So I decided to talk to my counselor today.

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tl;dr

she says that yea, it's possible that this may be a path for me but she told me to consider the fact that I might not get a job even with a college degree because I still have that GED. Also that I might want to change my major when I go into college and that I probably won't have that option if I had a GED over a HS Diploma. She told me that she really didn't recommend I drop out, instead she recommended I try an accelerated program but because It's not the beginning of the year she says that I should stay in high school for these 2 semesters. After that I would head over to the accelerated program but I really wouldn't be saving any time because I didn't start at the beginning of the year.

Also if I drop out to pursue a GED I would have to take classes for about 6 months I think she said?

Anyways, in the end she really like... brought me down, at least with my idea of being able to get out of high school sooner. She would constantly say "i would not recommend it" persistently. Feels bad man.

I just wish I had someone who has done what I'm trying to do and I mean specifically the field I want to go into. Cecil is the closest since he goes to Digipen for programming and graphic design I think? Even if it really is better for me to stay in high school it really doesn't FEEL like it.

This thread really is what I look forward to when I get home from school. I come home, Feel convinced that one way is right but don't go through with it yet because I still want to research things on my own in case, come home next day, Feel convinced the other way is right and the previous way is wrong for different reasons but I'm still not sure of what to pick because I get a lot of "well ti depends on your situation. So I'm not even sure if I should take any advice from anywhere since this could be life changing and everyone says "Well it depends on your situation". Is it really not possible for the GED route not to be optimal in any situation? This whole situation really makes me feel like I'm alone on the matter because no one seems to be sure about the situation and the closest seems to be me but I'm the one asking for guidance.

Because I still feel unsure I want to ask: Who could give me the best guidance?

OR

How would I go about finding out what to do in my situation.

Not what usually happens or what generally happens or even what might happen. Is this really base on luck that much? Of course at the moment I'm taking the route of High school diploma right now because GED route would not let me choose to change my mind. I'd like to think this is me being proactive. Thinking of of a way to speed things up, to cover my mistakes of messing up and some how salvaging time. If not that then at least me being lazy and trying to find a way out or something. I just want to make a decision and be satisfied with it which isn't really happening.

Is it that It's okay to drop out as long as I have the drive/motivation to pursue college

or that It's not okay to drop out because everything that happens after I drop out is based on luck? Which is it?

Wat do ;_;

Have to take classes ... for a GED? What the fuck? I just walked down to the testing center, signed up, and then a couple weeks later I took the test and then I had a GED...
If you aren't bad at testing, you should do perfectly fine. If you do manage to fail one of the tests, just study what you didn't know (I guess) and you just retake it.

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If you aren't bad at testing, you should do perfectly fine. If you do manage to fail one of the tests, just study what you didn't know (I guess) and you just retake it.

That's what I was thinking if I decided to go through with it but I asked this kid who was dropping out of school Today and he said that they make you take what I assume is GED preparation classes. Counselor told me the same thing. Though the place is at an adult school so maybe thats it? Also I would have to go to the classes at night.

I've never heard of preparation classes. And the test wasn't even difficult enough to make that necessary.

How well do you do on tests? I don't know if you've even mentioned that in this topic.

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How well do you do on tests

Oh. Well I'm usually one of those people that never really study since just looking at the board is enough. It's mainly the fact that I just don't do my work to begin with that was my major thing, not that I did it poorly. I remember Health being the biggest "OH MY GOD GUIZ. THIS SHIT IS IMPOSSIBLE" for everyone. I didn't really do the projects but I got A's on the test and somehow ended up with an A as my final grade. Actually I wish High school revolved around test taking instead of having to do work at home. Thats my major flaw. I suck if I'm not in the right environment. If I'm home I just want to watch TV or go on the internet. Still worried though. Nothing is always certain, usually ;s.

I would rather want to assume that I do BAD on tests. I would not want to go into something as important as that test thinking that I can do it with one arm behind my back. I'm too paranoid to think like that.

Quote from f(._. )z!

I just wish I had someone who has done what I'm trying to do and I mean specifically the field I want to go into. Cecil is the closest since he goes to Digipen for programming and graphic design I think? Even if it really is better for me to stay in high school it really doesn't FEEL like it.

