A College Degree Without High School Education

How he went from the first semester of 9th Grade to his first semester of college is a story in itself. What was initially viewed as a flaw in the educational system, he now sees as a blessing in disguise. It was a frustrating experience, but he found that it was possible to Skip High School and Go to College. Had he known then what he knows now, he might have chosen a different path.

Out of desperation, he enrolled in a community college after Spring semester was already in full swing. He was 12 years old and unfazed by the age difference between himself and his classmates. There was actually very little reaction to his age by teachers or other students, probably because he was tall and very mature. The classes, he said, weren't difficult, so skipping 3 1/2 years of school posed no issues for him.

What would he have done differently?

Many universities, Stanford, for example, will not accept transfer students. They prefer to have their undergraduates on campus all four years. Although he was accepted at the universities he applied to as a transfer student, he had no chance of getting into Stanford as a Junior. Had he known it was even possible to skip high school, he would've gone straight to a 4-year university instead of community college. He will settle for finishing his Bachelor's degree at a university close to home, then apply for grad school at Stanford or other universities with highly rated programs for his major.

Where to start

If your student is ready for college before finishing high school, check your options first. Request a personal interview with the admissions office at the university by having your student write a letter. The best way to pique their interest is for the student to write a short summary of their achievements and personal background. "Short" is the key word in that sentence!

The personal interview is the place to expand on areas the Admissions Officer is interested in. Bring along samples of work, aptitude test scores, if you have them, and transcripts. Be prepared for any requests the Admissions Officer may have, such as names of teachers who will support your effort to skip the rest of high school, so there are no unnecessary delays in their decision making process. You only have one chance to make a good first impression.

Is a High School diploma ever needed?

My son has only found one reason to have a High School diploma or a certificate of completion. University education being the expensive endeavor that it is, he applied for scholarships and grants through FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

He was awarded a grant that covered a large portion of his expenses, but came up against an obstacle when completing a verification form to accept the award. He needed to give the name of the high school he graduated from, GED or CHSPE dates. It didn't make a difference that he had just earned an Associates degree and had completed all of his IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum) lower division requirements in college. They need verification that the student has met basic educational requirements at the high school level. I spoke with the highest ranking grant analyst and I assure you there is no way around this.

The GED (General Educational Development Test) can only be taken by those 18 years of age or older, so he applied to take the CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Exam) in June. Before turning 16, he wasn't eligible to take this exam because he was not enrolled in at least Grade 10 in High School. If he had been accepted at a 4-year university before the age of 16, there would not have been any possibility of government grants, although other financial aid options are available, mostly in the form of student loans. Financial aid has been the only time he has found the lack of a high school diploma to be an issue.

Deadlines and fees

It's very important to be aware of all university deadlines as you move forward with your student's education. Getting the personal interview doesn't exempt you from the regular application and financial aid deadlines, which are between 6 - 11 months before Fall term begins. The only fees required are application fees, which can be waived depending on your financial situation, and are usually under $100 per application. No other fees are required until you make a tuition deposit.

One note about housing: If you are applying at universities that aren't within commuting distance, be sure to check on housing options. University insurance does not cover younger students who want to live on campus. You may be able to apply for family housing, but if this is an issue, check on housing first.

Source: Personal Experience