Early Admission, College

Early admissions to college or university (also known as early entrance) is a rare but highly effective educational strategy for many gifted students. Rooted theoretically in the areas of learning and achievement motivation, the practice assumes that gifted students will develop their intellectual capabilities more fully when they are presented with tasks that match or slightly exceed their capabilities. Early entrance allows students to enroll in an institution of higher education from 1 to 4 years earlier than their age-mates and to proceed through curricula at a pace consistent with their intellectual abilities rather than their chronological age. This practice can minimize the boredom many gifted students experience in the secondary environment and thereby increase self-confidence, promote self-efficacy, and encourage the expression of talent and ...