Decisions..

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello,
I'm a jr in highschool right now. My GPA average so far, is probably about
3.0 +/- (BEFORE my horrible GPA this year...) I was wondering if I still had any chance to get into a 'decent' college.</p>

<p>I'm Asian, so I'm not sure if that would bring down my chances a lot or not. My first two years of highschool, I was in band. That was basically two free A's for me. Symphonic Band both years, and section leader second year.. My school is really big into the whole band thing, and I think, is pretty well known in California.</p>

<p>This year, I'm not in band, and I just racked myself with whatever classes.. which I think was mistake. My hardest year by far, but some might say my classes are pretty easy, but not for me.</p>

<p>My classes are:
My schedule this year is:
(I dropped my band classes, for more a variety)
1.American Literature (C+1st Semester Jr year)
2.Creative Writing (B 1st Semester Jr year) 2nd Semester = Phsychology
3.Physics (C 1st Semester Jr year)
4.Pre Calculus (C 1st Semester Jr year)
6.US history (B+1st Semester Jr year)
7.Ecology (B+1st Semester Jr year)
8.French II (C+1st Semester Jr year)</p>

<p>My worst GPA in highschool is probably this semester.. (1st semester of JR year).. don't even want to know the GPA.. Fresh, and soph yr. I was failing classes.. (which I made up) and I still had at least a 3.0. My two band classes saved me with 2 free A's. Without those A's, I don't even want to think about how low my GPA is.</p>

<p>SAT's.. I have not taken yet.. studying my butt off for the last 7 months. I have no idea how well/bad I will do.. I'm taking them in May.</p>

<p>I have tons of Band stuff to put under EC.. so far, I've gone to my Ecology class to do some outdoor activities every saturday since my Jr started. Bunch of Community Service, and I'm going to participate in the Science Festival this year.. Probably a bunch of other stuff.. just not sure what to put yet.</p>

<p>I'm unsure of my major. Majoring in music is something I'd love to do, but I've talked to a few friends that have, and they really aren't doing to well. Architecture was another thing, and from what I've read, you really have to be passionate about that stuff, and I'm not sure if that's the right thing for me. I know your portfolio is a big part of the admission process, so maybe that could cover up my GPA a little bit? Other than that, I'm really not sure what I want to do. Music, and Art are both naturally appealing to me.</p>

<p>Colleges.. I have no idea if I even have a chance for any UC. I'm in California right now. And honestly, I'd really like to avoid going to a CC..</p>

<p>Sorry for the loongg post..
Hope you guys can help.</p>

2

<p>Did you get a reply from Jrock? You sound like Jrock. He is also interested in music and architecture (and language arts), and he is applying to some liberal arts schools and cornell's Arts and science...I think he would definitely be able to give you a reply.</p>

3

<p>You have a great chance at decent college, only the most elite want "perfection"</p>

<p>so do not dispair, keep working hard and know that the right school is out there for you, and starting off slow is okay, just keep workng hard and keep the grades moving up</p>

4

<p>The thing is.. my grades actually went down. Not necessarily my grades, but my GPA. After dropping band, it was really hard to get any A's in my classes. With band.. I get 2 A's. Now it's no band, and B's and C's, and low GPA.</p>

<p>The new semester is here, and I've been doing good so far, hoping I can get 1 or 2 A's, or/and no C's.</p>

<p>Was dropping band a bad decision? </p>

<p>Either way though, I've been busting my butt the past weeks of the new semester. I'm hoping I will do a lot better for the rest of the time I have..</p>

<p>BTW.. I did talk to Jrock.. helped me out a ton.</p>

<p>John</p>

5

<p>Dropping band may have been a bad decision because you may look more "passionate" if you continued. Why did you drop?</p>

6

<p>The band program at my school is a pretty big thing. We/They have a pretty big band, and lots of trip oppurtinities. I was actually called to join again this year, but I could not.. All the band money adds up, and by the end of they year, you'll probably paid about $3000 more or less..</p>

<p>Don't get me wrong, I haven't stopped playing music. I play the piano, guitar, and percussion/drums. Self taught w/ guitar, but I took piano lessons for about 8 years when I was younger.. and percussion since 7th grade. Still taking private drum lessons.. I've actually won a few awards in percussion, and pretty proud of a few pieces I have played with upperclass men.</p>

<p>My classes two classes of band were taken over by Creative Writing (1st semester), Phsychology (2nd) and Ecology (all year). We're half way through the year, and I've done a ton of extra things for ecology..</p>

7

<p>You have a chance at a UC as long as you keep your weighted gpa over 2.8 and get pretty good test scores. You just need to be emotionally prepared for Riverside (I visited, it was actually very OK) Merced or MAYBE Santa Cruz or Irvine. Seriously though, you need to pick a few classes to devote yourself to so you can get As. And are you sure your band class was approved for UC credit? Ask your administration.
Good Luck!</p>