I just moved from Florida to a small town in the mid west. I’m finishing out my senior year here.
Ill start by saying that my attendance has never been good. I actually missed more days then I attended. It’s not something I’m proud of, just another bump.
My weighted gpa is a 2.5 and my unweighted is 2.2. Not bad for me considering it was a 1.6 in January. I’ve worked really hard to get out of this rut I dug myself into.
I don’t want to seem snotty but I’m quite brilliant. I strongly believe I am one of those kids that universities hope will come through their doors, someone who thinks out of the box.
In Florida the curriculum is a bit different than the highschool I’m now attending. By the time I graduated middle school I had five highschool credits. By first semester junior year I had failed every class and my attendece was the poorest it’s ever been. Luckily I switched school for the year 2017 and I cannot express my gratitude at how much they helped me. It’s not my comprehension but my lack of motivation that made it difficult. Right before starting highschool, at the end of eigth grade, my father passed after a very long and brutal fight with cancer. It affected me so bad I think I hardly took notice, which might sound strange. It’s something I still struggle with and my family has never been short of dysfunctional. But ever since I was a girl everyone has always noticed how bright I am. Street and book smarts. I grew up in such a big school system that let so many kids like me fall through the cracks, coming here to a state where they seem to actually care about the youths education is refreshing.
The last year I’ve had a renewed vigor for success. I want to make my dad proud. I want to be the first person in my family to attend college. But obviously I don’t have the best track record. My lack of support has also made it impossible to join any sports but I do have volunteer hours from my freshman year (about 80 give or take).
Now I am entering my senior year. I’ve completed a lot of credits early and my principal was even surprised at how good of a spot I’m in comsidering the circumstances. I’ve taken ap and honors classes my freshman year and once again I am my senior year. Second semester I’ll also be attending courses at my local college because I’ll have so much availability on my schedule and my principal senses my eagerness and my earnest honesty. I have no doubt I can kick a** my senior year and boost myself to a 3.0. What are my chances you think at getting accepted into a good university? Is everything really based on criteria or do you think my attitude and my 180 will tilt the balance?
Any advice especially on what university would best suit would be so very helpful. I have high ambitions in science and engineering. My test scores are always high (always pass on the first try). I’m preparing to take my ACT and I know I’ll score high on that as well.
Would my chances be better off at attending community than uni outright? If so which community do you think would be best suited.
Anything would help really I’m out of state and quite lost.
I should’ve been more brief but I’ll include that my freshman year was basically my sophomore year academically. I
I also play an instrument and will join a spot and club my senior year. Will all of that improve my chances ?
We know most hs don’t pass kids who miss more days than they attend. It’s usually state law, so don’t know if you’re kidding.
Top colleges are less interested in opinions on your "brilliance " than what you accomplished- and that’s both in class and out.
That still leaves plenty of colleges that would be happy with a 3.0 applicant.
Your chances hinge first on choosing the right targets for your record as it is. Be sure they’re affordable.
A four year university will be tough. You don’t define “good university.” Without SAT or ACT it’s tough but your GPA is a problem even if you scored a 36. I would research community colleges and if any have a guaranteed route to 4 year universities in FL.
Transfer seems like a good route because you can have a 4.0 in college and transfer to a top 4-year university. You could probably get into a decent 4 year if you explain yourself and they request mid year transcripts (and you get all A’s) as a trend upwards is very helpful. Do note that the engineering path is much more competitive than others, so your scores and grades would have to be higher than average at schools to be “average”. Not sure how the residency status will work for you since you just moved to Florida. I know for California you have to have lived here for 3 years or something like that to be considered a state resident for college. It does seem like community college then transfer is the best route. When you go to community college you have a fresh start, so you can show just how smart you really are. When you apply to universities as transfer they will only look at your community college record. After you get into a top 4 year you could then apply to grad school since you are science/engineering. If you really want to go to a 4 year straight away it all depends on those test scores, and even then don’t expect a miracle. Top STEM schools like Caltech have students with perfect test scores and GPA. You should apply to some decent schools (Average GPA around 3.0) and see if you get in; if not then go to community where your high school track record won’t haunt you.