Early Graduation and it's Potential Effects on Admissions

WingsofBlue19

WingsofBlue19

USAFA Hopeful
Joined
Jul 14, 2023
Messages
9
I'm going into my sophmore year of high school, I have a >4.0 GPA, a 30 ACT composite(as of freshman year), and more credits than I should. On that point, I am faced with a choice; I can either graduate this year(sophmore year), or go through all four years. To give a bit of background, I am an AFJROTC cadet who takes several AP classes, am in the top 5% of my class, and#1 in unweighted GPA(230 people), have taken FAA created and accredited Aeropsace and leadership classes, I am a CAP cadet, the commander of our Kitty Hawk Air Society(JROTC's academic honor society), the captain of our J-LAB(JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl) team, where we almost made it to nationals, and I am the Vice-Commander of Drill/Color Guard. I' still 15, but I' fairly physically fit(top 15%), with 48 pushups in a minute, 53 situps in a minute, and a 6:58 Mile run as of my last PT assessment. I can also do 9 pull ups, probably more if I really pushed it. The problem here is that I don't meet the credit recommendations suggested by USAFA. I have a credit plan, which covers every one, but it would require me to stay all four years. Plus, staying all four years would allow me to spend more time in JROTC, which will likely get me a better leadershop position, and give me time to write my congressman, up my class rank, increase my ACT scores, get more involved in ECAs/Athletics, etc. However, if I decide to graduate early(correct me if I'm wrong, please, I've been wanting to know)then I'll apply for an AFROTC scholarship at EKU for aviation, however, I'm not sure if the lack of the recommended classes(from the USAFA website) would affect my chances of this, and I' you're you know better than me, so please tell me, atleast your opinion. Anyways, at the very least graduating early would afford me two years to attend college beforehand, and possibly even complete college level ROTC and commision(I'd be 20 upon college graduation.) Anyways, now that you know the background, I'd love to hear your opinion. Should I stay all four years for the greater chance of admission, or should I graduate 2 years early, take the calculated risk(The American Creed, read it if you haven't, please), and either get two years of college in before I apply to USAFA, or try and go to AFROTC? I only have 28 days or so to decide my future, so Godspeeed, and God Bless you.
 
Personally, I wouldn’t graduate early. Does your school system offer dual enrollment? If so, do that, keep crushing academics, and focus on calc/physics at the college level while your school pays for it. I’m not sure where you are, but schools are generally required to meet the educational needs of their students, even if it means providing opportunities at the college level.
 
It might be helpful to write out and create an actual matrix to categorize your academic, athletic and leadership elements, and then scour the USAFA websites and AFROTC websites to glean information about what they value. With clear eyes, identify your weaknesses and strengths. Develop strategies to address the weaknesses. Weigh pros and cons.

Identify potential lost opportunities and decision elements attending a summer seminar program at USAFA before graduation, attending Boys State/Girls State or other summer leadership development programs or internships. Maturing a bit more. Exploring other college opportunities and career paths. Not being eligible to apply for the high school AFROTC scholarship if you are already in college at a school with NROTC, and applying for the college AFROTC scholarship, and being able to afford the college you are at without a scholarship. Just spitballing here, not pushing you one way or another.

Don’t put a lot of emphasis on early graduation as something that will blow USAFA away. Yes, it can certainly make you stand out, but you still have to bring it in your actual application. They will evaluate and score your application in the same way as other candidates, on academics, athletics and leadership. And it’s not quantity in terms of ECAs, it’s quality.

I think you must be 17 to receive an AFROTC scholarship. If there is an AFROTC det at a nearby college, you could consider organizing your questions, see if anyone is willing to meet with you, and go visit.

I was going to mention dual enrollment while still in HS - great way to take college courses IF you have already taken the hardest courses offered by your HS that are of interest to USAFA. Why pay for it yourself if your HS can do it.

Don’t be the tomato plucked too early from the vine with unripe spots that never have a chance to ripen. There is no rush. You have to be at least 17 but no older than 23 when you start at USAFA, so there is time. You have another 80 or so years left on the planet. You will never be in high school again with this group of people, just being this age and not being an adult just yet. Don’t undervalue that.
 
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I could have graduated in tenth grade - and didn’t. My son obviously could have, but never thought about it. I suspect most that get into SAs could have.

Whatever you gain from it might not compensate you for the social aspect you lose.

Take the dual courses as mentioned, play sports, and look for leadership opportunities.

You certainly are on the right track.
 
