Being sixteen years old with enough college credits to be considered as a sophomore college student, various questions are presented upon me when I share this aspect of my life. One frequent question is, how smart are you?

Though I consider myself to have an average level of intelligence that would not set me apart from a crowd, something that sets me apart is the fact that I have had the opportunity to study in a school that provides an Early College Program. For those who are not familiarized with this, an Early College Program provides high school students with the ability to take college classes and receive credits that could give them the opportunity to speed up their educational careers.

I started taking college courses at The City College of New York when I was fourteen years old, in my sophomore year of high school. I was initially so distracted by the newfound freedom I had opposed to being stuck in my small high school (and the handsome elder college men) that I truly did not fathom how much I would be appreciative of the opportunity until where I am now; A senior who sooner than later will find herself graduating high school and entering a new college environment with not only experience but the opportunity to graduate at a younger age than my peers.

There are various pros to attending an Early College High School. One positive factor to attending an Early College High School is the amount of ambition that is instilled in you from a young age. While the main goal for most high school students (and their counselors) is simply to graduate high school, early college high schools go beyond that and try to ensure that your main focus is not only to graduate but to also get into a good college. Another positive factor to attending early college high schools is the amount of money that is kept in your pocket. Having the ability to take college courses for free is an extremely beneficial situation, especially when you aren't rich. Although every program is different, I specifically only have had to pay for the books I use for my classes, which is only a $30 dollar fee I receive back at the end of the semester. Due to this, a student could end up saving thousands of dollars by the time they receive their college degree.

Like every program, there are certain negative aspects that have come with being a part of an Early College Program. One negative aspect of being a part of this program is that from a young age I've felt much pressure to decide what I want to pursue in college. Although this is an ongoing issue for many high school students, due to the fact that I will be entering university as a sophomore, I will be required to pick my major much quicker than other individuals my age that are entering as a freshman. Another issue I have had is the work given. Being an early college student, it is expected that you will do the same work that regular college students are doing. College professors do not give you special treatment if you are younger and still taking high school courses. They hold you to a high standard which you are expected to reach if you want to maintain your eligibility in the program. Due to this, you must work harder if you want to maintain good grades, and therefore have less time to slack around and do other activities.

All in all, early college programs provide students with the ability to take initiative and speed up their educational process. Although my experience has been stressful, I have also been surrounded by supportive, thoughtful mentors who provide me with tutors and resources to ensure I will make the most I could out of the program. Although I may have missed out on certain aspects of my high school experience, I know I have gained in building stability and more control over my future.