Many people see graduating from college as a milestone achieved only after completing 4 years of education beyond high school. However, a small number of exceptionally gifted and hard-working students have managed to accomplish this feat while still enrolled in high school.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore whether it‘s feasible to earn a bachelor‘s degree as a high school student, look at inspiring examples, outline key steps to accomplish this, and provide tips to maximize learning opportunities even for those on a traditional path.
Early College Entrance Programs Pave the Way
One route for precocious students to accelerate their education is through early college entrance programs. These allow young teens with proven academic readiness to enroll full-time in college, instead of attending high school.
By taking a full college courseload, early graduates can potentially earn their high school diploma while simultaneously accumulating all the credits for a bachelor‘s degree in their late teens. Gifted education advocates fully support early college options for highly motivated students who require further academic challenges.
For example, the University of Washington‘s Early Entrance Program (UW EEP) enables select students aged 12-14 with advanced intellectual and emotional maturity to enroll as college freshmen. Early entrance scholars then complete their high school requirements at the same time as their university studies.
Over 90% of UW EEP participants have graduated with at least one degree by the time they reached 18 or 19 years old. The program sets students up for a head start on graduate education and careers suited to their abilities.
Multiple Route to Credits Help Students Accelerate
In addition to early college entrance programs specifically designed for young students, high achievers have some other avenues to earn college credits before graduating high school:
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AP and IB courses: Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs allow students to take rigorous, college-level courses and exams across many subjects while in high school. Each exam passed earns credits at most universities.
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CLEP exams: By taking College Level Examination Program tests, students of any age can demonstrate college-level knowledge of a subject and earn credits without completing courses. There are over 30 CLEP exams across history, social sciences, composition, science, math, business, and world languages.
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Dual enrollment: Many high schools coordinate with community colleges so students can take actual college courses that satisfy both high school and college requirements. The Community College Research Center reports that 82% of U.S. public high schools have dual enrollment agreements with colleges.
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Online classes: Enrolling in additional online college courses over the summers or supplementing live classes virtually can help hard-working students reach degree requirements faster.
Enterprising students can combine these credit-earning strategies to accelerate their pace and graduate faster than the typical high school plus 4 years of college timeline.
Extremely Rare But Inspiring Young Graduates
Very few high school students possess the drive, academic preparedness and opportunity to actually complete a full bachelor‘s degree ahead of their peers. Homeschooling arrangements conducive to self-paced learning helps. While a major exception to the norm, some notable cases of early college graduates demonstrate the potential:
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Michael Kearney earned a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of South Alabama at age 10, setting a world record as the youngest college graduate.
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Sho Yano entered college at age 12, and graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Biology from Loyola University at age 15. He went on to earn an M.D. from the University of Chicago at age 21.
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Noel Jett graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Texas Woman’s University by age 17.
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Computing pioneer Admiral Grace Hopper earned her B.A. in Math and Physics from Vassar by age 19 in 1928.
While you may not become the next Doogie Howser rare child prodigy TV doctor, these exceptional real-life graduates demonstrate that age alone should not deter students who are eager and able to take college courses early.
Key Steps Towards a Bachelor‘s Degree in High School
For those interested in graduating early, here is an overview of key steps on the accelerated track:
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Start college classes at 13-14 years old: Try taking community college courses first to get a preview of college academics.
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Enroll full-time in early entrance program around 15 years old: Transition into a bachelor‘s program designed for exceptional young students ready for campus life.
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Take AP classes, CLEP exams, test out of intro courses whenever possible: Reduce redundant classes through alternative credit options.
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Consider online or summer classes to supplement: Additional flexible learning while meeting program requirements.
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Work closely with academic advisors on customized plan: Get expert guidance navigating degree options and transfers for efficient completion.
Not only does this path require above-grade intellectual abilities and academic drive, it also demands a major commitment at an age when peers focus on regular high school activities.
Challenges Faced By Early College Graduates
While earning a bachelor‘s so young can provide career advantages later on, there are some social and emotional challenges faced by early graduates still in their teenage years:
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Missing traditional high school experiences: No lively school events, football games or dances with classmates. Away at college isolates students from teenage social scenes.
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Readiness for advanced coursework: Huge jump from standard high school classes to intense college-level academics. Being intellectually prepared is crucial.
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Potential lack of emotional support:Behavioral and social pressures mount. Still developing adolescents need helpful guidance from family and counselors while taking on so much.
Recognizing these isolation and age-gap issues, some early entrance programs like Simon’s Rock College take measures to foster social integration and provide counseling tailored to young students on an accelerated track.
Prospective early grads and their parents should consider both the academic and personal development trade-offs before rushing towards a bachelor‘s diploma that makes students stand out for the wrong reasons later.
Tips to Make the Most of High School Academics
While very few students will realistically earn a full bachelor‘s degree in high school, almost any motivated teenager can find ways to enrich their learning, demonstrate college-readiness, and get a head start on credits.
Here are tips for maximizing academic opportunities even without graduating early:
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Take AP and honors courses: Challenge yourself with advanced material and quality instruction. Strong exam scores reflect higher aptitude to colleges.
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Attend summer academic programs: Short specialty campus experiences let you sample college majors and strengthen applications.
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Dual enroll at a community college: Master college 101-level content at low costs in a supportive transition environment nearby.
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Research early entrance programs: Even without fully committing to accelerate 4 years of college, explore special admission policies at certain schools for younger applicants demonstrating exceptional ability and maturity.
The key is crafting an enriching academic plan aligned with your abilities and interests. Consult with school guidance counselors as early as freshman year to make the most of high school instead of just coasting by senior year.
Conclusion: An Extremely Rare Feat, But Possible
While graduating high school with a full bachelor’s degree is extremely unusual, a small number of exceptionally gifted students have proven it‘s possible.
For motivated teens with high test scores and intellectual stamina, early college entrance programs, AP credits, CLEP exams, dual enrollment classes, and summer courses can all accelerate their undergraduate degree progress by age 18 or 19.
However, important social trade-offs come with skipping too many adolescent milestones by graduating college extremely early. Counselors advise balancing accelerated academics with activities that develop emotional intelligence and age-appropriate life skills.
Ultimately, all students can find ways to enrich their learning rather than just cruise through senior year. But only unusually advanced students will manage the herculean feat of earning a complete bachelor‘s degree while still enrolled in high school.