Are there possibly any schools I could get into?

Applying to College
1

<p>My GPA is 1.78, I'm currently an 11th grader.</p>

<p>During my PSAT, I scored above 98% of my age demographic in math and science.</p>

<p>I've been taking enriched math courses, and now AP European History.</p>

<p>I calculated my grades, and even if I got 3.5 GPA per class for this and the next semester (which is the first semester of senior year), I'm still at 2.1 GPA.</p>

<p>I'm already considering other routes I could take once I get out of high school.. I've been intensely studying the stock market, forex, and working on my acting.</p>

<p>I'd still like a college degree.</p>

2

<p>You could probably attend community college for 1-2 years and transfer to a 4 year university.</p>

<p>I know there are others that are much better versed on this than me, so I'll let someone with more knowledge answer with more info.</p>

3

<p>Obviously, while you have had some problems with academics, you are intelligent. What has been your problem with school? I have met lots of kids through the years who are very smart but don't do well in school. There are lots of reasons for that, though, and my suggestions would vary depending on the particular reason for underperforming. A little more insight, please!</p>

4

<p>You can look into your local community colleges--most will accept basically any high school graduate, and if you do well there you can easily transfer to a state school after two years to finish your bachelor's degree.</p>

5

<p>I've had some bad influences (mostly drugs), family problems (we run a restaurant), and mostly I've been lacking motivation to do any homework, but I always excelled in major tests.</p>

<p>Today I received my semester grade, and right now it feels like my heart has been ripped out. I probably can't even comprehend how disappointed and broken hearted my parents will be.</p>

<p>Really need a way out of this.</p>

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<p>Community college, then transfer, methinks.</p>

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<p>I think your best bet would be to try to get away from home for college. It sounds like you need to get out of your present surroundings in order to get a fresh start. I would suggest looking at small state schools in your own state --- not ones that are especially selective, and NOT ones that are widely known as "party schools." I would try to stay away from a community college, if I were you, simply because you should leave home if possible.</p>

<p>Focus on finding a school that is small enough to care about its students as individuals. In my state (MI), there are numerous state schools of all sizes & selectivity. The mission of state schools is different from that of many private schools, in that they exist to educate the students of that state. There are bound to be some in your state that are not particularly selective ... but that doesn't mean that the education is bad.</p>

<p>There may also be some private schools that would admit you, but I am not familiar with any. Others may have ideas. What area of the country are you from?</p>

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<p>I'm from Ohio, and I hope you don't stop giving me advices because we're in rival states..</p>

<p>Could you tell me why it should be in my own state, and how I would go about searching for the school fits my "needs?"</p>

<p>I really appreciate you taking your time to help me out here.</p>

9

<p>If it really is your family that is causing you problems, I agree it is best to try and find a small school with very low admission standards at which you can board. Kelsmom suggested in-state, b/c it will be easier for you to gain admission to these colleges if they are public schools in your hometown.</p>

<p>If you feel that living with your family is not what is causing problems, I highly suggest going to a CC for two years. Many, many smart kids do this. Plus, once you transfer, graduate, and apply for jobs, all employers see is the uni you spent your last two years in. The CC is erased from your record. Some schools also have very attractive policies for admitting students. For example, if you attend a CC in VA, UVa (an extremely prestigious and great school) must admit you if you have maintained a 3.5 GPA. Alternatively, you could get a job and pay for an apartment to live in while you attend CC. But I say this warily, because if you are already struggling academically, the rigors of work and rent might be too much, too fast. They would be even for kids who were straight A students, I think! Again, it depends on how much you feel your family situation has affected you.</p>

<p>I would look into other causes for your poor performance. Depression? Anxiety? ADD/ADHD? Maybe you need to work for a year or two to become "motivated"...this is true for many kids, who after experiencing the working world without a college degree, are motivated to go back to school and do well. Also, you may want to spend a year volunteering with Americorp or something of that nature. </p>

<p>Good luck. HS isn't all that important in the grand scheme of things. What is important is that you pull yourself together and become a responsible adult. The mistakes/problems you had in HS may feel like a death sentence now, but the truth is, it's barely a blip in your life. Continue to use highschool to learn good study habits and more about the world...and then go on to CC or a small uni and transfer...and in 2 yrs you will be on the same playing field as those people with 4.0s ;).</p>

