Get into University without High School Diploma

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of gaining admission to a university without a high school diploma. Participants explore various pathways, requirements, and experiences related to this topic, including the credibility of institutions and alternative qualifications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about legitimate universities that accept students without a high school diploma, emphasizing the need for recognized institutions.
  • Another suggests contacting university admissions offices to discuss potential pathways to demonstrate capability for university-level work.
  • A participant mentions Reed College as an example of a school that may admit students without a high school diploma, but notes the expectation of high test scores.
  • Concerns are raised about the quality of certain universities, particularly those accredited on Native American reservations, with some participants expressing skepticism about their legitimacy.
  • It is noted that some private universities may not require a high school diploma, but applicants need strong qualifications or justifications.
  • A participant shares their experience of finding selective universities that do not require a diploma or GED, citing MIT as an example, while also suggesting that obtaining a GED could enhance one's application.
  • One participant expresses frustration about the difficulty of gaining admission to competitive universities like USC, Rice, or UT without a diploma.
  • Another defends the original inquiry, arguing that the context of the applicant's situation is unknown and that the question is valid regardless of the competitiveness of the colleges mentioned.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the topic, with no consensus on the best approach or the validity of certain institutions. Some agree that obtaining a GED may be beneficial, while others emphasize the potential for admission without one.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various universities and their admission policies, but there is no detailed discussion of specific requirements or processes, leaving some assumptions and conditions unaddressed.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals seeking admission to universities without a high school diploma, educators, and admissions counselors may find this discussion relevant.

Teegvin
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Does anyone know of any way to get into university without a high school diploma?

I'm not talking about an online distance university that is only accredited on some indian reserve no one has ever heard of. I'm looking for a real university, with real professors, with a real physics department, on a real campus, that grants real degrees.
 
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My advice would be to contact the admissions office of the university that you are interested in, explain your situation to them, and ask whether they have any procedure by which you can demonstrate that you are capable of doing university-level work (e.g. by examination).
 
Reed College (in Portland, Oregon), a really excellent liberal arts college, I know will admit students without highs school diplomas- of course, they expect top test grades, etc.

(And, by the way, I don't much like your knock on Indians. University of New Delhi, for example, is highly thought of!)

Unless you can prove you are a genius I would recommend taking the time to get a GED.
 
HallsofIvy said:
(And, by the way, I don't much like your knock on Indians. University of New Delhi, for example, is highly thought of!)
LOL, he was referring to Native American reservation universities, not Indian universities.
 
Manchot said:
LOL, he was referring to Native American reservation universities, not Indian universities.

Yes, I was referring to 'universities' that are accredited on reserves for some reason or another, and so they sell degrees to people with no real qualifications.
 
I think quite a few private universities don't require you to have a high school diploma to get accepted or apply. But you better have a good excuse, and some really good qualifications, that is if you want to get into a good college.
 
I was in a similar situation before I got my GED. I found that some of the more selective universities didn't require a HS diploma or GED, and I presume this is because they have so many other requirements and high standards. For instance, MIT doesn't require a HS diploma or GED, but anyone without the equivalent of a HS education has no real chance of being accepted anyway. It was the local colleges that required a high school diploma or GED, and that was usually the only requirement.

Getting your GED may still be worth it for you, whatever you decide to do. Any extra show of commitment and accomplishment could only help, and your scores could possibly make up somewhat for any deficiencies in your transcript (in the US, the scores provide a national 'class' ranking, ex. top 5% nationally). The GED teachers may also be willing to provide recommendations, which, if you don't have any from your HS or other teachers, would be better than nothing.
The test was a breeze for me. You may want to at least go take the first round of pretests to see where you are. They have classes to help you prepare if you need or want them. And you may end up acing the pretests and moving straight ahead to the real one. :smile:
 
I'm having hell trying to get into USC,Rice, or UT.

Without a diploma...hahahahahaha!
 
There's no need to ridicule the question was valid, and we don't know the context of the situation, the person never said they wanted to get into a very competative college such as Rice.
 

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