<p>@Dudewheresmycar: I wholeheartedly agree with you on all of that. Being realistic is not only a beneficial perspective but necessary when your chances of making schools like the ones I’ve mentioned is low (to say the least). But why not try? Why not sacrifice the social amenities I take for granted now, discipline myself through persistent studying, fight really, really, really hard for what I want, etc? Why not make the most out of this journey? Forgive me if I’m turning a bit personal, but I’ve failed far too many times in high school to count (long-term depression in sophomore and junior year) and, for once, want to be the guy that people in five years look at and think, “wow, that personal really got his **** together.” And honestly? If I don’t make the schools I want, then at least I can say I tried.</p>
<p>The thing is though, optimism/enthusiasm is vital and must be predominant if these schools are really what I’d like to be admitted to. What’s the point of working this hard if I doubt myself? That’s foolish.</p>
<p>Secondly, I know (for a fact) that I can make Georgetown. The community college I’ll be going to offers a guaranteed admissions program into the college.</p>
<p>@brishe: I’ll do some more research on transferring/study abroad on W&M tonight. I’ll also get some research done on other schools and report back.</p>
<p>@BostonCrmPie: Due to the responses I’ve received, I’ll be majorly revising my plans/revisiting my priorities. Thanks for your concerns, means a lot. honestly.</p>
<p>@mcfuggie: the rowing stats-- awesome. gives me something to work towards. I’ll also take into consideration the difficulty of classes I’ll be taking at CC.</p>
<p>I’ll be frank with you all, making an account here and posting a topic has got to be one of the best decisions I’ve made in I’d like to say the past ten months. Thank you all for your honesty, encouragement, and realistic perspectives; it means more than almost anything to me at the moment (since where I’ll be transferring to college has been creating most of my stress as of late). I appreciate all of your perspectives and wish that you continue; over the next two years I’ll keep this topic alive/periodically update to let you know how I’m doing!</p>