Lol.
Here is my predicament. . .
I want to attend The French Pastry School in Chicago, but am uneasy when it comes to my 'future'.
My dad always had said that we (his four children) would have to attend a university. I used to want to do that (back when I wanted to be a teacher, and then a lawyer) but then decided "nahh".
I am going to take an exam called the CHSPE. This exam grants a resident of California a HS Proficiency (you must be at least a sophomore in HS or 16 and in HS to take it). Not to being cocky, but I'm going to pass it. (I give all of you CC's permission to laugh at me if I don't 
)
My plan is this:
To apprentice for a few years after my graduation from the School and then open my own pastry shop/bakery/cakery- whatever you desire to call it.
I've always been very business oriented so I know my business will work and that I will get to the point to make more money than my PU's. 
But that's somewhat beside the point. . .
I would still be 15 if I did enroll at the School in the next program offering, which would be in the Summer of '07.
The questions arise:
How in the world do you convince your PU's to let you do this?
I don't want to be living off of my parents after I graduate, but I don't want to be living off a trash can either, will this be possible?
Pretty much. . .
Should I go to college and complete my degree so I can have something to fall back on, or just "take it on"?
Hopefully I didn't bore you and you understand where my problems are. And the reasons behind my uneasiness.
considering there are many excellent culinary programs at both the community/technical college and full 4-year college levels..... (such as Johnson & Wales)
and (showing bias here) speaking as a teacher of 30 years.
get the HS degree and GO TO COLLEGE ... of some sort... one that has a culinary program and at least get an AA (associates degree), better yet and BA -- then you will have even more opportunities such as the French Pastry School (pack VERY warm long-johns for the winter -- went to college in Chi-town so I speak from experience!) or even some place like the CIA (culinary institute of america) or Cordon Bleu.
time to get on the internet and the phone to colleges and see if you could be accepted w/ the HS equivalency degree and what the entrance requirements are.
Good luck in pursing your career
)
I know this is something you have to decide for yourself but I can tell you my experience. I knew I had to graduate from college but had no idea in what. So after flip flopping a few years I settled on Anthropology. Very interesting subject but didn't want to pursue any career in it. Then I got into cake decorating and really loved it but figured I couldn't make a living out of it so I should pursue a "grown up career". (please don't throw cake at me yet. let me finish.) so, I went back to school and got another degree in Sociology. Finished and decided I definatley didn't want a career in that. Now I'm back to cake decorating and have no intention of trying any other career. Now I wish instead of getting two degrees I probably will never use that I coud go to pastry school. So the point of this long story, finally, is I would try the pastry school first since it sounds like you really like it. Then if you decide it wont work at least you'll be able to work in that field to support yourself through school if you decide to get a degree in something else.
I know that you must be excited about your prospects, but I think that if you are planning on running a business no matter what it is you need to take some business courses. In the High School that I work in they offer a business course and the students learn how to run and operate a successful business. If you only learn cake decorating you might not be as successful and will have to depend on an accountant to guide you and hope that they are not stealing from you. Marketing you cakes is a business, advertising, organization skills, professionalism are important to be successful. Why don't you try interning after school for a pastry shop and get some pointers and find out the not so good side of running a business? If it is really your goal and you cann't be talked out of it, then it's meant to be, however if you can be talked out of going, then you don't want it bad enough. I knew when my son was serious about his goal because I threw out all the negative things about his career and he nailed each problem point for point. He did his research to prove that he knew what he wanted. I told him to go for his goal and he did. Good Luck
Have you tried looking into a local community college that has a "bridge" program with your highschool? I know in Orange County they have this program and you can take college courses while in HS. That way by the time you finish HS you will have an AA degree as well. Maybe your parents would like this idea better?
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