Best College Fit/Advice!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Ok, hey everyone. I'm just a high school freshman, but I'm looking to apply for this early college this fall. The school is named Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Money may be an issue, so I would like a back up plan. When I go to Simon's Rock I would be 16 and then transfer as a junior (get an AA) at 18 or could stay there. I know I have time for transfers and everything, but I also wanted to ask you which schools you think would be a good fit. So, can you give me some schools I should look into if Simon's Rock doesn't work and some schools which I may want to transfer to? I will give you some background info of course, :) </p>

<p>I am in Southeastern suburb and my school has almost 3,500 people. I am ranked 299 out of 995. I'm in all honors and one AP class, not one CP class. I should have taken one, I'm like always stressed out. I'm also on the swim team and may join drama club next year. My GPA was a 3.198 last semester, but should be much this semester/next year. I have got some pretty bad teachers this year, which may have hurt my grades. I got a 72% in math and I'm failing now (should be passing now, but she never gives us our grade/never grades anything), but my teacher doesn't teach at all. She gives us homework for the night and then tries to teach us after that, when I'm the only one who does the homework. She knows I try very hard. I think I should have about a 3.3ish-3.4ish after this semester. I know I'll get about a 75% in math. A 69% is failing, anyways.... </p>

<p>I think the time I apply for Simon's Rock my GPA should be about a 3.5-3.6. I would like to be a print journalist, screenwriter and screen actor. I can see myself doing some arts journalism or some reporting. I can also see myself writing for a magazine like Upfront. I also like to do some TV Show critic stuff like FutonCritic/Variety. I haven't had time for it, but I use to know all about the ratings on shows/ the new pilots. I can also see myself working as a screenwriter. I can see myself writing TV Shows mostly and some movies. I'm also a screen actor. I have two agents, but haven't got much here. I also like some Modern Theater, but not Classical. I would love to write and star in my own tv show and freelance for newspapers/magazines. I also very inquisitive and I'm always above and beyond everyone else, in the sense that I can always bring something to the discussion. I may even see myself as a lawyer. But I'm def more of a Language Arts person than Science and Math. </p>

<p>I did like Northwestern's Accel Masters program after Simon's Rock. Here are some other schools I liked: NYU, USC, Sarah Lawrence, Bennington, Chapman, Loyola Marymount, IU- Bloomington, Flagler College, Boston College, SUNY Purchase, UGA, UNC- Chapel Hill,, Yale, Ithaca College, NYCDA, Syracuse, and Kenyon College. I know I cannot go and major in everything, but I really did like Tisch Asia to get a masters for Dramatic Writing/maybe film. </p>

<p>I wrote a lot and thanks if you read it all. I know I'm still very young, but it's sooner if I go to Simon's Rock. I just wanted some advice also. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Why don’t you try and enjoy HS a bit? I mean I didn’t personally enjoy most of it, but there is a lot to learn beyond the classroom. It’s one thing to go after your junior year, but I think you’re jumping the gun here.</p>

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<p>Oh and try to read through what you write…you’re missing a lot of words in your sentences.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice Rex, but I just wanted some choices if Simon’s Rock doesn’t work out. I will apply this fall, so it may be sooner than some think. I just want some good fits and may need a back up plan. But I’m just over high school (lol, I’m just a freshman, btw) and I learn so many things I will never use in my life later on. I would like better teachers and Simon Rock has great teachers as I hear. I also don’t like my school much, but I don’t loathe it. I have friends and stuff, but I want a head start in life. I also don’t want to go to a prep school. :)</p>

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<p>I’m sorry I’m missing stuff, but really that took me like 15-20 minutes to write this whole thing. I put a lot of work into it and I wasn’t going to waste my time editing it for another 10 minutes. If I did it would have to perfect and this is just a thread and don’t care. I’ve seen worse than my typo’s.</p>

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<p>That would be “typos.” :slight_smile: (Sorry - I’m a compulsive editor.)</p>

