Am I studying the SAT's hard for nothing??

<p>Okay, my GPA is a 2.01, rising senior and my best SAT score is a 1640/2400 (1000/1600 for Math + CR) and over this summer I have been studying so hard for the SAT's so I can do well the third time and get an 1800 or an above to help out my terrible GPA. I've been making flashcards like crazy, practicing, going to SAT prep school, parents have been spending their precious money on me so that I do well on the October SAT's, etc. But I have one big worry - Am I doing this all for nothing? Sometimes, all my hopes get wiped out because of my 2.01 gpa, and people have been telling me a community college is my best option. The problem is though, I want to go straight to a 4-year college and then work hard there, then transfer to a better 4-year college. If I declared I want to go community college and basically say, "Screw it. I'm done." then I would not be spending my time studying the SAT's like a horse. I would've given up already and just planned right ahead for community college. But no, I hate giving up, and I really want to get into a 4-year college. I'm really afraid that regardless of my SAT score, no 4-year college university will accept me. Not even in the NYC schools like I'm looking at ... like Long Island, the CUNY's, Stony Brook, St.John's, Pace, New School, etc. So my gpa is a 2.03 with a 1640 SAT score, and I'm just worried and scared. I just hope one of these schools accept me. A 2.01 is barely passing, and I'm sure there's a big difference between a GPA of a 2.01 and a GPA of a .. let's say, 2.4 or 2.5 Seriously, I would have much more breathing room if I had a 2.4 or a 2.5 GPA after looking at the colleges mentioned above. But as of right now, am I completely screwed for a 4-year college? Am I studying for the SAT's so hard for nothing? Please help me, I am desperate. Thank you.</p>

<p>Even though I understand your concern, I wouldn’t let it stress you out too much. Now, i’m pretty sure that all of the prep work you’ve taken for the SAT will pay off, but ultimately, if it doesnt (I know how you feel, I practiced for the SAT over and over and still couldnt get above 1800) you should check out the ACT. The SAT may not be geared towards your learning style. Bascially, look at all of your options and don’t get stuck on only one thing. And never forget, even with your GPA, that’s not the only way people can get into college. It does affect things like merit aid, scholarships, grants, etc., but your scores aren’t the only part of the application. Make sure you write good essays, get great teacher recommendations, have a balanced number of EC’s, etc. Don’t let it get you down. Trust me, if you’re determined, its not for nothing. Good Luck!</p>

<p>possibly i dont know</p>

<p>If you can bring up your grades this upcoming semester, or especially if you have been bringing them up from a much worse start, I don’t see why some school won’t give you a shot. A 2.01 looks much worse if you had all As as a freshman and then crashed, but if you can manage an upward trend they actually see it as a positive sign, especially if you can do very well your senior year. Colleges know that some kids just need a little longer to mature, and so if you get it together by age 17 or 18 they’re a lot more forgiving of a lot of slacking off at 14 and 15. You seem highly motivated to get it together - if you pair good SATs with rising grades and at least one essay conveying your changed attitude, I really think you’d be able to get somewhere to consider you.</p>

<p>That said, I also know of people who, after slacking off all 4 years of high school and only realizing their desire to get a good education after only getting into Community College, got stellar grades and recommendations in their first year there and transferred to a much better school after a year or two. If you’re studying so hard for the SATs because you only want to work for a quick fix, you may be disappointed. But if you’re studying so hard now because you’re now committed to studying so hard in general (which is what it sounds like from your post), keep in mind that starting at Community College is hardly the end of the line - rather, if it’s what you manage for now, it’s a great starting point. They’re a fine safety to back up higher hopes, and while an extra year before entering the college you consider worth attending may seem like an eternity, I promise if it’s all you end up with - which you may not - by the end of a later more successful college career the 1 year will seem to have gone by in a blink.</p>

<p>Good luck! and hang in there!</p>

<p>Don’t come this far to give up now! Sit your but down and take that test, do the apps, and then pray. If you don’t have the money, ask for fee waivers. Trust me, if you don’t try your best now and at least hope, then you may be regretting it for the rest of your life.</p>

<p>P.S.- There is nothing wrong with starting out at a community college. Before i found out about Questbridge, i was looking at CCs because of my financial situation…It doesn’t mean that i’m stupid…just that i’m broke XD</p>