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<p>You could try attending a satellite campus of Ohio State (Some have admit rates of 99 or 100%, according to collegeboard)</p>

<p>I do know that in Penn State you can transfer out of a satellite campus to the main campus after a year or so. I'm not sure what the stipulations are for Ohio State.</p>

<p>If you can get your GPA to above a 2.0, Ohio University may also be an option as a reach. Especially if you test extremely well on the SAT's, and write good essays.</p>

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<p>hey fellow Ohio-an. OSU has branches in Mansfield, Lima, and uh some other cities. go to one of those for a year (they take every OH resident), prove yourself at the branch, and then transfer to Columbus :)</p>

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<p>Could you tell me how a satellite campus works?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>And thanks a lot to groovinhard, and I don't think my family is the majority of the problem. It's just that I had a lot of responsiblities taking care of my new born brother, because my parents were out working. I'm seriously considering CC right now, but it's only my first day of researching.</p>

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<p>The branches are also cheaper.</p>

14

<p>consider a year of volunteering in a program away from home -- Americorps?</p>

<p>I am also thinking that living at home is exacerbating the problem if not causing it.</p>

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<p>same app as Columbus, just mark the city/cities you want. Mansfield has housing, some don't...um that's about all i know. </p>

<p>osu.edu</p>

<p>Go Bucks!</p>

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<p>I live in Columbus.</p>

<p>Looking at osu.edu right now..</p>

17

<p>Deliveryman,</p>

<p>I'm another Ohioian, so maybe I can offer some help. OSU's regional campuses accept any Ohio resident who is a high school graduate, irrespective of factors like GPA. In order to be admitted, you need to apply using the regular OSU app (online or in paper) and check off the campus(es) you want to apply to. Since it's open enrollment and rolling admissions, you can apply any time you want. Fall term is traditionally the "hardest" to get in to, but you shouldn't have too much of a problem with the regional campuses. I'm not sure if they cap enrollment, so if you do apply, apply early (as a junior, you have plenty of time). Based on your test scores, you might even qualify for financial aid. If you want to know more, check out osu.edu and look for the regional campus link under future > undergrad. Some campuses have housing, etc., so depending on where you live, you might want to check in to that. Several of their campuses are heavy commuter campuses, too.</p>

<p>If you're looking for another, but similar, route, I suggest Columbus State Community College. This option is taken by a lot of high school grads, and admissions are similarly lax. If you live around the Columbus area, this might be a good choice. Both CSCC and regional branches are cheaper and have easy transfer connections to OSU.</p>

<p>The reason an above poster said stay in Ohio is because if you decide to go to another state, chances are, it's going to be more expensive. States have out of state fees which can be astronomical, so your best chance is stay in state. If money isn't an issue, then of course that doesn't apply.</p>

<p>Good luck. If you need any help, PM me.</p>

<p>Edit:
Another option is Ohio University regional campuses. If you can pull up your GPA to > 2.0, then you will probably qualify to enter one of those campuses (I'm not sure if they also have open enrollment) and get financial aid.</p>

<p>Edit 2:
Many college applications have a specific area that allows you to explain extenuating circumstances, if they exist. While this explanation won't completely "salvage" your GPA, it will provide the college with the needed background info. to look at your application holistically. Regardless of where you apply, I recommend writing on the application, or on an attached form, what problems or circumstances may have contributed to your grades. Be frank (personal problems, family problems, so on) but not too frank (complete slacker, etc.).</p>

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<p>miami u also has satelites in southern OH, don't know too much about them though.</p>

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<p>Just want to let you know that I am not stopping the advice because we are in rival states :)! But the advice that follows mine is great --- nothing to add.</p>

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<p>Wow, so I'm not so hopeless as I thought I was.</p>

<p>What would you think would be a smarter choice, a branch or transferring from a community college? I'd think it has it's own distinctive advantages, instead of "it's all about your personanlity" type of answer...</p>

<p>Also, would it be wise for me to graduate early (I already have the necessary credits, just need to bring up GPA) and then take a branch (if the classes don't follow the high school style), and then get on with my life early?</p>