<p>I just joined this site with the hope that someone out there can offer some advice, and hopefully a lot of advice. To really get a sense of what i need advice on im going to have to go into a bit of back story, bare with me. ;-)
I went to a prestigious boarding school (lawrenceville school) and did quite well for the 2 years i was there. Because of family reasons, financial, and my own maturity i left the school on medical leave. I still hold great references at that school. I continued on to a small catholic school in texas due to a free ride, and again did well but hated it (i am a gay, liberal yankee... wasnt the best fit)... i transfered to a public school and within one semester (i was a junior) dropped out. I lost the support of my family prior to enrolling in public high school. The combination of my sexuality and my seeming failure at education was to much.
Thats the back story. AND the worst of it.
I have been in the working world for 2 years now. I am a well reputed gay youth activist, have extra-curricular activities that most kids applying to harvard would kill for. I work more than 60 hours a week as a caregiver and teacher to special needs children. I am an excellent light weight rower and a top notch water polo player. I average roughly 25 hours a week of volunteer involvement, and having glowing references from half a dozen orgs. My Sat scores should be top notch (i have to retake them, its been to long but in the 7th grade i got a 1380 on the old scale)...<br>
Now the question part... I am desperate to go to college. I would have never guessed that i wouldn't be in college now! So what strategy should i take, what schools should i look at, what can i expect or not expect? I have managed to save up enough money to travel to my top 5 schools (i interview well) and apply to roughly 12 schools. my current assumption is that it is going to take a lot of applications and eventually a admin officer will take a chance on me... is that at all accurate? Im sorry my first post is so long, and i really appreciate whatever feedback you may have for me!</p>
<p>
Many (if not most) colleges require either the GED or a high school diploma. If finishing high school is not an option for you, I highly recommend that you look into the [url=<a href="http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/about/About_GED_Testing.htm%5DGED%5B/url">http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/about/About_GED_Testing.htm]GED[/url</a>]. I don't think you'll have a hard time passing.</p>
<p>My other suggestion to you would be to consider [url=<a href="http://www.simons-rock.edu/%5DBard">http://www.simons-rock.edu/]Bard</a> College at Simon's Rock<a href="formerly%20Simon's%20Rock%20College%20of%20Bard">/url</a>. It accepts sophomores and juniors, and I think the school would fit you rather well. With your academics and extracurriculars, I think they would kill to have you. They waive the application fee if you apply by April 15, although they encourage earlier applications.</p>
<p>I hope it works out for you! You sound like an amazing person. :)</p>
<p>I do have my GED. sorry should have specified that.
Ill definitely look into Bard College at Simon's rock, from a quick glance im guessing it probably wont be a fit just on the fact that i am a mature 19yr old (not trying to toot my horn, but i got to be brutally honest right?) and as mature as i know many 16 & 17yr olds can be there is a certain level of 'grow up quick' when you have to pay bills/medical/car and what not that id be afraid id be on a different level.
Although that was a truly great suggestion if i didn't have my GED and wasnt aiming to somehow return to being a 'shining university student' and forget my dark GED past. ;-)</p>
<p>I also just found out after some further reading (im devouring this college stuff, i may become a leading expert of getting into college with a jacked up history), i appear to be too old to go to simons rock, they only take kids directly from 10,11th grade or of that age.</p>
<p>Are you looking for an institution that can give you a full ride, or at least close to one, since you're basically independent?<br>
What are your interests, what do you want to pursue/become?
What state do you live in?</p>
<p>The ride really doesn't matter to me, i sure wouldn't mind one... but to be honest going to a school that i am proud of and love is the more important by far. Ive got a good credit score and i'm sure i can find a loan or two. i have saved up a little over 10 grand as my own personal college fund, i figure ill use it as cannon fodder while the paper work for student loans goes through. There are also a few gay scholarships i am looking into.
Ive been wondering about my ability to get need based scholarships, i wasn't emancipated from my parents (paperwork style) so im technically stuck under their income (200k+) until im 25, am i not? Making very much needed need based aid impossible.
Interests... varied for sure. Im social, creative and i love people, everyone i talk to suggests politics and activism, marketing exec, service industry (just hopefully high level)...
