Earning a high school diploma online has a lot of benefits. Students can learn at their own pace, receive a real high school diploma that is recognized by leading colleges and universities, and transfer credits, too.
The perks of pursuing a high school education online go well beyond merely getting a diploma.
How Earning a High School Diploma Online Benefits Students
Online schooling can open doors for graduates. When a student opts to go to high school online, they have the opportunity to:
Earn a High School Degree Faster
Online schools are flexible. Public schools force students into a schedule that is often too slow for some students. When a student understands course material in a public school, they have little opportunity to go on a fast-track through school.
When students go to high school online, they are able to:
- Work on schoolwork at their own pace – whether faster or slower than their peers
- Spend extra time on classes that are difficult
Students still need to meet all state requirements for education, so they’ll have a lot of coursework to go through. The key is that since the work is self-paced, students can complete courses that they’re familiar with more quickly.
Some students will finish their entire year of schoolwork in 3 to 6 months. Rapid graduation isn’t for everyone, but it’s a possibility that traditional high schools do not offer. When a student can complete all four years of high school in two or three years, it gives the student a competitive advantage in life.
Graduating early means:
- Entering college earlier
- Entering the workforce earlier
- Increasing earning capacity
Early graduates also have another benefit that goes overlooked: they stand out from other students.
Attend Top-notch Universities
Students who have the motivation to complete their high school courses early and get a head start on high completing high school fast. Hobbies and sports can help a student get into college, but colleges first and foremost look at academics.
When an applicant is ahead of their peers, it allows them to make a good first impression on their application.
Some programs include:
- Dual enrollment options
- Ability to earn college credits while completing high school
Colleges will look at these credits favorably, especially if the student is able to maintain a high-grade point average when completing college courses.
A lot of universities will not accept applicants that are too young – they’re not equipped for it. However, top-tier colleges often have special programs that allow these gifted students to enter college early.
Bard College in Massachusetts is a prime example of a college that allows applicants between 14 and 16 to apply.
There’s also another key benefit to graduating early: more time on the SATs.
SAT Scores and the Opportunity of Graduating Early
Studies show that the rich have significantly better SAT scores than their peers. There are a lot of factors behind these higher scores, but one of them is that the wealthy take the SATs more times.
When a student is on a fast-track to graduating early, they’re able to:
- Focus on the SATs more
- Take the test multiple times
- Pursue the academic support to get higher SAT scores
AP courses and access to tutors can also help a student increase their SAT scores. When a student has more time to study for the SATs, they can achieve higher scores and focus on trouble areas that impact their scores the most.
Higher scores open up the possibility of scholarships and the opportunity to be accepted into a top-notch university.
Because a student has to be diligent and motivated to graduate high school early, they can use these same traits when studying for the SAT to get a higher score. The jumpstart on college provides a significant career advantage and numerous opportunities for early graduates.
