Am I screwed? What are my options

Transfer Students
1

<p>I graduated high school this previous year, class of 2012. As the rest of my classmates spent their time seeking letters of recommendation, writing college essays, and sending off applications, I pursued other interests. Throughout high school my plan had always been to study environmental science. When May came around and I faced the reality that I was graduating without any proper course of action, I decided to enroll at a community college under the engineering program. That's what I've done, and looking forward right now, I'm not sure where I'm headed. I chose engineering because I've always been fond of math and science but lately I've become more fascinated by environmental science - not that it matters, all I have really taken up to this point is core classes. </p>

<p>Living at home and commuting to school does have definite perks, but it also has far more disadvantages, in my opinion. I really have no idea what I want to be doing next year; I really hadn't planned on completing my two-year degree here but that remains to be seen. This school is downright depressing. I've never even visited a college so I can't compare but there is absolutely no social scene to be found, no real extra curriculars, no way to truly meet and interact with someone. The large majority of students here fall into one of three categories (forgive me for generalizing): middle aged, unmotivated highschool dropouts, or students who already have a life established and are just here to get cheap credits. My life has become rather stale. I work part-time and barely go to school; I'm only taking 8 credits this semester. I often find myself with a lot of free time and I just think of all of my high school classmates and how much harder they are working right now. I can see it in my parent's eyes that they are thinking the same thing. </p>

<p>I think the obvious solution would be to transfer schools, but I do have a problem. It's currently March, I'm unsure of what the typical application deadline is for the majority of schools because I've never properly been through this process before. Another issue would be my current transcript. I graduated high school a slacker, with an average GPA (88 is a good approximation). College has been more of the same. I took 12 credits my first semester, I received B+'s in three classes and I outright failed a composition class because of a huge mix-up with my term paper. This semester I am taking three classes, a probability and statistics class, Calculus 1, and a study skills course worth one credit - so consider it two courses. The problem is that I'm failing that study skills course, I'm going to see if I can repair that tomorrow, I don't think it would affect my weighted GPA much but of course it probably looks terrible on a transcript. I'm acing the two math classes. </p>

<p>I don't have the slightest clue what my GPA is because I'm honestly scared to look. My parents disowned me for failing the first class but they finally accepted it after I explained to them that I would not let it happen again. </p>

<p>I've finally found the motivation to excel in whatever I do, but I fear it may be too late to repair the grade in my study skills course. I've always let my lack of direction control my motivation level which in turn causes me to procrastinate but I've made a promise to myself to give my best effort in everything that I do. </p>

<p>I honestly feel like the past two semesters have been a waste for me, other than the math I genuinely haven't learned anything. If I pursue environmental science then most everything I've done has been a waste up to this point and I'm not even certain which credits will transfer. </p>

<p>I need a change in my life, however. Things have grown unsustainably unproductive and and incredibly boring. I'm not entirely sure where I'd like to go to school but if I have a chance of getting accepted I'm willing to do what's necessary to make that happen. </p>

<p>Will colleges want to look at my community college transcript or can I just show them my high school one, which although quite modest, I did not fail any courses other than Spanish my freshman year. I scored an 1850 on the SAT, I really wish I prepared for it because I'm sure I could have done much better with a bit of studying. Should I re-take it? Or would that just seem foolish? I honestly can't think of anything that would make me really stand out as an applicant. I haven't done much which I am proud of. I am however, in the process of receiving a personal training certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine; although totally unrelated to my major of choice, it is quite prestigious and it can be difficult for even an exercise science major to obtain one. </p>

<p>Or do I just have no shot of getting into another school and perhaps I should just drop out or stay where I am? If you managed to read this far down I truly appreciate your time. Thanks for any help you may provide.</p>

2

<p>Did I post this in the wrong forum? Bump…</p>

3

<p>it’s one of those tl;dr situations man…provide some cliffs…</p>

4

<p>Haha yeah I guess I did ramble on quite a bit.</p>

<p>Cliffs: Graduated high school last year with GPA of around 87; 1850 on the SAT. Been going to community college this year, right now is my second semester. Got three B+'s and one F last semester because of some BS on a term paper. </p>