<p>In many states, you can do “joint enrollment,” taking classes that your HS doesn’t offer at a nearby state college or university to fulfill your HS graduation requirements. In Georgia, it’s paid for by the state’s lottery. It’s a great way to expand your HS options (for instance, take a foreign language unavailable at the HS), but it’s also a good way to get a “sneak preview” of college and begin an early transition to college-level work. Plus, in our state, if you remain in the state university system for college you can double-count your joint enrollment credits for college credit as well as HS requirements.</p>

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<p>I went to high school in Georiga, and a friend of mine from college went to Simon’s Rock for 2 years. She loved it, but it’s definitely college. A pretty good one, at that. You need to make sure you’re ready for college-level work (stuff that’s more difficult than AP/IB classes) before you give that serious consideration. The Advanced Academy of Georgia could also be a good option: [The</a> Advanced Academy of Georgia](<a href=“Advanced Academy”>http://www.advancedacademy.org/). It’s at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton. Coursework there may be a bit easier than it is at Simon’s Rock, it will keep you closer to home, and it’s A LOT cheaper.</p>

<p>I agree with what gadad said, but only to an extent. Be careful with joint-enrollment classes. Many private and out-of-state colleges and universities won’t give you college credit for something that shows up on your high school transcript. Joint enrollment can end up being a huge waste of time unless you’re sure you’re staying in-state. Also, if you have private/OOS aspirations, don’t take classes at community colleges that don’t offer bachelor’s degrees (e.g., Georgia Perimeter) even if it’s not for joint-enrollment. Most top schools don’t accept credit unless the institution offers bachelor’s degrees and the course you took is deemed worthy for transfer credit.</p>

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<p>Thanks gadad. You can only do joint enrollment once your a junior and my guidance counselor was telling me all about it. It is at a community college (Perimeter) which you can take the classes. </p>

<p>Hermes- I agree with you. I really would like to go to a private school and want to get out of GA. But UGA would be the best and cheapest option. I can see that this will only work if I go to UGA. I am going to apply for Simon’s Rock and see what happens. If I would go to the Advanced Academy of Georgia I would have to take the SAT next year and grades will have to go way up.</p>

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<p>bump…</p>

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<p>“I have got some pretty bad teachers this year, which may have hurt my grades.”</p>

<p>Tip: Don’t ever hint at this in any of your college apps, even if it’s true. It can mean instant rejection; adcoms don’t want students who blame others for their shortcomings.</p>

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<p>I’ve heard this before, but how do I give another excuse? My teacher will give us homework and then try to teach us and sometime not teach us. I don’t know how you would say it differently, but I don’t blame her for my grade. It would have been easier if she could actually teach though.</p>

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<p>I’m sorry, but it sounds like you should sit and deal with HS like the rest of us. Quite frankly, your too young, you don’t have a stellar GPA, and you are probably not ready for college. I can understand why you might want to get out of your HS, sounds like an underachieving place. However, these schools are really only meant for those who have achieved most of what is offered at the HS level and are looking for more challenge. From what I’ve read, that’s not exactly you. You sound like your more intent of just skipping out of HS and “moving onto better things so that you dont have to learn about useless things in HS.” well, it’s not useless. HS teaches you how to think, and learn. If you are missing these skills in college, you really won’t excel, especially if your already not excelling…</p>

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<p>Actually Simon’s Rock is different. There are many kids who got in with my GPA and worst. USC has a program which sounds to me like what your talking about. I haven’t done bad in high school, expect for that one math grade. I’m in all honors and one AP class. Some thing in HS are useless, like things in math and science. I will never be a doctor or scientist. I’m also very mature for my age, you can ask anybody. Simon’s Rock is way different than those “other” programs. I have good studying skills, etc. It’s not my fault I ended up with a few bad teachers, but I can deal with it.</p>

