Recent Letter to the ElderWisdomCircle™

SCHOOL: Thinking About Dropping Out of High School
Letter #: 374076
Category: School

Original Letter

Hello, My name is Jared. I am a junior in high school. For a long time I've been contemplating Dropping out, getting my Ged and enrolling in college. I Am 17, and have yet to get Ann drivers license and car due to financial reasons. I do have A job that I plan to use to buy a car and Get through college. In my high school I have classes that are absolutely pointless and will have no impact on my future. I want to be an astronomer, or business owner, or Music producer. Advanced U.S history does not in any way help me in this. I am not allowed to take another math class or science class. If I drop out, I can get another job, which will help get me through college. I'll have enough time to work two jobs. And still have time to study for my ged and I can save up enough to go to college. With my dad being the only provider, there is no way we can afford to send me to college. But I know for a fact my dad will not let me do this, he will get furious of the idea ( he has his ged too however) I have no idea what to do

Elder Response

Jared, I understand the frustration with high school and I dropped out of high school myself (although there was more going on than being bored and frustrated in my case). I worked for a couple years and then managed to go to an Ivy League university, so yes, it can be done. BUT it is harder than the conventional route of graduating from high school.

First, do you test well? There is no extra credit work or credit for class participation and homework with the GED – everything depends on the test scores and you will want to pass with a high score if you are applying to colleges. Also, you can take the test whenever you are ready and they will give you the test results, but you won’t get the actual diploma until your high school class graduates.

Next, how are your SAT scores? Do they exceed the usual cutoff level for the colleges you will apply to? You need to build a case that you are capable of college level work and didn’t drop out of high school because you couldn’t handle the work.

How are your grades? Any disciplinary issues with your school? You will still have to submit school transcripts and a letter of recommendation form at least one teacher.
Working to save money for college is good, but you don’t have to have the money together by the time you are 18. One thing high schools don’t always tell you is that after you are accepted at a university, you can request to defer your admission for a year, which gives you extra time to work. You also don’t have to apply right out of high school. When you are ready to apply please remember to fill out the FAFSA form ( http://fafsa.ed.gov ). It is free and is used by all the universities in the US to determine how much financial aid you qualify for.

Last, you know this will upset your dad a lot. That is something to consider. He will feel like he failed you and he will be embarrassed by all the people who will assume that you dropped out because you are stupid or bad.

Some school districts allow students to take community college classes for dual credit – they count toward your high school diploma and are also college credits. I suggest you look into this option before you make a final decision. Your school counselor and the local community college should be able to tell you if that is an option.

Best Regards,

Nanny-Nan

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