<p>Only taking three classes this semester, calc 1, statistics, and a study skills class. I’m acing the two math classes and failing the study skills class right now and tomorrow is my last class cause it’s a half-semester course. I don’t know if I’ll be able to pass it, it is only worth 1 credit though.</p>

<p>I’m looking to transfer but I don’t know if colleges will accept me. I don’t know what my weighted GPA is here but it looks like I’ve failed two courses. Can I just disregard college and send my high school transcript? I don’t even care about the credits transferring, I’ve honestly only taken one course here that is useful. </p>

<p>So basically I have a bad community college transcript and a mediocre high school one with a decent SAT score. Nothing good I can write about myself in the application, I’m about to receive a personal training certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and it’s very hard to acquire. </p>

<p>I have no experience with college, what are my chances of being accepted anywhere? Can be a state school or equivalent, whatever. Anything is better than my experience with community college.</p>

5

<p>I think you know the answer to your questions:</p>

<p>You’re only ‘screwed’ at 19 yo if you continue on this path and don’t start working harder. </p>

<p>If you have been take core courses, then they are not a waste and will transfer.</p>

<p>No one here can tell you if you can transfer to your IS public, see an advisor at your CC, they will be able to tell you what you need to do; this may include retaking the failed courses.</p>

<p>No, you can’t disregard your college work, whenever you apply to a college you are required to send transcripts from any prior college attendance. Colleges verify this information here: </p>

<p>[National</a> Student Clearinghouse](<a href=“http://www.studentclearinghouse.org/]National”>http://www.studentclearinghouse.org/)</p>

<p>It doesn’t matter that you don’t care about the units transfer, you took the courses and must report.</p>

<p>The certification is fine if that’s what you want to do, but it is not academic, so it doesn’t make up for your performance in classes.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the practical reply. I am going to do whatever I can to receive a passing grade in my study skills class. I just don’t see how I can retake that class. When I was withdrawn from composition II this semester after being informed that I failed last semester I was so surprised and upset that I just told the professor I wasn’t going to retake it. Our school doesn’t offer many summer courses, either. </p>

<p>Perhaps I will be bound to this school for another year</p>

7

<p>Provide some stats, OP. What colleges are you looking to transfer into and under what major? Does your community college have articulation agreements with any colleges? </p>

<p>If your community college is in CA; I can definitely help you. From my understanding, a student can retake courses that they failed. It’s called academic renewal by course repetition here. University of California and California State Schools take the higher grade. I’m not sure in your case, obviously. </p>

<p>State schools don’t usually request high school transcripts or SATs if you are transferring from a community college. I recommend that you continue to cultivate your growing interest in environmental science and transfer to a university after you’ve obtained the required amount of credits. </p>

<p>Don’t worry about time you’ve “wasted.” That’s a defeatist way of looking at things. I used to be one of those “unmotivated high school dropouts” (thanks for the shout out) so I am coming from a place of experience when I tell you to either change your environment or learn to accept it. If you don’t like that your school has no social scene, start a club or join one. Be a presence on campus. You’re going to need the extra-curricular activities for your applications anyway so DO SOMETHING. </p>

<p>Also, make an appointment in the counseling office and get to know your representatives in any form of associated government/student council. Do something, do something, do something.</p>

8

<p>You’re not screwed at all. You’ve only been in school for a year, and aside from failing one class, you’re grades have been decent. You actually sound like me a little bit, except I’ve been in school for 3 years… </p>

<p>Anyway, retake the class you failed. The F you got will still show in your transcript, but it won’t be counted in your GPA. You said you’re interested in environmental sciences, so find a school you want to transfer into, find the major you want and look at their requirements. Take equivalent courses at your school that will transfer, and do well in them. You’re probably not gonna be able to transfer now because you’re gonna need another semester or two to get your grades up. </p>

<p>It takes a lot of planning and research to transfer smoothly and successfully, so get on it. You’re far from screwed</p>

9

<p>How do you fail a course called “study skills?” If you’re failing “study skills,” then that course is more important for you than any of the others.</p>

<p>With a 2.48 GPA, I don’t see you transferring anywhere for a while, which nullifies the SAT. Work harder and transfer as a junior.</p>