Well, you've seen my art. I studied on my own and gained those artistic skills, which is something you'll definitely need to do. In that aspect, I've done what you're trying to do already. I also was accepted to a Fine Arts program at DigiPen (the one where you learn to create animated movies like Finding Nemo), though I didn't enter into that degree because I find programming more interesting.

My girlfriend however is in the BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) program, and will most likely work for Pixar once she graduates. Most students that graduate from that degree work for Pixar. So, I've done a large portion of what you want to do, and I have a girlfriend that is currently completing what you want to do. I live next to one of the absolute best schools for this sort of field, and know a lot of people attending the college. Based on all of this, I think my word is pretty valuable to take into consideration.

If you aren't convinced, then write down a diagram showing the pros and cons of staying in HS or not.

If your reasoning for dropping out is something like this: "Getting a GED will likely be equivelent to a high school diploma, not limit me, and require much less work."
Then you are taking a risk. It's certainly very possible that a GED will serve you just as well as a high school diploma, but it's also very possible that it won't. Consider a potential employer reviewing your resume in a few years. When they read "GED," will there be other material on your resume to make up for, or otherwise explain why you don't have a diploma, or are they immediately going to think "dropout." There is no long-term benefit to having a GED over a high school diploma, but there is very likely a deficiency. That is why your counselor does not recommend it. What I would recommend, is to suck it up and tough out the rest of your high school years. That way you can go from "The GED might not hurt me" to "The GED won't hurt me" down the road.

If you have difficult circumstances, like living near the poverty level, then maybe your need for a job now might outweigh your need for a diploma and dropping out might do you good. But, if at all possible, stay in school.

To answer your question about luck: yes. Who reads your resume? Who stamps "accepted" on your college application or job application? A human being, like yourself. Maybe you'll get lucky and be the only applicant to whatever you're going for, but if not, what if your competition has all the skills you do, plus a diploma instead of a GED? Maybe the guy with the stamp went the GED route and doesn't think there's any difference, but there's a good chance he has a diploma.

Edit:
I'd also like to agree with the AP credit stuff. I came in to college with 30 AP credits. Most majors require roughly 120-130 credits for graduation, which means I finished a quarter of college in high school. High school can be what you make of it, if you put in the effort.

Also, if you do plan on going to college (at least in Canada), staying in high school is beneficial because of the scholarships you can get. One scholarship I received was basically $2500 dollars just for maintaining 80% in all my core subjects through high school, and there is also a bunch of entrance scholarships you can get that I'm not sure would be applicable to a GED. (You should check on that) If you're not tight on cash, it's not a big deal, but otherwise, scholarships will really help in the long run.
EDIT: Basically what Cecil said. Also, I took AP (advanced placement) for Calculus in high school, and my first two university courses for calculus were basically review, it was such a cinch that I didn't have to work hard to get a good mark.

Ok so I do not know much about anything really. Like all this information and statistics given about GED's and diplomas and stuff but here's my opinion:

Whether you drop out or not, you should at least finish this year of school. Make the best of what you have. Go to class and if you don't understand material and such ask for help. Not from some crummy tutor who is extremely expensive and you dread seeing every week, but a friendly neighbor who you don't know that well or a friend. Make new friends! Just get through the end of the year. Right after being told to "make new friends" the automatic mind response is that "I can't all those people are weird and have none of the same interests of me. This is true in a few cases but MOST OF THE TIME IT ISN'T. Don't just tell yourself that, bring up the will power to actually do something about it. But this is just to help you stay in school until the end of the year.

If you are adamant about dropping out and think that staying in school will be a "waste of time" then you are wrong. There is no such thing as a "waste of time." There are always better things that you can do with time, but never is something a waste. You will get things out of a year of school, good or bad, but good and bad things are part of life. Dropping out of school because you think it will be a "waste of time" to go one extra year means that you will just be working one extra year, not much better than school if you get a bad job. Assuming your family isn't in extreme financial difficulties, then they would probably pay for your expenses and for your living at home if you go to school

School year ends, you followed the advice, then you get a job. Nothing that big but just a small something that makes you a little money. For example, you said you like 3D modeling, you could work at OR START a summer camp. Hard at beginning, but its all downhill once you get it rolling. Do research to help you out. You said you enjoy 3D modeling, so you would probably enjoy this. If you hate kids, you could always get an internship. There are many people out there willing to help, but there are also many people not willing to help.

