Chances of going to TCNJ - Please Read!

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>What's up everyone? I'm currently a junior in High School and right now, i'm looking at colleges, focusing on my future right now and I have a list of colleges which not only include TCNJ but others such as Rutgers in New Brunswick, Syracuse, Maryland, Providence, Kean. </p>

<p>I'm currently a junior and recieved my GPA from my councelor, and let's just say it's not too good! 2.5-2.8 - freshman year I did well but sophmore year I had the worst teachers (not an excuse, =/), got into fights everyday and I took school as a joke really and I'm picking it up slowly as my Junior year progresses. Currently, I do not take any AP classes because of what happend last year but I am taking AP classes next year.</p>

<p>Currently, for the 3rd marking period of the 2nd sem. I have the following (from Period 1 to 10)</p>

<p>1: English/American Literature III: B/B+
2: Gym: A+
3: Pre-Clac/Statistics: B-
4-5: Word Processing: A+
6: ---------- (lunch)
7-8: United States History II: C-
9: Digital Photography/Photoshop: A+
10: Zoology: B/B+</p>

<p>I have a 2.5 or a 2.8 right now (its a new counselor, I don't think she knows what she's talking about atm cause I got two different ones last time with my old counselor.)</p>

<p>I was wondering if its possible to jump from 2.5 / 2.8 to a 3.4/3.6 by taking 8 summer classes (im pretty sure its .2 per class towards your GPA) and for the last marking period of this year, get straight A's and A's and B's for the finals this year and for next year (my senior year) achieve straight A's for the 1st whole semester.</p>

<p>BTW: about SAT scores, I have yet to take it but I am confident overall I can achieve a 1900-2000 because I have had luck with tests such as the PSAT (even though it is completely different than the SAT) and I've been taking online courses to prepare, bought the CollegeBoard book for it and have been practicing for it by doing problems everyday, etc.</p>

<p>Thank you to whoever can answer my very important question, it helps my future!</p>

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<p>Bump, please I need help and suggestions!</p>

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<p>You might want to talk to your counselor about that Summer GPA. I highly doubt you can take a 2.5 to a 3.6 unweighted GPA with just one summer semester. </p>

<p>But if you do have a 2000 SAT score with a GPA in the 3.0+ range, you have a reasonable shot at Rutgers and TCNJ. The biggest problem right now will likely be 1) your disciplinary file (I don’t think any of us can say how the disciplinary file will affect admissions.), and 2) your courses (you look to have a light course load). Are you planning AP’s in senior year, particularly in Calc? That would help.</p>

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<p>Yes, I am.</p>

<p>I was also told by a couple of friends that I can take summer courses in TCNJ and if I do extremely well in all my courses, it will bump up my chances of landing in TCNJ.</p>

<p>My course right now is pretty light. I am taking all APs next year and I’m willing to sacrifice sports and some work at the YMCA to achieve A’s and B’s in AP classes.</p>

<p>But also remember, 2.5 is just my freshman and sophmore year. Right now I’m getting A’s and B’s (one C =/) so hopefully it will bump it up to a 2.8, 2.9)</p>

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<p>Disagree. You are an unlikely admit at TCNJ, unless you have some truly excellent EC’s. I know plenty of kids with better stats than that who were denied at TCNJ this year. </p>

<p>To the OP: I prefer reality, as opposed to magical thinking, which is what you are engaging in. Eight courses in a summer? You are having trouble getting good grades in your academic subjects in high school. Have you figured out why this is? Hint: it’s not because of the teacher.</p>

<p>Please do not think that I am unsympathetic to your plight. After a good freshman year, my son got grades like yours in his sophomore year. I told him that I had no intention of paying for college for someone who was unable to keep a 3.0 average in HS. On top of that, his guidance counselor told him that Rutgers was a long-shot if he continued on that path. </p>

<p>He woke up in his junior year and remembered that he was intelligent. He is doing very well in his senior year. Perhaps you can too. It is good that you are studying for the SATs. My son studied and did very, very well. Forget your magical plans for eight classes in the summer and concentrate on doing well in the time remaining in your junior year.</p>

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<p>They have a strong emphasis on standardized testing, and an average SAT of 1800. A 2000 puts him over the 75th percentile. They don’t provide GPA, but knowing the admit rate of the school, it can’t be that high. Perhaps an average of 3.4 or so, but that’s just a guess based on it’s selectivity rating. </p>

<p>In that case, being above the 75th percentile on SAT and in the ballpark on GPA at a college that emphasizes SAT over GPA gives him a reasonable shot.</p>

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<p>From what I’ve seen, statistics for tcnj (or any school) don’t tell the whole story. Most students at TCNJ come from NJ, which has some very high-achieving students, so you’re looking a degree of self-selection. It’s harder to get in if you’re in-state, from what I hear. Top 10% of high school class: 62 % Top 25% of high school class: 88% Avg gpa of admitted students is 3.6 - 3.7 UW according to scattergrams for my son’s school, one of the best publics in NJ. </p>

<p>A 3.0 average is pretty low to be considered top quartile, let alone top tenth. Yes, SATs are important, but so are course load and ECs. TCNJ is big on community service as well. </p>

<p>Looking at the facts, the OP has a gpa well below 3.0, a light curriculum and has not yet taken the SATs. I am assuming that he/she is from NJ. Yes there’s a chance of admission for the OP, but it’s remote unless he/she can turn things around in a big way. The best incentive to turn things around, IMHO, is not to hold out false hope but to look at the reality and work with that. Feel free to disagree.</p>

