently educated student should not pursue his goals is simply to project the experience of your friend's child onto this outstanding and highly motivated student.

JaronB34, you have my vote for full speed ahead on the college and graduate school journey. Excelsior is an excellent option in my opinion and as an Excelsior graduate, I can definitely see your student excelling with all of the available options there. That being said, don't rule out other options which might be available such as local private institutions which share your worldview or perhaps Ivy League schools if it meets your son's needs. Even state schools are an option, however the independent study option at home offered at Excelsior, TESC, COSC etc. allows you to provide the guidance that your son will need as he matures and grows as a scholar and as a young man. Excelsior (and other Big 3) students have indeed been accepted to Harvard and other well-known schools so I wouldn't worry. Either way, a 16 year old with a Bachelors degree will definitely not blend in or get lost in the crowd.

I don't know the particulars as to age requirements but if your student completes the requirements, you can petition for early graduation or perhaps a waiver (which could be granted in exceptional cases such as yours perhaps) and if they won't award the degree in the meantime, perhaps he could consider the option of pursuing an intership with a likeminded Congressman, Senator or other office in your area that would give him a "stamp of approval" and a jump start on a career, regardless of the actual career field he pursues.

That being said, a completed degree that has not yet been conferred is still worth as much as the conferred degree and most employers if asked would likely accept a letter from the university attesting to the completion pending conferral. Graduate schools will likely also accept your son as a "probationary" student pending actual conferral of the bachelors degree and convert the status after it is conferred. (If you don't ask, you won't get)

I think you are on the right track and commend your gifted scholar. You are doing something right at home and parents across America can learn from you and your son.

I have attached a study referencing Johns Hopkins University and early college graduation, here


Extremely young college graduates: Evidence of their success

Here is another article on exceptional young scholars. One being Woody Allen's son Ronan who graduated from Stanford Online High School at 11, earned his AS and BS degrees and was accepted to Yale Law School by age 16. Definitely an under-achiever who should have stayed in public school and "thrived" with his young future leaders and future congressman, senators and union bosses.


Child Prodigies: The YOUNGEST College Graduates (PHOTOS)

Perhaps Marianne might be concerned that your son might end up like Ms. Yusof (a dropout who appears to be the exception when compared to the other exceptional scholars) unlikely in my opinion.

Keep up the good work and press on.

Best wishes to you and your son.

Just a side note that while he may be done with high school at 14, he may not have the maturity to handle college level work at that young age. I'm a college instructor who's school teaches college classes to high school juniors and seniors and believe me, more fail than not, as they are just not ready for the rigor and speed. Not to mention he may be way out of his league solely based on life experience to get into a graduate program so early. Depending on his career choice employers may not even consider him, even with a graduate degree at 18, for employment. Also keep in mind that your income and assets will also be considered for any and all loans and grant applications until he reaches 21, so he may not be able to get any financial aid or limited financial aid while still being so young. While it is great he is accelerating at such a young age, just be careful not to overload or overwhelm him. I had a friend that had a similar situatation with a younger than normal college age son and he bailed out after one semester with an ulcer, because he felt too outcast and honestly he lacked a lot of the necessary life experiences and to fully understand and complete his assignments. Make sure you let him enjoy being a teenager! Good luck to you all!

[Carnation]

I just wanted to say that we are in the same boat and are choosing to use the "Big 3" to acquire a bachelors.
I think the decision on whether to use these colleges or aim at a big name school depends on the student.
Students who make use of the big name schools usually don't mind repetition and will enter the honors college on the big name school campuses.
My ds won't have anything to do with repeating courses so we CLEP as we finish high school courses and will use them at least to fulfill the general eds.
Every student is different and you have to follow your gut about your own students.
Best wishes on this crazy fast paced roller coaster ride with your driven student!

P.S. Have you looked into joining a profoundly gifted community? It might help you to connect with other parents whose students start college courses at a young age. We just spent an amazing week at camp with others in our boat and are part of a listserv where we find guidance. Contact me if you'd like information.

[Prloko]

In that case, I think you're making a mistake sending him to one of the big 3. Get him set to take the next SAT/ACT exams and help him assemble admission portfolios. Start calling around to adcoms and explain your unique situation. AP exams are coming up, he can start studying NOW and he can likely earn a much better chance for admissions bringing in AP credit.
His unique situation might allow him to get a full scholarship, and if he is extraordinary, it's going to be lost on a degree from TESC. The big 3 meet a need, but it's not to launch a brilliant young person to greatness. TESC is not the path into a traditional PhD program. He can (and should) take no less than 5 AP exams (especially Latin since so few do) and perhaps a few CLEPs in the maths. Solid scores will fast forward him through his first year of college and he'll start as a sophomore. If he takes 15 credits per semester instead of 12, he'll be out in 2 years and likely a ROCK STAR candidate for a PhD program.

All the best to him!

I agree. The intent of the Big 3 is to assess college equivalent learning by adults. I love University learning and being around bright like-minded people. Unfortunately, I sat on my rear-end for years and am now in a position where I would like to get my degree over and done with so I can get out of the military with decent career prospects. I would encourage him to try and get into a prestigious honors program.

[BenWalton]

I would suggest that you have your son do his degree at TESC. I have two friends who were under 21 when they applied to TESC, and they were both accepted. They graduated and were both given good scholarships to law school. Don't have him apply to Thomas Edison immediately; you'll have to pay more. I would suggest that you have him take CLEP exams and DSST exams for his entire degree, and that you have him apply a few months before he will complete all his testing. Also, please tell him not to be nervous about CLEPs. If he has had a good education, he'll be able to pass the exams. Please tell him that I have taken 19 different CLEP exams, so I have a fair idea of what I am talking about.

I think your goal of a Master's by 18 is fairly reasonable. Good luck!

[bella2011]

Great drive hope he can squeeze in time to be a kid

It is not my motivation at all. I was planning on him graduating at 18 and then going to an on-campus college. He has bigger plans for himself. He wants to be done with all his formal schooling and then go to a foreign 3rd world country for 2 years when he turns 19 to do volunteer work.

He wants to be able to come home after that and be able to get married, support and raise a family without the stress of trying to get school done then.

He is not an average kid. He studies Latin and Biblical Greek on the side and wants to be fluent in both. He is also interested in Biblical Hebrew and Arabic. He knows that getting his basic college done he can later go into more advanced programs to study ancient languages, where his true passion lies. Getting his bachelors and possibly masters done early will help him get into his desired masters and maybe phd programs later.

Again, I don't want to hold him back at all. He is a bright kid, slightly aspergers (but still has pretty good social skills).