Did horribly in community college. What are my options?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm 19 years old and finishing my second year at a local community college. I'm enrolled under the engineering science program but I don't think that matters because I will not have my associate degree at the end of this semester, and the significance of that is just beginning to hit me. Rather than graduating with a degree I am still without much direction, and I have nothing to show for the past two years other than a lousy transcript. I wouldn't be able to obtain my degree for another year because it would require the completion of a physics sequence which has low availability. I could potentially change my major but I think the soonest I'd have a degree is by the end of the next Fall semester. </p>

<p>With the exception of one course, I've actually performed reasonably well; A's and B's in all classes, with a C or two thrown in. The problem however, is that I failed that one particular course three times. What's worse is that my parents are only aware that I've failed it once (the course is composition). I've led them to believe that I've retaken the course and finished that course sequence. Feel free to comment on that. I've been mentally cutting my wrists over my stupidity for months. </p>

<p>For the first 15ish months after my high school graduation I was very recluse with my parents. I never told them what I wanted to study or what interested me, partly because I wasn't sure myself. I never really had an interest for engineering, but it allowed me to extend my passion for math and science. For several months I considered majoring in physics when I transferred out of this school. After dabbling in it for a while I decided I wouldn't enjoy a career in that field, but it will always be a hobby. </p>

<p>Recently I've expressed a lot of interest in environmental science, sustainable agriculture, and earth sciences. These are the types of fields I was most interested in as a senior in high school, but I abandoned them for whatever reason. I am almost certain that enviro science is what I want to study. I've never felt so strongly about a subject. I only wish I had such a passion when I began my secondary education. My parents sense my desire, and have suggested applying to several universities for months. I would like to attend a university and pursue this dream more than anything, but I just don't see how it is possible. I've been lightly pushing away my parents, telling them that I'm still not sure, and that its too expensive. The truth is that I feel as though I have no chance of being accepted to any respectable university after having failed a basic composition class three times, with no chance to retake it again. Clearly I've made awful mistakes, repeatedly. After reminiscing on them all semester I'd like to say I've learned something.</p>

<p>I'm running out of time to apply for the fall semester but I'm not sure if it's even worth it. I haven't checked my GPA out of fear. I've accomplished so little these past two years, and I think even my parents recognize this. I work a stable job that I've had since high school and it has allowed me to pay for college thus far. But my parents realize that I'm going nowhere and want me to move on. I'd like to, but I'm scared I won't be able to get into any other schools. I'm looking at internships but they all require transcripts as well. I was thinking of moving out to California for a year to acquire residency and then later attend UC San Diego which has an amazing environmental science program. Doing this would also allow me to attend a local community college and build a new transcript. My parents supported this idea but after reviewing the stringent requirements, it could take me upwards of 2 years to acquire residency, if at all. </p>

<p>I suppose my main question here is this: What are my academic options having failed a core class three times in community college. Can I even get into another school? Thanks, everyone. </p>

2

<p>At some point you need to face the harsh realities of life. Most (if not all) colleges are going to expect you to pass Freshman Comp. That is the basis of every class that requires you to write. Dreams are great, but do not expect to get into an “amazing” program when you are only doing marginally well at a cc. </p>

<p>I would suggest you take a break. Work for a year or two and really figure out what you want out of life that is within your abilities. Then try to transfer to another jc or cc and see if they will let you complete Comp there. The time off you can use to polish your writing skills to hopefully succesfully complete the course.</p>

<p>Perhaps technical school is more your speed. I don’t know if they require any sort of writing, but the odds are better there than in any degree granted school. Perhaps joining the military is another option for you. If you have aptitude for science and math you may get into a field that will help you achieve your goals.</p>

<p>There are many people who live very successful lives without a college degree. There are many others who finish their degrees later in life once they have matured. You are very young. There is a lot of time to get yourself back on track if a BS is your goal.</p>

3

<p>What about continuing at your CC with a different major?</p>

<p><a href=“High-Paying Jobs With an Associate's Degree”>High-Paying Jobs With an Associate's Degree;

4

<p>@Torveaux I appreciate your insight but I would like to move forward sooner rather than later. I know where I went wrong; hindsight is 20/20. The first time I took the course was my first semester at the school. I underestimated the workload of a community college and failed to complete my term paper by the due date, resulting in automatic failure of the course. I took the course again in an online format over the summer. One of my close friends took his own life and I abandoned school work for the remainder of the summer. I never spoke to my professor about this and its far too late to even consider that now. I retook the course the following semester and was academically flunked after “plagiarizing” one scientific study in the term paper. No chance of rebuttal there. I maintained a class rank of 1 in all three instances until these occurrences happened. I scored perfectly on the AccuPlacer, and I believe I scored a 760 on critical reading the second time I took the SAT in high school. I’m also working to publish a paper in an respected online scientific journal. My writing ability is not what caused this. Clearly my work ethic is awful. I think I’ve resolved this for the most part though.</p>

5

<p>I feel you. Reminds me of my own first semester of school. The difference is that it was at a Big 10 university, not a community college. The trick for you is going to be getting past the comp. Once you do that you may be able to rebound. It it going to take some work, but you need to lobby Junior or Community Colleges to give you a chance. Since they have completely different admissions concerns, you can more likely talk your way in than if you were trying to get into a 4-year program. Good luck.</p>

6

<p>@Torveaux Thank you. Even after all of this, my GPA is still above the transfer requirement at my local state university. Is there any chance I could be accepted? Perhaps with some eyebrow raising extracurriculars? I also found a good number of environmental science related internships but I’m sure they all require transcripts.</p>

7

<p>If I were you, I’d take care of that freshman comp first, I think. Is there another college you can commute to where you can take the class? You can transfer it to whatever school you decide to transfer to later on. Are you sure about the enviro science major? I wouldn’t rush. Take the freshman comp as soon as you can and spend your time working, looking for opportunities to get experience in the field you want (can you volunteer some place?) and take time to investigate what school is going to be a fit for you. How big a school do you want, what part of the country, how much can you pay (run the net price calculators), who has the majors you’re interested in? There’s lots to consider. Maybe have a chat with your parents. Everybody makes mistakes. It’s important to acknowledge them, find the cause if you can, and move on. It sounds like you’re on the right track. Good luck.</p>

8

<p>Finished the semester and my GPA for the last two years is 2.87; I wonder if any schools will take me.</p>