This isn’t a race. Why the hurry? If you school has options for dual enrollment and other things to keep you challenged, why miss out on being a kid? You only live life once. I will tell you being a 20-year old officer has its downside as well. Heck even at 22 I felt so young. Grow, mature, have fun, be a kid, try new things.
 
Finish the four years of HS. There are way too many hurdles for you to get over by graduating early and attempting to apply later as a college student. Even if you were able to join AFROTC without a scholarship, you would be two years from commissioning and then have to start over with 4 (possibly 5) years at USAFA.
Use the rest of HS to get some athletic achievements and to get your ACT score up. Take the hardest classes that you can and do well.

Stealth_81
 
Agree with others.

I would assume that a SA is also looking for a maturely developed person. You would be giving up two years of self development. Giving up two years of maturing. Two years of opportunities to be a leader of your class. A Varsity team captain. Class President. NHS. Etc.

The two biggest years of change, are freshman (simply bc of the new HS experience), and senior year. A lot comes into focus.

I love captMJ’s ‘tomato that was picked too early’ analogy. Let your spots ripen up. The ones that can only come with time, maturing and experience. I know from my own experience as a mom of four, host mom to 6…you are NOT the same person as a sophomore as you are a senior. Shoot, you may even decide your other opportunities that come around to you, as a senior, may be more attractive than the military route.

Stay active, engaged, continue to lead and rock your academics and physical fitness. You’re talking about giving up half of your hs years of opportunities to grow. That’s a significant amount. I would view it as a negative, not a positive addition to your resume. But that’s me.
 
Also, though not entirely apples to apples (or tomatoes to tomatoes) here…. My daughter skipped a grade in elementary school, so she will be younger entering an SA (if she’s fortunate enough to gain an appointment). There were some growing pains there… while, academically, everything has been consistently stellar, she had to grow up/mature very quickly over the last year. She did it but it was difficult, and not without some hiccups. We’re talking high school here. While you might be able to handle the academics entering college as a 14-15 year old, the maturity and development that will happen amongst your peers over the next two years can’t be understated. Look at dual enrollment, beef up your leadership, play some sports, and really prep for your standardized testing!
 
WingsofBlue19 said:
I'm going into my sophmore year of high school, I have a >4.0 GPA, a 30 ACT composite(as of freshman year), and more credits than I should. On that point, I am faced with a choice; I can either graduate this year(sophmore year), or go through all four years. To give a bit of background, I am an AFJROTC cadet who takes several AP classes, am in the top 5% of my class, and#1 in unweighted GPA(230 people), have taken FAA created and accredited Aeropsace and leadership classes, I am a CAP cadet, the commander of our Kitty Hawk Air Society(JROTC's academic honor society), the captain of our J-LAB(JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl) team, where we almost made it to nationals, and I am the Vice-Commander of Drill/Color Guard. I' still 15, but I' fairly physically fit(top 15%), with 48 pushups in a minute, 53 situps in a minute, and a 6:58 Mile run as of my last PT assessment. I can also do 9 pull ups, probably more if I really pushed it. The problem here is that I don't meet the credit recommendations suggested by USAFA. I have a credit plan, which covers every one, but it would require me to stay all four years. Plus, staying all four years would allow me to spend more time in JROTC, which will likely get me a better leadershop position, and give me time to write my congressman, up my class rank, increase my ACT scores, get more involved in ECAs/Athletics, etc. However, if I decide to graduate early(correct me if I'm wrong, please, I've been wanting to know)then I'll apply for an AFROTC scholarship at EKU for aviation, however, I'm not sure if the lack of the recommended classes(from the USAFA website) would affect my chances of this, and I' you're you know better than me, so please tell me, atleast your opinion. Anyways, at the very least graduating early would afford me two years to attend college beforehand, and possibly even complete college level ROTC and commision(I'd be 20 upon college graduation.) Anyways, now that you know the background, I'd love to hear your opinion. Should I stay all four years for the greater chance of admission, or should I graduate 2 years early, take the calculated risk(The American Creed, read it if you haven't, please), and either get two years of college in before I apply to USAFA, or try and go to AFROTC? I only have 28 days or so to decide my future, so Godspeeed, and God Bless you.
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There is often a gap between high school graduation requirements and college admission requirements. This gap widens if you consider what makes a student competitive for selective colleges or scholarship programs.

You have some nice accomplishments after your first year of high school. But recognize that you would be competing for AFROTC scholarships against students who have (at least) 4 years of math and science in high school, and 4 years of activities, sports, and leadership experience.

Gently, if you won't have the credit requirements for the Air Force Academy at the end of sophomore year, you probably face stiff competition for an Air Force ROTC scholarship. The number of AFROTC High School Scholarship Program selectees was cut last year, and now only Type 1 Scholarships are awarded. This means HSSP is more competitive than ever, including on an academic basis.

