Hi,
So I took all regular courses my first semester in high school and two honors courses for my second semester, and my GPA (unweighted) was 4.0. By the end of my first semester of 10th grade (last autumn), however, I had serious issues in my family and my depression and anxiety caught up with me. I recognized when the semester was almost over that my transcript was going to show probably an A, a C, a D, and two Fs, so I dropped out of my (online, accredited) high school.
I’ve been doing homeschooling since then, studying mostly for COMPASS placement exams so that I can enroll in community college this fall, and working my butt off volunteering at a library and at a science institute. I’m 16 now – I want to finish two years of cc at 18 (hopefully joining their Honors Society and psychology club since I plan on being a psych major) then get my GED, then transfer to university as a junior and graduate with a B.S. when I’m 20. I understand I’ll have to do very well in cc.
I’m not looking to get into an ivy league, but simply a respected university that can send me on my way to grad school. I live in Michigan, so my state school options are good.
Will a school look down on me for just a year of HS education and a GED, even though my freshman year HS GPA is high and I do well in community college? I’m an ambitious person and I’d like to make it look on my app essays as though I was motivated to accelerate the college process, which is also true.
Thanks!
I think it’s possible to portray yourself as the ambitious, smart person that you seem to be regardless of your record to date. Even if your transcript shows that you cratered in one year of high school, your CC transcript if it’s stellar, may make up for that. If you avoided that crater showing up on your record, it doesn’t hurt to be honest with the admissions person. They can probably tell when they’re getting a half-truth. To my mind, honesty and showing genuine academic ability is helpful. We all love redemption stories. You are young and we adults expect youth to make mistakes. It’s what you do with those mistakes that’s more persuasive. I suspect that Michigan State would have fewer issues with your record than UMich, but even so. If you show gumption and brilliance, and you can demonstrate that you can handle a UMich program, I suspect you’d get in. Note that UMich requires subject tests for admission in some cases for GED applicants. Mich State offers a “spartan youth program” which you may want to try, if you qualify, to help acquaint the school with your abilities and personality before you apply. It looks like UMich has programs in some cities for advanced high school students. I’m not clear whether you qualify for those programs if you’re working toward your GED. My guess is that approaching the program can’t hurt, and again it’s a way of showcasing your talents before applying for transfer. To my mind, beginning the dialogue with Admissions at your target school early can’t hurt. Asking them to help you decide your best path to admission at Target School is a good start. Will I need a subject test? Which CC major should I take? They can get to know you and see your sincerity. They will note your progress toward your goals as you move forward. Again, your track record and your honesty and sincerity, not to mention building that relationship with admissions, (as long as you don’t bug them–like, contact them once or twice a year, keep the messages short but informative, and remember to write thank you notes!) can only help you gain admission to your target school.
@Dustyfeathers OMG thank you so much for your comprehensive and helpful answer. I’m definitely taking note of everything you said 