[New York] [Incoming senior] [17]
So I may have royally screwed myself. At this point I haven’t done anything to apply for colleges, inquires etc… and life is speeding up FAST. My sat score wasnt good at all 1096 and I barley passed a terrible algebra class this year dropping my GPA to about 3.4 although it has been better in the past. I have 3 AP exams all with a score of 4 and have two more this/next year. Something that really scares my is my absolute lack of extracurriculars all I really have is some service at the soup kitchen, some tutoring and NHS. I’m pretty panicked right now are my chances at a decent college dashed or am I just over reacting. Also sorry if I put this in the wrong place I’m new here
ECs are only useful at the most competitive schools. Many/most don’t even consider them so forget about that. Are you in NYC looking at the CUNYs?
I’m thinking about CUNYs and SUNYs as the city is a train ride away. I’ve also thought about colleges in other states as well preferably on the east coast. Also thanks for taking the time to reply to this post
I don’t think you are limited to only community colleges- certainly look at the less selective schools, but you can still get into a 4-year college. Have you looked at Adelphi University?
Wagner
Manhattan College
Manhattanville
Pace
Alfred State SUNY Technology
Wells
Ithaca
New School
NYU Liberal Studies Program
SUNY Oneonta
SUNY Potsdam
I tried to pull out the SUNYs that didn’t fill last year from this list. If you go through this thread you can see colleges that didn’t fill as of 5/1 2016. That tells you that the school will take you with the minimum stats they require. In other words if your stats meet their minimum you can be admitted. Scroll down to find the lists in several entries.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1889549-colleges-with-openings-for-fall-2016-nacac-annual-list-p1.html
I don’t think you’re screwed just yet. As others have said, you probably won’t get into more selective colleges, but your situation doesn’t sound so dire to me that 4-year colleges would be out of the question for you.
Can you retake the SAT, or try the ACT? What does a 1096 equal in the old scale?
What have your parents told you about what they can pay? Pick a couple of places from the list suggested above, and help your parents run the Net Price Calculators at each website. There are plenty of places that will be happy to admit you, but affording those places might be a completely different story.
what are your SAT subscores. There are still many 4 -year options available to you don’t worry. And decent schools too!
A 3.4 isn’t super bad. CC makes it seem that way bc everyone seems to be applying to the top top most competetive schools.
You still have time to take the SAT/ACT again. You have 3 more chances to take the SAT + 3 more chances to take the ACT before applications are due. Start prepping now. Buy or check out a prep book from the library and work through it. Even bringing your score up 50 points can help.
Some colleges you may consider are:
SUNY Plattsburgh
SUNY Oneonta
SUNY Fredonia
SUNY Potsdam
SUNY Buffalo State
SUNY Delhi
Sarah Lawrence
Keuka
PACE
Ithaca
Utica
Elmira
Mercy
Medaille
The New School
Manhattanville
Marymount Manhattan
CUNY Lehman College
CUNY College of Staten Island (has nearly a 100% acceptance rate so if all else fails)
You are lucky to live in a huge state with plenty of options. These are only in-state schools but if you look out of state there are even more options.
Don’t worry about your GPA and work on your SATs while you have time. I am an incoming senior too and trust that most people haven’t started the application process yet either. ECs are only really important to super selective schools but for you I wouldn’t stress it. Good luck you got this! dont give up yet!
Your GPA and SAT score will get you into several SUNY and CUNY schools such as those posted by @lonelymoonlight. You could also add SUNY Oswego and SUNY Brockport to your list. There is nothing wrong with attending a community college, but I would not say that your GPA and SAT score will limit you to that choice.
@Kasier99 You need to calm down first. There are still chances for you to take the SAT in the fall, and your GPA is above the average 3.5. On top of that, you scored 4s on your APs (I only had threes on my APs :(). A three is passing, so you are already above the average. I am sure there will be a lot of colleges out there that would want you. Even if you do get into community college, you can still transfer to a very good university after two years. I have heard of people going into Ivy League from community colleges. That’s not impossible. Believe in yourself! Get that SAT score up!
How much can your parents pay per year? That will have a lot of influence on whether you can go OOS, dorm in a NYS college, or commute. Find out the budget first, then work from there.