Here is an idea if Mr. Wilkins is listening or if someone knows him. He can "clep" or "test" out of classes at a JUCO very easily and get credit for those classes. Not only that, there may be some of his work in HS in Belgium that qualifies as college credit especially if Belgium is like some other foreign countries and has higher standards and tougher classes in high school than the US. He could end up with Sophomore status quicker than people think. I have seen this in action. Someone needs to make sure that the Wilkins' understand that these are distinct possibilities!!!
George -- It's good to see some positive thinking. I know you get blasted often for negative opinions, so I appreciate seeing productive positive thoughts.
CLEP Tests seem to be a great method. I know you're an instructor, so can you give us a little more information on how realistic it is for him to get credit that way?
If Wilkins takes an average 15 credits this semester (though if he's being speedy, he'll probably do 18 credits), can take 2-3 classes this summer (6-9 credits) it would only take a few CLEP tests to get him the credit to have 30 credits by the end of the summer (and therefore, likely be deemed a sophomore). Unfortunately, most of the classes he would CLEP are very intro classes, which he may be enrolled in this semester already.
My guess is that he will do 15-18 this semester, 6-9 credits over the summer, another full load in the fall and be able to sign an LOI in the Spring. Hoping for a Fall LOI is probably a little unrealistic.
In the end though, I don't know that it matters. The Wilkins family has continuously mentioned that they are committed to Bradley, and I have no reason not to believe them, whether he signs in the fall or spring.
See you soon, JW! Can't wait to see you and Sean Harris being around together, with JP and MK being sophomores -- (Not to mention seniors SM, AW, and a whole slew of great juniors) -- it's going to be a stellar 2010-2011!