0.86 Gpa

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I knew that would get your attention, so PLEASE give me some feedback. I always get one or two replies with no real help.</p>

<p>I've posted around here a few times, but some things have changed and I want updated feedback, if you'd be kind enough to help :-)</p>

<p>I flunked out of freshman year with a 0.86. There were a lot of factors... I was diagnosed with depression and an anxiety disorder that year, my parents divorced that year as well. Its not an excuse, I know I should have worked harder (or, worked...period), but if it gives you some context, I was in a lot of pain. So don't be harsh, please.</p>

<p>I was given the option to leave school (I go to a private college prep school) or raise my GPA to a 2.0 in sophomore year. I did the bare minimum, raising it to a 2.17 average.</p>

<p>Because I was recommended by the department chair, I was allowed to take AP Composition in junior year, despite my grades. I finished junior year with a 4.17 average.</p>

<p>Now a senior, I have 2 AP classes (my school only allows us to take 2 AP classes, to take the max of 3 you have to write a letter of intent, get permission from the school board). As of my monthly progress report, I have a 4.37</p>

<p>I made up all failing/D marks through independent study. All of them have become A's. I've researched which schools accept these independent study grades and which one's don't, so I know about that already.</p>

<p>SAT= 2200 </p>

<p>Letters of Rec: Channel One News Mentor, AP Literature Teacher, and probably my newspaper adviser....</p>

<p>My EC's, volunteer service, awards and stuff like that:</p>

<p>JOURNALISM</p>

<p>SCHOOL</p>

<p>Yearbook:
- Editor-in-Chief
- Photographer
- Staff writer
- Design Team
- Yearbook club</p>

<p>Literary magazine
- Editor-in-Chief
- Design Team</p>

<p>Newspaper
- Co-Editor-in-Chief
- Reporter
- Entertainment writer
- Copy editor
- Newspaper club</p>

<p>LOCAL</p>

<p>The Fresno Bee
- 3 editorials published
- Writer, Backtalk (student-written section)
- Volunteer Journalist/Grant writer for a non-profit org (I write press releases)</p>

<p>The Sanger-Herald
- Freelance</p>

<p>NATIONAL</p>

<ul>
<li>Web Editor, Channel One News' Student-Produced Week 2006</li>
</ul>

<p>AWARDS</p>

<ul>
<li>Editorial Writing, Honorable Mention, San Joaquin Valley Scholastic Press Association
(the only contest I've ever entered... I'm planning on entering more this year)</li>
</ul>

<p>WORKSHOPS</p>

<ul>
<li>Writer, Photographer - Central California High School Journalism Workshop at California State University, Fresno (selective)</li>
</ul>

<p>CLUBS</p>

<p>Interact Club</p>

<p>Drama Club
- A Night of One Acts production cast member
- West Side Story stage crew
- Cast member, Neil Simon's "Rumors" (fall production)</p>

<p>Service Club</p>

<p>Campus Ministry Club
- Prayer writer
- Eucharistic Minister
- Lector</p>

<p>Photo Club</p>

<p>Yearbook Club (mentioned this already)</p>

<p>Newspaper Club (mentioned already too)</p>

<p>California Scholarship Federation
- CSF Recycling Volunteer
- CSF English Tutor</p>

<p>VOLUNTEER/SERVICE</p>

<ul>
<li><p>300+ hours</p></li>
<li><p>Teacher, 4th grade, Vacation Bible School</p></li>
<li><p>Leader (rank below teacher), 2nd and 3rd grade, Vacation Bible School</p></li>
<li><p>Dr. Suess Read-A-Thon</p></li>
<li><p>St. Agnes Volunteer</p></li>
<li><p>Library Volunteer (read, puppet shows)</p></li>
<li><p>Various orgs - Catholic Charities, convents, soup kitchens, etc.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>MY PARISH</p>

<ul>
<li>Altar Server since 5th grade</li>
<li><p>Altar Server Leader (12)</p></li>
<li><p>Eucharistic Minister</p></li>
<li><p>Lector</p></li>
<li><p>Catechism Education aide (teacher assistant)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>PERFORMING ARTS</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Drama/Acting/Theatre Class at a performing arts school</p></li>
<li><p>Stage Combat class at a peforming arts school</p></li>
<li><p>Ballet since I was 3 at a performing arts school</p></li>
<li><p>Folklorico dancing since 5th grade at a performing arts school</p></li>
<li><p>Guitar</p></li>
</ul>

<p>AWARDS/HONORS/ETC.</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Editorial writing (mentioned)</p></li>
<li><p>Department Standout Award, English (10)</p></li>
<li><p>California Scholarship Federation (mentioned)</p></li>
<li><p>National Society of High School Scholars</p></li>
<li><p>Teen Press Corps</p></li>
<li><p>Fresno Youth Leadership Institute</p></li>
</ul>

