Community college student with zero high school - no idea where I stand!

Applying to College
1

Hello! I hope this is the appropriate place to post.

I am a 19 yo community college student in my second term (quarter system). I would love to transfer to a private school as a junior but I have no idea where I stand. There’s pretty much no info out there for community college students transferring to selective schools or anything for students with my kind of unconventional background. I’m not asking for chances to specific schools or anything because I’m not close to that point. I would just really appreciate any insight into my situation. Where I’m at, where I might be able to go, etc.

Before entering college in September I hadn’t been in school since seventh grade. I worked through what would’ve been my high school years and received my GED at 16. How do schools look at someone with zero education between ages 13-18? Will it completely sink me? Will it be considered when looking at my college transcript?

I don’t have any extraordinary circumstances to explain my lack of high school besides my parents just didn’t let me. I wasn’t a truant because I was technically registered as homeschooled I guess? It really sucks for me because in my single year of public school, seventh grade, my teachers thought I was legit like a prodigy. And I really haven’t improved much academically since I was 13, lol. Also, um…I’m middle class? Both of my parents are college graduates. I don’t have to work full time.

I think I’m doing alright from where I started. But what does that even mean??

At the moment my college transcript looks pretty lame because I tested into Algebra II and won’t take college level math until next term. And, I’m aiming for the Oregon associates of arts transfer degree so I’m required to take Writing 121 and 122, which are basic English classes. Additionally, because of a scheduling mishap, I ended up taking Women Studies 101 last term which is like the least rigorous thing ever.

GPA wise I’m okay, though. I got one A- last term but have managed to maintain As in all my other classes and I’m absolutely getting all As this term. If I manage to keep it up, I should have a 3.98 when I send in my applications next February/March (not absolute, obviously! but glass half full…). I’m planning on taking a heavy load of the most challenging classes I can and besides what I mentioned previously, I’ve been able to do that for the most part already.

I’m also a pretty excellent writer. My essays and writing supplements should be good? And I would have a chance to explain my history in them if that’s appropriate. I think I could get a pretty good letter of rec from my history teacher, too. I get great grades + really positive comments on assignments and she knows me because I’m in my second class with her and I plan to take another from her fall term. A positive of community college is really small class size.

The major I’m aiming for is Russian area studies and I’ve been teaching myself Russian since last summer or so and have gotten to a near fluent level (it’s not offered at my school). I’ll have to take a test to prove to U of O (my fallback) that I have foreign language proficiency.

Not really any extracurricular stuff. No skills. This is what I’m really concerned about - as far as stuff I can control - and trying to put energy toward. Planning on getting involved in clubs or student government or something soon. Will be volunteering in an involved role at a local domestic violence org when they offer the 40 hour training in a month. I was really aiming to get involved and potentially being part of the leadership of the campus LGBT club but their brand of advocacy makes me really uncomfortable. I work part time and am looking for a job that offers more hours. I live in a rural area so there is not a ton of stuff to involve myself in, unfortunately.

I’m planning on taking the SAT and ACT. I’ve considered SAT subject tests, too. I got a pretty good score on my GED but I don’t think that means anything. It was an easy ass test when I took it and it’s been three years.

Going to a good, academically strong school has been my dream since I was a little kid. Even when I barely knew what college was. I genuinely had a dream last night that I received an acceptance letter from Barnard. But I need a reality check! I need to know what I should be aiming for! My community college is okay but there’s no like honors classes or anything like that and my adviser isn’t very helpful. No one is aiming for private schools and there aren’t resources for people who are. I don’t have anyone in my life that can give me any guidance, so here I am.

If you’ve read this ridiculous wall of text, thank you so much! And I really appreciate any insight, or ideas, or suggestions, offered.

2

Non traditional students are favorites of liberal arts colleges. I think if you can show authenticity in your essays, you may even get scholarships. You do have to give SAT/ACT your best shot.

3

I think you need to see if your community college has a department that helps with the whole transfer process. Also, if you have any potential colleges I mind, you could try contacting their admissions and seeing if they have any whole specializes in nontraditional students and then maybe get some ideas and tips for what steps you need to take.

4

Thanks so much for your comments! I’m scheduling an app with my counselor hopefully for this week. He should be able to direct me to whatever help is availiable. And I plan on taking the SAT and ACT very seriously. I should also qualify for time and a half which could help immensely. As far as contacting admissions - do they expect prospective applicants to email with questions? I mean I guess that’s what they are there for but I feel strange about it.

5

If you’re female which I think you are with Barnard contacting you, you may want to consider women’s colleges on the East Coast. Several of them have room and programs for non-traditional students. Some of them have financial aid. While some of the non-trad programs seem to be for older students, that doesn’t mean that they don’t have funding available for younger non-trad students. It never hurts to try. I’d look into specifically Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Wellesley, Vassar (though it’s co-ed now), Bryn Mawr, Agnes Scott, and Sweet Briar, in addition to Barnard. Other schools that went co-ed may also have funding for non-trad women such as yourself: Wells, Connecticut College are two that come to mind. I agree that beginning a dialogue with admissions officers can help. Just keep your questions short and to the point. If you can swing a trip to the East Coast to meet with an officer, she/he will probably remember you as you move forward. Your standardized tests (SAT and ACT) can be your friend because you can use those to showcase your abilities in an objectively recognized way. Just practice them like crazy until you score extremely well. Closer to home, Reed I believe has non-trad students. Lewis and Clark has an association for non-trad students, meaning that they have a cohort there, too.

6

I think your perseverance through your lack of education will be very attractive to schools, especially if you’ve overcome hardships. Also, you have a solid gpa. Good job!

7

Shoot high. Shoot real, real, high, and even if you miss, the naysayers and doubters, and the people that gave up on their dreams and settled and held you down, they will be miles below you, with their heads down, grumbling about all the things they should have done. Good luck.