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<p>Right now, im averaging A’s and B’s Junior Year and im looking to average straight A’s in ALL AP classes next year plus summer courses (i can take them in TCNJ im pretty sure.) I can jump to a really good GPA if I work to my fullest.</p>

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<p>Question: If I were to go to Rutgers in New Brunswick or Newark, I can transfer to TCNJ after the first semester if I can get to a 2.5 or higher GPA correct? One Semester=6 months</p>

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<p>I agree on the OP’s stats and that he has a low probability of acceptance at his current level. But, to get into the 3.0+ UW range, he’s going to basically need 4.0’s, or close to it, in the next two semesters and the summer semester. Add to that an SAT score above the 75th percentile, and it seems like he has a reasonable shot.</p>

<p>I didn’t say he would be admitted, just that he has a reasonable shot.</p>

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<p>You’re not going to transfer anywhere with a 2.5 gpa. Right now, imho, you’re thinking too far ahead. How about thinking of the rest of the year? You don’t have that much time, and you have SATs coming up, I presume.</p>

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<p>So you’re saying that you have a 2.5 average freshman year, and a 2.5 average sophomore year? In that case, you need a 4.0 average this year to get to a 3.0. 4.0 will be nearly impossible to achieve, particularly since you have one C and three Bs in your academic subjects at the moment. If you manage a 3.5, then you would have a 2.8 gpa.</p>

<p>You need to work very, very hard. You also need to change your study habits, get extra help, do something. I do not mean to be harsh with you - I am trying to be kind. But

isn’t much of a plan…it’s more magical thinking. You’re nowhere near straight As now. Something must change. Figure out what it is now, before you get to college, wherever you go to college.</p>

<p>Have you talked to your parents about this? Have they any suggestions?</p>

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<p>Your reasonable shot is predicated on the OP getting all As for a final grade, including current classes where his average is a C and three Bs. And then he has to get all As next year and over the summer. Kind of unrealistic expectations, don’t you think? (BTW, I’m not counting photoshop, word processing and gym, and neither will colleges) And don’t forget he needs to score high on the SATs, which he hasn’t taken. </p>

<p>I’d really like to see the OP improve his study habits so that he has a strong finish. He needs a dose of reality, not a lot of smoke blowing.</p>

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<p>Agreed. But he’s not asking for his status right now. He’s asking for his chances if he is to make a 2000+ on his SAT’s and get straight A’s for the rest of college. If he does that, he has a reasonable shot.</p>

<p>Now, will he do that? It’s doubtful based on past history, but you never know. In high school, we had a student heavy into cocaine and heroin. The guy had horrible grades. Half way though sophomore year, he went to rehab, cleaned up, and had straight A’s the rest of college, including a 1520 on the SAT’s (out of 1600). He was admitted to UNC.</p>

<p>Stranger things have happened. Maybe the OP can get serious, focus, and turn things around.</p>

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<p>GP: Now I agree with you, 110%.</p>

<p>I absolutely believe in people turning themselves around. That’s a good story about the student in your school. I’ve seen similar things - and I’ve seen the reverse (a Harvard graduate who lost his mind and went on a killing spree in his neighborhood).</p>

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<p>I’d like to see that as well.</p>

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<p>I know lots of people that have been rejected by TCNJ with 3.7+ GPAs , plenty of honors courses and ECs. I know a football player who got in with grades similar to yours. Strong SATs will help a lot, but I think TCNJ is a long shot.</p>

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<p>I hear a lot of negative things like I won’t make it to TCNJ, its fine. But I will try anyway. I can always transfer if I go to Rutgers to TCNJ.</p>

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<p>They’re not negative, necessarily. I think they can be summed up like this:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Right now you would be rejected from TCNJ</p></li>
<li><p>If you earn straight A’s the next 3 semesters and get a 2000+ on the SAT, and take more challenging classes, you have a reasonable shot</p></li>
<li><p>Given your past performance, it’s not likely that you’ll be able to earn straight A’s or a 2000+ on the SAT. But, good for you if you’re able to make it happen.</p></li>
</ul>

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<p>Well, i only had bad grades sophmore year because I got so damn lazy, but freshman year I did very well and this year im doing very well (besides that one C but i can raise it up).</p>

<p>the PSATs without studying I got a 190 out of 240 (add a 0 to my final score, and thats my predicted SAT score which will be 1900, not bad im aiming for 2100+ for the SATs)</p>

<p>and im taking all AP classes, I can handle the work. I just have to strive hard, work at it and forget about what happend in my past, cause whats done is done.</p>

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<p>Good for you, then. Keep it up, get that C up, and you’re on your way.</p>

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<p>Are my chances high enough with this:</p>

<p>Change C to a B so I have all A’s and B’s this marking period.
Get either All A’s or A’s and B’s 4th marking period.
A’s and B’s on my finals for my classes.
Take summer courses to raise my GPA and pass with an A so I can take AP next year
Get a 2000+ in SATs in June
Get all A’s or A’s and B’s first semester of Senior Year.</p>

<p>I also have a good history of volunteer work at Overlook Hospital in New Jersey. I’ve been a volunteer there for over a year and I work either every saturday or every 2 weeks saturday.</p>

<p>That’s my plan, and im sticking to it.</p>