One other consideration is that if you join ROTC earlier, this means you are attending college classes and doing ROTC training as a younger, less experienced person. This isn't always a bad option. But it does mean you would be in classes and drill with students who are older and more experienced (and potentially stronger and more mature). To the extent that your service assignment is based on relative ranking, leaving high school after just two years could be a disadvantage.

You have to be at least 17 to be selected for a ROTC scholarship, HSSP Applicant Guide.

My suggestion is to spend longer in high school and max out your academic and leadership experiences. IF you reach a point where you can no longer take classes at your academic level (at your school or through dual enrollment college options), then consider other options.
 
jbm2m said:
Also, though not entirely apples to apples (or tomatoes to tomatoes) here…. My daughter skipped a grade in elementary school, so she will be younger entering an SA (if she’s fortunate enough to gain an appointment). There were some growing pains there… while, academically, everything has been consistently stellar, she had to grow up/mature very quickly over the last year. She did it but it was difficult, and not without some hiccups. We’re talking high school here. While you might be able to handle the academics entering college as a 14-15 year old, the maturity and development that will happen amongst your peers over the next two years can’t be understated. Look at dual enrollment, beef up your leadership, play some sports, and really prep for your standardized testing!
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My parents chose to move me from first to second grade. I was a young first grader. The growing pains were real. 40+ years later, I can’t say I regret there choices since it led to my life today in both good and bad days.

BUT——- wish they hadn’t done it. The repercussions came over the years in a myriad of ways.

As an educator I saw it several times in my students. I would counsel as others have. Stick it out, let parts and components of you mature and ripen in ways you don’t even know you need yet.

Having passed the half century mark on this journey round the sun, I would tell you to slow your roll. USAFA or ROTC and college will be there when you are 17.
 
Heatherg21 said:
My parents chose to move me from first to second grade. I was a young first grader. The growing pains were real. 40+ years later, I can’t say I regret there choices since it led to my life today in both good and bad days.

BUT——- wish they hadn’t done it. The repercussions came over the years in a myriad of ways.

As an educator I saw it several times in my students. I would counsel as others have. Stick it out, let parts and components of you mature and ripen in ways you don’t even know you need yet.

Having passed the half century mark on this journey round the sun, I would tell you to slow your roll. USAFA or ROTC and college will be there when you are 17.
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Some parents hold their kids back from kindergarten so they are more physically and emotionally developed. Sports are sometimes the goal.

My son was the youngest in his class … you could see the differences in junior high - and they tend to lessen around 17/18.
 
Plenty of great advice here. I’ll add this, from the perspective of a college professor:

Each year, I have several students who “breezed” through high school. They got stellar grades. Many took difficult classes. A few graduated early or did dual enrollment. And yet, once at a four-year college, they struggle. Some struggle mightily — getting Cs and DS for the first time — and are flummoxed by this outcome.

My conclusion, after speaking with them: They didn’t anticipate and/or weren’t ready for the significant jump in rigor. Whether it’s the more-challenging material, the faster pace, the decreased hand-holding, the many distractions — all can conspire to sink the most accomplished high-school grads.

Sadly, many don’t know how to study effectively — because they never had to. Many don’t know how to ask for help or deal with setbacks — because they never had to. Many don’t know how to manage their time — because they never had to. Generally speaking, high-school classes are mainly about memorization. They have fairly lax standards for what constitutes outstanding work. And they’re regimented in a way that keeps students on track. I’m not trying to make a blanket indictment — there are exceptions. But my conclusion is drawn from observation of the end-products and their own recollection of what high school was like.

So sticking around for all four years, and taking classes that are more demanding, more precise, more rigorous, can reduce the culture shock of college academics. If those classes aren’t available at the high school, perhaps they can be accessed at a nearby college. In any case, flying through high school is not necessarily an indicator of readiness for college. I counsel caution and care if looking to graduate early.

P.S. I teach at a flagship state university that’s generally considered one tier below the Public Ivies. Broadly speaking, it’s not as academically rigorous as an SA. Now add the distinct demands of SAs, beyond classes, and you can see how the culture shock can be multiplied.
 