I gravitate towards majors like: poly sci, poly comunications, media, urban studies, cultural studies, bussiness and creative marketing, certain areas of architecture and design. I have an analytical mind and a passion for conversation. I social network like non other.
and i live in texas... and love everything about austin except that UT is near impossible to get into with a GED and there isnt another state school you could pay me to go to. so debt, here i come.</p>
<p>If you are pretty sick at water polo, I suggest you check out some Cali schools, maybe you can get recruited. Try the claremont colleges, they are excellent in what you want to go into.</p>
<p>
Unfortunately, you will most likely be considered a dependent student. FAFSA has fairly strict guidelines for independent</a> student status.</p>
<p>There's a thread about schools</a> known for merit aid, which would be a place to start. US</a> News has a similar list.</p>
<p>Maybe Gallatin at NYU or American? I suggest you post this on the Parents</a> Forum as well. You're more likely to get useful responses.</p>
<p>Warren Wilson College in North Carolina might fit you, and you could potentially qualify for one of their scholarships (they give merit scholarships to incoming students who have shown distinction in one or more of academics, work, and service).</p>
<p>Warren</a> Wilson College</p>
<p>Awesome! Im good at water polo, and definitely starting varsity at most northeastern schools but california is a whole different beast. Water polo is in those kids blood and i havent had the opportunity to get in a pool and play in a over a year. Austin is a little scarce on the water polo, the UT club team is a joke.
I read the merit aid thread, but i dont think im going to qualify... there is nothing too merit worthy about a GED.
I do really like what there is to read on both American and Warren Wilson so its great to see them mentioned. </p>
<p>Is there any way i can legally separate myself from my parents? i guess thats a question for a lawyer and not a college thread. Its just so frustrating to have this gigantic road block be the only interaction they have left me. </p>
<p>could anyone break down what they guess will be a reach, low reach, match, high match thing.... With just a sampling of schools, i know there are tons so just pick some!? such as...
harvard - pipe dream
NYU - high reach
American-reach.
community college- high match. (haha)
I really dont even know where on the chart to look. It would be nice to think i have a snowballs chance in hell at a top tier school, or even a second tier because at that point its worth applying to some and keeping my fingers crossed.... i really have no idea where i stand because of my 'interesting' application.</p>
<p>Are you thinking that you'd like to apply right now for admission this fall?
I'm concerned that you haven't completed the testing process yet (SAT or ACT, SAT subject tests).</p>
<p>No, i realize i missed the deadlines for this fall.
Ill be applying for spring admission optimally, and even more likely the following fall. Im just trying to get an early jump on it so that whatever needs to be done i can get done. Such as college visits, studying... some schools require subject tests so i am probably going to self teach myself english and history.... ridiculously time consuming things like that. Not to keep playing the poor me card, but i have to work every detail out way in advance because i have to take off work (for 2 familys and one company), save up the money (for even something so simple as a test) and make sure that it all goes off flawlessly, im afraid if i get one more flaw on my record im screwed.</p>
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Is there any way i can legally separate myself from my parents? i guess thats a question for a lawyer and not a college thread. Its just so frustrating to have this gigantic road block be the only interaction they have left me.
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<p>You could always go to a CC and transfer. You can't separate from your parents except by getting married, military service, attending graduate school, or a few other things.</p>
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Is there any way i can legally separate myself from my parents?
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</p>
<p>Most schools deliberately make this very difficult. If you're not married or in the military, at many schools you pretty much have to document abuse ("irreconcilable differences" as my undergraduate institution put it). I do know someone who pulled it off, but it was a pretty painful process for her.</p>
<p>I think that's technically called a "professional override" but they are pretty rare.</p>
<p>I think id get married before id delve into any irreconcilable differences... to bad gay marriage isnt legal. and my whole application will look a little crazy if i marry my female roomate but claim my dropping out was because i am gay. haha. </p>
<p>I mentioned it above, but then in my exuberance talked over it... but would anyone break down what they GUESS will be a reach, low reach, match, high match thing.... With just a sampling of schools, i know there are tons so just pick some!? such as...
harvard - pipe dream
NYU - high reach
American-reach.
community college- high match. (haha)
I really dont even know where on the chart to look. It would be nice to think i have a snowballs chance in hell at a top tier school, or even a second tier because at that point its worth applying to some and keeping my fingers crossed.... i really have no idea where i stand because of my 'interesting' application. So a few other opinions to add to my own would really help!</p>
<p>At the UCs, there are people within admissions who work with non-traditional applicants. I think it would be worth your time, since you live in Austin and have an interest in UT, to try to meet with someone like that at the University of Texas.
Here's some homework before your meeting: make sure you have copies of all your transcripts and any testing done so far.</p>
<p>Unfortunatly i dont have any testing. But i will get the transcrips of my fresh/soph year at lawrenceville. and catholic and public. My public school transcript is a disaster because i dropped out slowly and let my grades fall to poop why i did.</p>
<p>If you don't have any test scores SAT, ACT, etc. You have almost no chance anywhere but a community college. </p>
<p>That should be one of the first things you worry about.</p>
<p>i registered a month ago but the soonest one was march 14th... i am taking that one and the the one after in may. i still need to look up the ACT dates, ill do that tonight.</p>