10

<p>I must say that I am impressed with your writing skills, your thoughtful evaluation of your situation and your perspective of your life. I would not consider any of this time wasted, as it has brought you to where you are now. You seek change and can see what you might enjoy and how you might be successful. What better place is there, than where you are now, at this crossroads of possibility? Instead of comparing yourself to others who are on a different path, look at how far you’ve come and the maturity you have gained. It is easy to imagine others’ lives and feel you are missing out. Many people are exactly where you are now and they are attending an expensive school with loans and will have to renavigate their own path as well. You are very fortunate to have figured this out inexpensively and I can see you going forward in a new direction. Speak to someone at your school and see if they help you proceed. The people on CC will have some good ideas as well. Be careful to only listen to the advice that will bolster your spirits and your energy! Best wishes to you. You are 19 years old with a full and happy life ahead of you. Think good thoughts and carry on. You are exactly where you are supposed to be!</p>

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<p>How are your ECs? Any awards? On the bright side, 1850 is good SAT score and 88 should be a 3.3~ in H.S. right? :slight_smile: Honestly, work harder and transfer during Junior Year. If you have so much free time, do something productive (such as volunteering with kids or something along those lines) It will definitely enhance your college profile in the future.
Your stats are not so bad. If you really don’t find friends here, don’t worry about it. You can always find a buddy or two as a transfer.</p>

12

<p>Thank you, everyone, for the articulate and kind words!</p>

<p>To answer a few questions, I am failing a study skills course. The proper title is: First Year Seminar, I didn’t want to take it but it’s an intro to college class which most students take their first semester and it is required in most major sequences. All we’ve really done is read a novel and discussed it. We’ve also written a few blogs about our life and just a few basic projects that are worth a grotesque portion of our grade for their true significance (i.e. doing scavenger hunts around campus and writing papers about how we plan to succeed in college). One of my greatest problems through school has been not bothering to do such trivial assignments, regardless of their academic weight. I really enjoy spending my time studying science and learning things about life; unfortunately it’s not always practical and usually ends up poorly for me. There are so many things I just find outright unnecessary in our school system and one of my flaws is being unable to trudge on like the majority of my classmates who just do it for the grade, which I am often less concerned with.</p>

<p>I’m not involved with any EC’s as of now, they are few and far between at this school. Perhaps my greatest regret of highschool is not becoming more involved in clubs and EC’s that I was genuinely interested because of my anxieties and fear of a social stigma. </p>

<p>I have no awards, either. I don’t have a school of choice - I live in Maine. The school I attend, however, resides in New Hampshire and all of the credits earned at this school are guaranteed to transfer to other schools within the state.</p>

13

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<p>While I know you’ve been advised to only listen to uplifting comments, I also think that there is need for some tough love at times.</p>

<p>School, work, many things in life are going to require you to do things you aren’t particularly excited about or which seem unimportant at the time. Part of maturity is dealing with these things and giving them your best (or at least sufficient ;)) effort and focusing on the longer term goals that you want to achieve.</p>

<p>Let me be clear, I’m not advocating ‘selling out’ or spending the majority of your time and effort doing things you’re not interested in, but I can’t think of any pursuit that doesn’t include some degree of drudge work or things that seem trivial.</p>

<p>You obviously have the ability to be successful in college and beyond, now what you need to do is find what interests you and buckle down and do what’s necessary to get there :).</p>

14

<p>My message of listening to advice that bolsters your spirit and energy was never intended to suggest you do not have to work toward goals, by doing some tasks and assignments that are necessary, but was intended to direct you away from the people who will tell you to give up because: (And they will list umpteen reasons why you should not, cannot, or never will) get where you want to go. Steer clear of the gloomy and mean spirited mentalites.</p>

15

<p>Many colleges have rolling admissions. It is not too late to put in a transfer application now for next year, and some schools will even accept you over the summer if there is still room (call or email admissions to find out). If you can’t transfer into a place that you feel is right for you, transfer after another semester or after another year.</p>

<p>You might be stuck at your school for another semester or two, and you might not. However, you will have to have solid performance from here out if you want to transfer, so the time to fix your academic performance is now, as other posters have mentioned.</p>