Updated on January 1st, 2022
For many students, the idea of graduating from high school early is incredibly appealing on paper. However, many also wonder, “Is early graduation from high school actually a good idea?”
Ultimately, there are pros and cons to finishing a high school education early. As a result, students need to consider both perspectives before making a choice.
Did you know that there are scholarships for early high school graduates? It’s true. If you and your student want to learn about early graduation from high school scholarships, sign up for our free college scholarship webinar! Take a quick trip over to http://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to reserve a spot today.
If your student is debating whether graduating high school early is the best move for them, here’s what you and your student need to consider.
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Is It Possible to Graduate High School Early?
Yes, it is technically possible to graduate high school early. However, it isn’t always under a student’s control.
If your student is hoping to wrap up their high school education in less than four years, they’ll need to meet specific conditions as outlined by the school district. Usually, that means having enough of specific kinds of credits. However, other factors may also play in, such as maintaining a minimum GPA.
For students considering getting a GED instead of a traditional high school diploma, there are other requirements to navigate. Students might need to be of a certain age or not unenrolled in school, for example.
How to Graduate from High School Early
Early graduation from high school isn’t something a student can do on a whim. Instead, it usually requires a bit of planning, ensuring students can meet the requirements before they would traditionally finish high school.
Generally speaking, students interested in graduating high school early need to talk with their guidance counselor to create a plan as early in their high school career as possible. Since students need to squeeze in more classes, they’ll want as much time available to do so as possible.
Typically, your student will have to take a heavy course load to make graduating from high school early possible. That way, they’re ensuring that they handle all of the graduation requirements in less than four years.
In some cases, figuring out how to finish high school early requires little more than substituting core classes for certain kinds of electives or free periods. In others, it could mean taking extra courses online or attending summer school. Ultimately, the graduation requirements set by the school district will determine whether one or both options are viable for your student.
Alternatively, your student could explore getting their GED instead of a traditional high school diploma. However, this might not be ideal in all situations.
Does Graduating High School Early Affect College?
Graduating high school early can affect college, but usually not in the way that students expect. It’s easy to assume that wrapping up high school quickly would boost their college application. In reality, colleges don’t view early graduates any differently. In the end, the transcript will look the same as someone who took four years to earn their diploma aside from their being fewer semesters on the list.
However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t any impact. Instead, it’s that the potential effects don’t necessarily work in your student’s favor.
For example, if your student finishes high school early, they may have fewer opportunities to earn college credits through AP or similar programs. As a result, they may end up paying more for their education.
Additionally, certain kinds of awards – like athletic scholarships – may be less available. That drives the price of their education up.
If your student gets overwhelmed trying to fit in extra classes, their performance may suffer. As a result, they could end up with a lower GPA, potentially making it harder to get into their top-choice school.
Whether those points matter ultimately depends on where your student wants to go after high school. For less competitive colleges or trade schools, it may be irrelevant. However, if they’re aiming at a top-tier university, it could make a difference.
Pros and Cons of Early Graduation from High School
If you or your student are wondering, “Is it good to graduate high school early?” the answer is, “It depends.” There are some benefits of graduating high school early, as well as drawbacks.
Whether it’s the right move for your student will depend on their broader goals. However, by looking at graduating early from high school pros and cons, it’s easier to determine whether it’s the right path for them.
Pros of Graduating from High School Early
Head to College (or Start a Career) Faster
The biggest benefit of graduating from high school early is getting to start college (or a career) faster. If your student is academically inclined or doesn’t mesh well with the rest of the high school experience, graduating early lets them move on quickly.
In turn, if heading to college is part of their plan, they may graduate from that more quickly, too. In any case, they’ll be starting the next phase of their life faster.
Graduating early may also allow your student to avoid senioritis. However, this isn’t universally true.
Time for a Gap Year or Semester
Another one of the reasons to graduate early is that it could create room for a gap year or semester. With that, your student may be able to find ways to help pay for college. They could also volunteer to gain experience (or qualify for scholarships) or simply take a step back from academic life to refocus and recenter.
Access to Early Graduate Scholarships
There are scholarships that specifically target early high school graduates. By wrapping up high school ahead of schedule, your student may qualify for awards that have far less competition than the average scholarship. Overall, graduating from high school early is rare, so your student may have an easier time landing these kinds of awards.
Cons of Early Graduation from High School
Age Differences Can Matter
Your student’s age at graduation is a potential drawback to consider. While students who graduate a semester early may be 18 when they leave high school or begin their next phase, many students wouldn’t have legally entered adulthood if they graduate early. This can be a hindrance, depending on their broader plan.
For example, there can be work restrictions that apply to individuals under 18. Similarly, while a minor may be able to dorm at a college, getting their own apartment might not be possible. Finally, students under 18 may have trouble getting non-federal student loans or other financing because they’re classified as minors.
Being under 18 could also mean they aren’t able to participate in certain activities or go to the same places their classmates or colleagues can, creating a sense of separation. Younger graduates may also lack some emotional or mental maturity, comparatively. As a result, they may struggle to fit in with those around them.
Higher Odds of Academic Burnout
Since graduating early usually means taking on a heavier course load, your student is pushing themselves academically. As a result, they may be more likely to experience academic burnout.
Essentially, the process of graduating early leaves them stressed and overwhelmed. As a result, their performance may suffer, and they could struggle with mental health. Additionally, the idea of moving onto college could become less appealing since their academically exhausted.
Separation from Friends
Unless your student is part of a friend group that all intend to graduate early, finishing high school ahead of schedule could lead to some social challenges. Your student’s priorities will be in a different place. Additionally, they’ll effectively leave friends behind when they wrap up their classes and launch the next phase of their life.
Early high school graduates may also miss out on certain milestones. For example, senior proms aren’t something early graduates usually attend. Additionally, they won’t be attending a graduation ceremony with their original class.
GED Holders May Have a Harder Time Getting into Competitive Colleges
If your student opts for a GED instead of graduating from high school early in the traditional fashion, it may or may not limit their college prospects initially. If your student is interested in wrapping up high school to head to a community college, trade school, or less competitive university, that may work. But if they have their sights set on a highly competitive college, a GED instead of a high school diploma could make it harder to get accepted.
If your student gets a GED, they might not have access to a traditional high school transcript. As a result, they’ll have a more difficult time showcasing their past academic performance. Additionally, they may be ineligible for athletic scholarships or other kinds of awards, depending on how the university determines who qualifies.
Did you know that there are scholarships for early high school graduates? It’s true. If you and your student want to learn about early graduation from high school scholarships, sign up for our free college scholarship webinar! Take a quick trip over to http://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to reserve a spot today.
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