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jbm2m said:
Also, though not entirely apples to apples (or tomatoes to tomatoes) here…. My daughter skipped a grade in elementary school, so she will be younger entering an SA (if she’s fortunate enough to gain an appointment). There were some growing pains there… while, academically, everything has been consistently stellar, she had to grow up/mature very quickly over the last year. She did it but it was difficult, and not without some hiccups. We’re talking high school here. While you might be able to handle the academics entering college as a 14-15 year old, the maturity and development that will happen amongst your peers over the next two years can’t be understated. Look at dual enrollment, beef up your leadership, play some sports, and really prep for your standardized testing!
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Yeah, I can get that. When I was in 1st grade I was moved to 6th Grade, completed Algebra 1, middle school English, basic middle school science, etc, and while I performed fine academically, I got reassigned back to my old cohort, likely for social problems, which happen anyways, keep in mind I' autistic, I just happen to br a great public speaker. Anyways, thanks for your reply, and have a good day.
 
MidCakePa said:
Plenty of great advice here. I’ll add this, from the perspective of a college professor:

Each year, I have several students who “breezed” through high school. They got stellar grades. Many took very difficult classes. A few graduated early or did dual enrollment. And yet, once at a four-year college, they struggle. Some struggle mightily — getting Cs and DS for the first time — and are flummoxed by this outcome.

My conclusion, after speaking with them: They didn’t anticipate and/or weren’t ready for the significant jump in rigor. Whether it’s the more-challenging material, the faster pace, the decreased hand-holding, the many distractions — all can conspire to sink the most accomplished high-school grads.

Sadly, many don’t know how to study effectively — because they never had to. Many don’t know how to ask for help or deal with setbacks — because they never had to. Generally speaking, high-school classes are mainly about memorization. They have fairly lax standards for what constitutes outstanding work. And they’re regimented in a way that keeps students on track. I’m not trying to make a blanket indictment — there are exceptions. But my conclusion is drawn from observation of the end-products and their own recollection of what high school was like.

So sticking around for all four years, and taking classes that are more demanding, more precise, more rigorous, can reduce the culture shock of college academics. If those classes aren’t available at the high school, perhaps they can be accessed at a nearby college. In any case, flying through high school is not necessarily an indicator of readiness for college. I counsel caution and care if looking to graduate early.

P.S. I teach at a flagship state university that’s generally considered one tier below the Public Ivies. Broadly speaking, it’s not as academically rigorous as an SA. Now add the distinct demands of SAs, beyond classes, and you can see how the culture shock can be multiplied.
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I can definitely see where you are coming from, you pretty much described my school experience. To date, I have never once studied for a test(besides completing the mandatory study guides and turning them in), yet the lowest score I've ever gotten is an 89. I alreadyftake AP classes, ND am scheduled to take 5 AP classes next year, plus dual credit with our local community college. I, like most people, can definitely be lazy at times, for example, I just don't do homework. I finish it in the time provided or I don't finish it at all. That's not including projects though, but even with that mindset , my lowest grade was a 96, and I only missed 2 assignments. I have however been told by teachers that upon reaching college I will probably struggle or even fail because I'm too proud to study or ask for help. It's not really that I' too proud, I just have never needed to. Thanks for the advice thou gh, you all have helped a lot, I have pretty much made my decision. I asked my friends, and they all said that I should leave early, but that's probably because they are all high schoolers too, and don't appreciate it til it's gone, if at all. I was more leaning towards staying all 4 years anyways, but now I'm wholly decided. If I regret it, I can still graduate next year, when I will be 17. Thanks again, C/1LT Brock
 
WingsofBlue19 said:
Yeah, I can get that. When I was in 1st grade I was moved to 6th Grade, completed Algebra 1, middle school English, basic middle school science, etc, and while I performed fine academically, I got reassigned back to my old cohort, likely for social problems, which happen anyways, keep in mind I' autistic, I just happen to br a great public speaker. Anyways, thanks for your reply, and have a good day.
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You may want to review the medical qualification requirements for academies and ROTC before making decisions based on going on to do those programs. https://www.academyadmissions.com/requirements/medical/disqualifications/
 
WingsofBlue19 said:
Oh I get you. I already did. I'm in the clear. Even if the requirements change, I'll still be fine. They'll never have to know.
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When they find out and ask you why it wasn’t in your application, tell them you determined they didn’t have to know.
 
For OP, I have the same question as @Stealth81.

People entering the military all complete a medical accession exam using the form below or similar to document medical history. The applicant certifies and signs the information is correct and complete.


The high school guidance counselor completes a form sent directly to the service academy documenting IEP, accommodations, any medication required, any other conditions known to the school related to neuro issues..

The rigor of the medical accession standard is not meant personally. The military operates in remote, harsh, dangerous, high-pressure situations often far from advanced medical care. The safety of the unit is everything; People coming into the military must be as minimally vulnerable as possible, for the safety, clear communications, and maximum operational capability of the unit.
 
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