This information was produced by the staff of the Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development (B-BC) at the University of Iowa (belinblank.org). The resources and information listed here are for informational purposes; there is no direct or implied endorsement by the B-BC. Services provided by the B-BC include programs for academically talented K-12 and college students, professional development for teachers, the Assessment and Counseling Clinic, the Acceleration Institute (accelerationinstitute.org), and graduate programs and research in gifted education.

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Early Entrance to College: Information and Resources

Information for Parents

Muratori, Michelle. Thinking Through Early Entrance to College

Robinson, Nancy M. Considering the Options: A Guidebook for Investigating Early College Entrance

Gross, Miraca, & Van Vliet, Helen. Radical Acceleration and Early Entry to College: A Review of the Research

Early Entrance to College Programs

Many colleges and universities permit students to enter college early, without a high school diploma. Some universities have special programs that assist young students in making the transition, provide housing, and offer social activities designed for early entrants. Others provide support for the students but do not offer housing. Some of the early entrance programs are listed below:

Bucksbaum Early Entrance Academy at the University of Iowa

Provides top students with a high-level curriculum and research opportunities
Supports students through the transition from high school to university
Integrates STEM and the Arts/Humanities
Capitalizes on the Belin-Blank Center’s expertise in student programming and acceleration

Bard College at Simon’s Rock (Massachusetts).
Bard Early Colleges (Cleveland, New York, New Orleans, Newark). Non-residential.
Boston University Academy. Non-residential.
Bucksbaum Early Entrance Program, University of Iowa.
- Formerly the National Academy of Arts, Science, and Engineering
Cal State LA Early Entrance Program.
Clarkson School (New York).
Early College at Guilford. (North Carolina). Non-residential.
Early Entrance Admissions, North Central College (Chicago).
Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science (Kentucky).
Kansas Academy of Math and Science, Fort Hays State University.
PEG and Early College, Mary Baldwin University (Virginia; females only).
Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities (Texas residents).
Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (Texas residents)
University of Washington Academy
University of Washington Early Entrance Program (EEP)
University Transition Program (UTP) (British Columbia)

Books

Muratori, Michelle (2007). Early Entrance to College. Waco, TX: Prufrock Press.
This comprehensive guide was developed for bright students and their families.

Pagnani, Alexander & Adams, Cheryll M. (2014). Early Entrance to College as an Option for Highly Gifted Adolescents. Washington, DC: National Association for Gifted Children.

Solow, Razel & Rhodes, Celeste. (2012). College at 13: Young, Gifted, and Purposeful. Scottsdale, AZ: Great Potential Press.

Websites and Other Resources

Links to many different research articles and books on the topic.

Early college success stories.

Questions and Answers about Acceleration for Parents

Get Empowered! Check out the 2015 report, A Nation Empowered, which includes a chapter on early entrance to college. See www.nationempowered.org for more information.