You can make some cash, your family will probably still support you, and with money your possible choices of a future are extremely bigger. Dropping out can lead to good things and it can lead to bad things. Luck of the draw, to put it in the most general terms. But ask yourself, if you drop out, what is going to change besides you going to school that will make your life SO much better?

Then you could also join the army. The army is a great experience. It is like having a second family. But what will you do afterwards? But not pondering your future and living in the moment is also good, but you don't seem to be full on the whole "carpe diem" thing right now.

Give me your thoughts and I can make changes, but I don't know much about your situation besides the little details you posted.

Have you tried living off welfare or visiting your local soup kitchen?
You could also try the ancient traditions of being incarcerated or personally recycling other peoples waste products.

Dropouts tend to score higher in all these categories.

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Cons:
Financially risky - are you moving out of your house? If so, you'll need a job to pay for your living expenses. This means that you'd be back to about the same amount of free time to study as if you were in highschool, plus the risk of your own finances.

Not planning to move although I would combine this with the scholarship since thats what my diploma or lack of would effect


You lose out on being able to take advanced classes, that look good and help you become accepted into your choice college.

I've been wondering. I'm taking a ton of non serious classes because I need the credits so I'm wondering If I'll be able to take advance classes in my school. Something I'd have to check out.

You miss out on free resources, those resources being your teachers. You can ask your teachers for after class help in advanced topics, or for help on improving on certain; e.g. asking your English teacher on how to improve even more on a particular English assignment, or asking your math teacher about advanced topics.
? Is this referring to if I take online classes? This confuses me.

You can't qualify for a vast majority of scholarships. This is a big deal.
Finances, yep.

You aren't able to attain any college credit from your classes junior or senior year.
Advanced classes right?

I know a GED isn't as preferable for top colleges. Imagine applying to an ivy league school with only a GED and SAT scores -it would be hell of a lot tougher. I know DigiPen looks for things like evidence of persistence, effort, tenacity, and responsibility when allowing students to attend. This is because the school is damn tough, in that you need to love your specific field to graduate, otherwise you drop out due to the course-load. They lose out on money if they allow students in who will drop out.
If I got a diploma I would go for a better school and IF I want for the GED I would apply but I would not expect to get into a great school and I would probably aim for a 'normal' or whatever school.

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Pros:
Less time spent in a class that seems worthless.
That's my thinking yes

Able to experience what it's like to be on your own.
Something I'm dying for

Don't need to wait two more years to heavily step into your field of study, as you can study on your spare time.
I'm not sure. I don't mind having to take GED preparation classes but I would prefer them if I failed but If I have to wait anyway to take a test at a certain date I might as well wait in preparation classes. sigh.

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I just wish I had someone who has done what I'm trying to do and I mean specifically the field I want to go into.

That's my fault because I wasn't clear. I was talking about doing it through GED n such.

I don't think Cecil would mind and I think it might give a better look at 'my situation' though I don't think it would change things. I'm kind of not so interested in the posts telling me about the same things over and over again, especially when I didn't make a decision. I appreciate it of course but I'm learning new things every day about what I'm trying to do and I want to know as much about the information I don't know yet. I think the next step would be contacting a college or something and asking them personally. I tried to get on live chat with the Arts institute but that kind of communication sucks. Takes for ever to get a response.

Anyways:

edit: nvm. I cannot but if Cecil wouldn't mind posting the chat history I had about the whole situation. I talked to him about a lot of this and got more depth about it through MSN. Tomorrow I'll see about posting what I told cecil and my tl;dr of what we talked about.

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If you have difficult circumstances, like living near the poverty level, then maybe your need for a job now might outweigh your need for a diploma and dropping out might do you good. But, if at all possible, stay in school.

I don't think I'm in such a difficult circumstance. It's partly guilt that had me thinking about all this. Guilt relating to my mom having to support me for a while longer because I messed up. I'll go into that another day.

@Raccoon: Um everything you said sounds sort of right but most of it's been stated. :s

Quote from Madzombie

If I got a diploma I would go for a better school and IF I want for the GED I would apply but I would not expect to get into a great school and I would probably aim for a 'normal' or whatever school.

If you're serious about what you want to do, you should try to give yourself the best chances and best opportunity.

Cecil get on MSN as soon as possible. I would like to have another talk, specifically about what you need to get into these colleges regardless. You need a portfolio right? Also I lost all the links you gave me because my msn won't save history because I can't seem to install the latest flash? Meh.