<p>I'll simply start by saying that my grades are and have been rather bad throughout my high school career. I'm currently a junior at an american high school in Dubai and the college process is right around the corner.</p>
<p>By bad, I mean 2.5 GPA bad. If one were to look at my high school transcript they would simply scoff and move on. So far only two AP's (in the UAE you can't start AP's until 11th grade, not sure if its the same in the US), no sports, and few extra-curriculars (only ever been president of a Tech club in charge of the school's tech).</p>
<p>I don't consider myself an idiot in any regard, as I am well versed in philosophy and politics (which are essentially my passion), and I plan to study a subject involving the two fields in the future. My standardized test scores aren't terrible, I scored a 2310 on my SAT I and have yet to take any SAT II's, nor have I taken the ACT yet. Some would qualify me as a smart but lazy student. I realize the mistakes I've made concerning my grades and I didn't come here for lecturing or scolding (sorry to sound dickish about it).</p>
<p>The reason I've come here for help is that I'm lost and confused and simply don't know what to do. I have no idea what sort of schools to look into and aim for, and any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Two key questions:
Would you be applying as an International student? And will you need financial aid?</p>
<p>I’m an american citizen so I suppose not, and financial aid is not a defining factor although it is important, by that I mean it is important, but not a requirement.</p>
<p>Your SAT scores are great and will help you at some schools. Are you a junior this coming fall or a senior? Either way, if you buckle down and get good grades the rest of high school, you will be able to get into some very good schools. With few EC’s the Ivy’s are not in contention but there are so many choices where you can apply, including state flagships and some very good private colleges. To narrow it down, it would help if you know whether you want a big school (more classes and majors available, in some cases more school spirit), or a small school (more contact with profs). Also what region of the US you prefer and whether you want urban or small town.</p>
<p>If you don’t need financial aid, that will help get you in some places as well.</p>
<p>To answer your questions southeastmom, I’m a rising senior (which I should’ve mentioned, sorry), and I think I’m indifferent about size. In terms of location, coastal cities (west coast, northeast, and Chicago for family and friend reasons) are generally what I prefer. </p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the response, I really appreciate it as it has definitely made me feel calmer.</p>
<p>If your school has a good guidance department, you should pop by there and talk with them about getting screened for inattentive-type ADD and executive function disorder. The combination of good standardized test scores, and not-so-hot classroom grades is practically a diagnostic for this. Clearly your brains are fully functional, but your organizational skills probably need a lot of work. The guidance department and resource teacher (if you have one) can help you master some of those skills before you get to college. As things stand, you are likely to struggle in college.</p>
<p>The best judge of where you are likely to be admitted is the college counselor at your current HS. Usually the college counselors at the American schools overseas have very good records for where all of their students have been admitted and can predict fairly accurately where a current student is likely to get in. Since your GPA doesn’t reflect your abilities, you will need to work closely with the college counselor at your school so that you can “package” yourself in an attractive way.</p>
<p>Sit down with your parents (or whoever it is who will be helping you pay for your education) and find out just exactly how much money is available. You also need to determine whether you can qualify for in-state status anywhere. If your family has been overseas for a number of years, and doesn’t own any property in the US, it is likely that you would be out-of-state everywhere. To get a ball-park figure for the minimum amount that your family is likely to be expected to pay, print out the FAFSA formula and have your parents work through it <a href=“http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/101310EFCFormulaGuide1112.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/101310EFCFormulaGuide1112.pdf</a></p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>
<p>First, let me say that your GPA may be an impediment to financial aid at some of the better schools. </p>
<p>But you could apply to mid-range privates which possibly might be interested by your “diversity” (where you live.) I’m thinking schools like Loyola and Depaul in Chicago or University of San Francisco. </p>
<p>Consider American University in Washington DC where your passion for politics will be encouraged. I know of a guy who got into American with worse grades and scores than yours but who demonstrated unusual level of political involvement. In your essay you should explain the grades & emphasize your interests/passions. </p>
<p>I’d also consider University of Massachusetts, Amherst: students there can also take classes at Amherst, Smith, Mt Holyoke and Hampshire college, schools which will offer philosophy/political theory at a high academic level. </p>
<p>Go to princetonreview.com and try their school matching page - it’s a great way to learn about schools you’ve never heard of before.</p>
<p>Thank you for the response happymomof1. I had my regular check up at the doctor’s this morning and mentioned executive function disorder, so she referred me to a specialist.</p>
<p>Keep in mind is that the GPA trend is important: If your worst grades were in 9th grade, and they have improved each year, you will be given the benefit of the doubt, especially if you are male (assumption here is that you are a slow maturer.) Some schools won’t even include your 9th grade grades in their recalculation of your GPA.</p>
<p>The other thing to consider is if you are ‘lop-sided’ in your grades: very strong in the humanities, say, but poor in math and science or vice versa. There are also schools that specialize in very bright but ‘skewed’ kids, like Reed and Hampshire.</p>
<p>As always, an unusual EC or especially insightful essay (hopefully addressing, along the way, why you think your grades aren’t representative of your ability), along with strong teacher recs, can help redress some lower grades - but be realistic and check out the schools in the “Colleges that Change Lives” book to find some good fits.</p>
<p>Check out the University of Pittsburgh - your SAT scores may qualify you for merit aid and they have a top 10 philosophy department.</p>