GED vs HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA | should I drop out of high school in 2020?
What is a high school diploma?
The traditional diploma you receive after finishing a high school program is called a high school diploma. Students will need to earn credits through taking courses in general subjects like English, science, and math, though the specific requirements frequently vary by state. For four years, full-time attendance at school is required for students to pass their courses and graduate.
The completion of a high school diploma requires the following:
Although some students may complete the requirements for their high school diploma more quickly, the process typically takes four years.
What is a GED?
Alternatives to the traditional high school diploma include the General Educational Development (GED) program. For those who dropped out of high school early, a GED is a fantastic option. Students with additional obligations, such as a full-time job or a family to support, may also find it helpful.
Earning a GED requires the following:
Being able to pursue a GED at any point in your life is one of its benefits. You can complete your GED at any age, even if you graduated from high school a long time ago.
Differences between a GED and high school diploma
The GED is a high school equivalency diploma and works in the same way as a high school diploma when used to apply for jobs or colleges. However, there are differences between the two. You can choose the right one for you by knowing the differences between a GED and a high school diploma. A GED and a high school diploma differ primarily in the following ways:
Educational requirements
The educational prerequisites are one of the biggest distinctions between a GED and a high school diploma. Students must frequently fulfill certain coursework requirements in high schools in order to graduate. Students are expected to complete coursework in subjects like social studies, science, mathematics, language arts, and history, though the specific requirements vary from state to state. Some students may also choose electives to fulfill their credit requirements, enabling them to receive credit while starting to develop professional skills.
Even though there are no specific course requirements for obtaining a GED, many students opt to take a test preparation course before taking the test. This preparation is crucial, especially for GED candidates who have been away from the classroom for a while, as the GED exam contains test questions from the same subjects that high school students study.
Testing requirements
Although it takes less time to complete the GED, that does not necessarily mean it is simpler. Exams in every class are frequently required for high school students to earn the grades they need to graduate. They can use tutoring to learn challenging material and ask for extra credit to make up for lower grades.
Candidates for the GED must pass four exams in order to graduate. These tests demonstrate the lessons they would have learned in a conventional high school program and cover math reasoning, science, language arts, and social studies. Questions on multiple-choice, long-form, and extended essays can be found on the GED exam.
Although some GED candidates will boost their test-taking abilities with practice exams, there are typically fewer chances to make up for poor test scores. However, if a GED candidate doesn’t score at least 60%, they are qualified to retake the exam up to three times annually.
Experience
Each type of educational opportunity comes with a different experience. People who decide to earn their high school diploma have the chance to engage in school activities beyond the classroom. Through clubs and organizations at school, they can take part in educational activities, make friends, and explore their interests and hobbies.
In contrast, their experience is entirely academic because GED coursework is primarily focused on preparing for the GED exam.
How to choose between a GED and high school diploma
The steps listed below will help you determine whether a high school diploma or a GED is best for you:
1. Consider where you are academically
It may be beneficial to think about your academic performance thus far. If you graduated from high school a long time ago, you might not be able to enroll in classes again, so getting a GED is a better choice. However, if you are close to graduating from high school and have already finished a few years of school, it might make sense to finish your diploma. Studying for the GED can take many months. Depending on where you are in high school, you might just be able to finish in the same amount of time and receive your diploma.
2. Take your schedule and other responsibilities into account
It takes four years of full-time study with regular attendance to earn a high school diploma. This schedule does not work for everyone. It can be challenging to complete the requirements for a high school diploma due to outside influences like a full-time job, family obligations, or financial worries.
While preparation and study are necessary for earning a GED, multiple classes are not required. You can choose the program that’s best for you based on your schedule and ability to fulfill these requirements.
3. Think of your career goals
Taking into account your career objectives can be helpful when deciding whether a GED or high school diploma is best for you. While some colleges will accept a GED as a substitute for a high school diploma, others may insist on a real diploma, To help you make a decision, take into account your career goals and the corresponding academic requirements.
Additionally, a high school diploma provides the opportunity to learn vital life skills. Students have the chance to develop their problem-solving, teamwork, organization, and project management skills in high school.
Each of these abilities can be applied to a college program or career and can increase a candidate’s competitiveness. You can look for volunteer opportunities while completing a GED program to gain equivalent abilities and experiences.
4. Do your research
Knowing the prerequisites is crucial whether you decide to pursue a high school diploma or a GED. Do some research to learn more about the requirements for each type of degree. It can be helpful to get in touch with an admissions office if you want to attend a particular university or pursue a particular career to learn more about the requirements for applications. Additionally, you can look into the minimal educational requirements for any career paths you are interested in pursuing.
Can you apply for college with a GED or high school diploma?
Earning a GED does not disqualify you from entering colleges, despite the fact that a high school diploma is the typical path to higher education. Today, a lot of colleges view a GED as being equivalent to a high school diploma. However, GED candidates might need to take part in community activities and volunteer work to compete with other candidates who might have more experience for their resumes. In order to compete with other applicants, people with a GED might also require better ACT/SAT scores and letters of recommendation.
Examining the specific admission requirements of the program you’re applying to can also be helpful. Knowing the requirements for your specific goals is crucial because every program is different.
FAQ
Is the GED harder than high school diploma?
The GED is not harder than high school. Some might argue that because it only covers four subjects, it is simpler. However, this depends on your strengths.
Is a GED and a diploma the same thing?
An equivalent of a high school diploma is the GED (General Educational Development) diploma. Therefore, a GED and a High School Diploma are equivalent in theory.
What are the disadvantages of getting a GED?
- Sometimes, a GED is not treated with the same respect as a high school diploma.
- With a GED, entering college is more difficult.
- Finding a job in the US is more difficult if you have a GED.
- A GED makes it more difficult to be accepted for military service.