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<p>Maybe it is different, but look. By going there, you would be skipping out of A LOT. How do you know what you want to do, you are a freshman! You have just come out of middle school! I’ve always known I wanted to go to business but my major choice has changed from business general, to international business, to finance, and now i know I will be majoring in economics when I go to college. Things change! Anyway, I’m not going to convince you to stay in HS, but I would say look into switching out of your HS if you can. I’ve had plenty of bad teachers, you have to learn to deal with them. “I am mature for my age, you can ask anybody?” lol? anyway, do what you wish, but my advice would be stick through highschool, achieve a lot in HS, get accepted to a prestigious university, mold your life. Simons Bard is not a very good university at all.</p>

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<p>I actually would be doing things that I’m more interested. Everyone I know enjoyed college better and got better grades because they took classes that they like. I’ve known I wanted to be an actor since 6 and have wanted to be a print journalist for a while. I am 99.9% sure that my career field will change. I know I will do something with writing/entertainment. Also, I’ve been out of middle school for almost a year. I also don’t loathe my high school, I’m just read to move on. I have friends and I’m fine, but I’m over high school. No offense- but it doesn’t sound like you know a whole much about Simon’s Rock. Also, the full name is Bard College at Simon’s Rock not “Simons Bard.” Also this thread has nothing to do with high school, just read the title. I’m not trying to be rude, but you kind of pushed me the wrong way. And no it’s not because you said I should stay in high school, but seems like you don’t know much about Simon’s Rock. Thanks for your input!</p>

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<p>I understand that you want to rush through everything, but that’s definitely not the answer. Even if you know what you need to do…just chillax. I’m a junior right not and sometimes it’s not as easy as I thought it would be. So just chill and learn to stick it out. I can almost bet you money that in two years your life will be completely different, and if you stick with plain ol’ boring high school, you’ll be a much better person because of it.</p>

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<p>I do not want to rush through high school. It’s just too hard to explain the Rock, when you don’t know much about it (no offense). It’s different and I think it’s time.</p>

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<p>I have a friend who said he was “over” high school in freshman year; we’re both juniors now at our high school. He considered Simon’s Rock, but I think he’s pretty satisfied that he made the right choice by staying in high school. I think if you give it time, you will be, too.</p>

<p>All of us are tired of high school at some point and wish we could fast forward to college. I had a couple months of that myself, but I’m really glad that I never thought of acting on it. You miss out on so much by fast forwarding through high school–not only academically, but socially, as well. Believe it or not, putting up with cliques or the stereotypical “jock” in the back of your classroom will help you form your character. </p>

<p>Give it a few months. It’s the end of the school year and you’re probably burned out, meaning that college looks refreshing right now. Enjoy the summer and I think you’ll not be as tired of school later as you are right now.</p>

<p>By the way, my friend who considered going to Simon’s Rock is on track to be one of the valedictorians of our class, is being considered for a National Merit scholarship, has nearly perfect ACT scores, and is a successful musician and composer in the area. He’s taken his time in high school to pursue what interests him and become an achiever, and I think you’d be well-served to do the same, as others on this thread have suggested, and apply to the college that’s right for you when you’re a senior.</p>

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<p>From <a href=“http://www.bard.edu/admission/applying/applying.shtml:[/url]”>http://www.bard.edu/admission/applying/applying.shtml:&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>“Candidates seeking admission to Bard before completing secondary school may be accepted if they have an exceptionally strong high school record and the recommendation of a guidance counselor or principal.”</p>

<p>Will this work for you?</p>

20

<p>I really like the school and it’s not that im over high school really. I think I will just apply and see what happens. What is meant to be is meant to be. People who apply for the Rock come from anywhere. One person had a 2.8 GPA and 30k in scholarships, they look more than grades. I will def. listen to some of your advice and will take a break this summer. But I’ve liked this college since last fall. And voss- wrong college. Bard College at Simon’s Rock. I also do not have a bad high school record.</p>