<p>I'm new to this site and judging by many responses on several threads, I know I'll get solid guidance because I am in extreme need it. I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right category, but please let me know if I'm not.</p>
<p>Being a first-generation student is not easy in such a competitive educational system. I did poorly in HS and I want to get serious about my education (am now I suppose), and future career. I'm a Senior in HS and I'm lost in what college I should attend, whether I should go to a community college or straight to a 4-year university; the choice is nerve-racking because graduation is close and I need to make a choice, fairly soon.</p>
<p>My main concern is to gaining a solid education with a successful career. I REALLY want to receive an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering (CE), I'm leaning towards starting fresh by attending community college, but I wasn't sure if that's a good idea.</p>
<p>Unweighted GPA- 2.45
ACT- 19</p>
<p>I have been accepted to SIUe but, I'm extremely paranoid if I'll even find a job after I gain my degree there. It's either SIUe or attending any of the local community colleges in Chicago, complete a 2-year program, and transfer to a more prestigious university in Illinois that offers CE such as:</p>
<p>University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Illinois Institute of Technology
University of Illinois at Chicago - UIC</p>
<p>The reason why I want to stay in Illinois is for the tuition rate for in-state students.</p>
<p>I'm open to any sort of guidance to what I should look forward to (or doing), but just FYI I am certain that I want to major in CE.</p>
<p>I would definitely recommend count to CC for two years. After two years, these schools won’t take your high school record and scores into consideration.</p>
<p>I know they won’t, but I know someone with a 3.2 GPA with an ACT score of a 19 got acceptance into UofI. I’m just trying to see if I should go to SIUe or CC.</p>
<p>Someone got into U of I with a 3.2 and a 19 act?
I find that hard to believe!
I would go to CC, I doubt SIUe has a good computer science program.
Keep in mind transferring to U of Illinois CS is pretty difficult</p>
<p>Any reason you can’t go to SIUE and then transfer to a better state school ? Or do you feel that the CC will be the better place for you at the start in order to catch up academically?</p>
<p>@uofiapplicant. Trust me, I know what you mean, it’s absurd to be honest. As for transferring to U of I, I understand it’s fairly difficult, any suggestions you would make to enhance my chances of a transfer acceptance?</p>
<p>@BeanTownGirl. Enlighten me please, I honestly don’t know if CC would be a good option for me, or perhaps do my prerequisites at SIUE. The only barrier would probably be money, but other than that no (I can go to SIUE). I just want to attend a more prestigious university because I’m certain I can do better.</p>
<p>If you do go to CC, make sure you consult the transfer handbook that U of Illinois had made available.
[U</a> of I Admissions: Transfer Admission Requirements](<a href=“http://www.admissions.illinois.edu/apply/requirements_transfer.html]U”>Page Not Found, Illinois Undergraduate Admissions)
all the useful info is there.
If you go to CC in Chicago, then there will most likely be IAI agreements in which classes will transfer sucessfully. Just make sure you keep a very high GPA and complete the courses in the handbook and you will have a decent shot at getting in.</p>
<p>If that all falls through, then I would suggest trying UIC. I’ve heard good things about their CS program (ranked top 60)</p>
<p>Thanks, bud. But I don’t if you saw that I wanted to major in Computer Engineering… not CS, just saying. Good to know though, thanks again.</p>