<p>That being said, what are my chances at U Missouri-Columbia (my top choice) and other good journalism schools? Namely, Scripps at Ohio State, and any other j-schools you think I have a shot at</p>

2

<p>If you're in State, I think UColumbia(I live near it) would take you, honestly. I really do man, I really do. I hate having the feeling that you won't be accepted to your first choice- but trust me, Mizzou will defifnately notice such a drastic change.</p>

3

<p>I'm not in state for Missouri - I'm in California.</p>

<p>How much does that change my chances?</p>

4

<p>I think you'll get in. UMC is a great school, I've been there lots of times. I actually think it will help if you're out of state. The majority of MU applicants are from instate and migrate with their classes, but I think beign from CA is going to help you.</p>

5

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>Anyone else?</p>

6

<p>It's hard for me to judge schools becuase I'm a senior too and in the same position, but my question is why Missouri?
I understand that it may be a good journalism school but the midwest, especially missouri, has all of nothing to offer, especially compared to California.
A lot of people would kill to be in your position to get in-state at Cali schools.
If your into journalism (which is also one of my interests and possible majors) I would think California (however maybe not the central valley) would be a great place to persue that dream.</p>

<p>Anyways, you have an impressive extra carricular involvement and I'm sure with your rise in grades, you have a good shot at most schools.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

7

<p>I would like to go to some California schools, but I can't apply to any UC's because they don't take the independent study courses for credit.</p>

<p>I've heard USC is good, and I'd like to go there, but I already know I have no shot.</p>

<p>Mizzou DOES have nothing else to offer besides Journalism (however I've heard good things about their Law), but I'm in love with the campus, the history, the curriculum and all the journalism professors I've talked with (my mom works at a university) have recommended it very highly. I've actually been given a scholarship to attend CSU-Fresno's school to study journalism, but that's kind of my last resort if I don't get in anywhere else.</p>

8

<p>how did you change Ds?</p>

9

<p>D's are not accepted by colleges. My counselor put me through BYU independent study (online) to raise those grades, because I obviously couldn't do it ALL through summer school.</p>

<p>Not all schools accept the BYU courses but some do.</p>

10

<p>Really? </p>

<p>Ds aren't accepted by any college(s)?</p>

11

<p>From what I know, no. I've never heard of schools that accept D's, but each school has its own set of rules, so I don't know for sure. At my school they are accepted to graduate, but most colleges that I know of will dismiss them and not give you credit for that class</p>

12

<p>Im talking about High School classes... lol!</p>

<p>I made Ds in spanish classes! -_-</p>

13

<p>(bump)</p>

<p>Thanks everyone, but I haven't heard anything about Ohio U or <em>other</em> J-schools besides Missouri. I know the top ones, but I don't know which ones I have a shot at.</p>

14

<p>also, good luck applying. you might want to submit a letter to colleges letting them know that you did improved.</p>

15

<p>Thats another question, thanks for bringing that up!</p>

<p>I've heard of people sending in "explanation letters" along with their applications. What is this? Is that an actual thing? Along with my application I just throw in a letter that say "oh by the way...?"</p>

<p>I haven't been able to find out anything about this. Can anyone tell me?</p>

16

<p>You made D's in your HS spanish? I was talking about HS too... I'm pretty sure colleges won't accept that. But I'm not expert as you can see from my 0.86........... :-)</p>

17

<p>I had my share of bad (spanish) teachers, but they are not working at my school anymore because they were fired.</p>

<p>ps.. im not applying to UCs or any top 25 colleges like that</p>

18

<p>I'm applying to HUGE reach colleges just for the hell of it. I've applied and gone out for so many things that I thought I had no shot at, and I've always gotten it. CC just scares people and so do all those statistics sites. There are Harvard students that had a 3.0 in high school. They're some extreme case, but they exist.</p>

<p>I'm going into applications expecting a rejection, but it never hurts to try.</p>

19

<p>Yeah, I'm about to email my admin counselors at Universitys to ask. If they dont take Ds, o well, it's not the end of the world, or is it? </p>

<p>I think I might apply to a reach school using a fee waiver. </p>

<p>It might be the UOC for the hell of it since I can pull together a few dicy essays, lol</p>

20

<p>Thats what I did. I emailed the university admissions and asked if they accepted my independent studies. If they did, I looked in to them. If they didn't, I scratched them off the list.</p>

<p>About your D's: It depends. What are you? Junior? Senior? If you're a senior, its getting late, but not the end yet... You can probably retake it at a community college or look in to an online credit school like BYU (i'm sure there are others, I just don't know about them) but keep in mind that not all schools accept those.</p>

<p>If you're not a senior, take summer school. That works.</p>