<p>As the post says I don't think I'll be able to attend college.
I'm just going to go ahead and be very blunt with you all. I did not care about high school. At all. </p>
<p>My gpa was a 'whopping' 2.95
No extra curricular activities
No volunteer work during high school
No money (family couldn't even afford cable TV or Internet until 2 years ago) </p>
<p>I do not know what to do, and my depression is at an all time high because of it. I feel like colleges will look at my background and just conclude that I am a big failure. </p>
<p>Most of the reason why I have no extra curricular activities is because financial issues, since almost all of ours cost to much to partake in, and the ones that I could have done I didn’t have time because of work.</p>
<p>If you think I should give up now instead of waisting time trying please let me know. I need honesty here.</p>
<p>There are still colleges that will take you. The father to that you are a member of this website and even posted this question shows that you care. You’ll get in somewhere</p>
<p>Can I add volunteer stuff I did after high school? </p>
<p>I plan on going to Darfur, Sudan and North Korea to fight for human rights for about half a year
(helping with handing out clothes, bottled water, food, etc.)
I really would like to add that to my application.</p>
<p>Include in your applications things you have done, but not things you plan to do. It might be possible to work future plans into your essay, depending on topic. </p>
<p>Are you a senior this year, or have you already graduated?</p>
<p>I graduated early. (class of 2012 but finished in 2010)</p>
<p>I’ve been doing labor type work since I graduated because my family didn’t think I could go to college because of lack of funds. I recently found out that is not necessarily the case. I’ve talked to UNT and TWU and they refused. I talked to NCTC (community) and they pretty much reluctantly talked to me. (I guess because of my grades) </p>
<p>I didn’t have enough for the SAT because of bills so they want me to wait for the next ones, which is fine with me, I need to relearn some stuff anyway.</p>
<p>When you say they refused, do you mean they rejected your application, they refused to offer financial aid, or something else? It’s not clear to me. </p>
<p>Can you and your family contribute at all to college costs? Are you planning to commute to a nearby school?</p>
<p>They saw my transcripts and they said I’d be better suited at a community college. I asked if I could go to their school if I got all student loans and they told me no. </p>
<p>NCTC is more willing to talk to me but they said my gpa and grades may pose as a problem. </p>
<p>No my family literally can’t give me anything at all. My family can barely give me $20 without being overdrawn at the bank. All of their money goes literally to bills and that is all. My other side literally pays the bills and still has to leave the $400 a month IRS bill unpaid.
When I say broke I mean pretty much below the poverty line. </p>
<p>I’ve never received a college letter before. I mean EVER. I guess it’s safe to assume colleges aren’t interested in me? </p>
<p>I’m not really sure how all this stuff works. :/</p>
<p>First of all, don’t give up! As someone said, the fact that you are here (on CC) and asking questions shows you are dedicated and resourceful.</p>
<p>Community College is a fantastic option, if you are willing to do a little research. Look up the schools closest to you. See if they have agreements with any Universities or Colleges. Also look for other info like financial aid and class availability, you might be able to complete some online classes while abroad. See what the commute would be like. If you can, (ignore this if you already have) go talk with a counselor in person.</p>
<p>Another big thing will be to file a FAFSA. I believe it opens up on Jan. 1. It will give you something called an EFC (expected family contribution). Depending on that number and the financial aid policy at you local community colleges, your tuition might be covered!</p>
<p>Unfortunately it will not be a super easy process, but thats what makes it worth it, right? When you can go back to those schools that “weren’t interested” and show them your stellar stats from community college and letters of acceptance! And don’t be afraid to ask more questions! Good luck!</p>
<p>I’m thinking this is probably because you graduated two years early and your name never had a chance to show up on their radars. I assume they get their mailing lists from lists of juniors and seniors. </p>
<p>I agree with others that community college would be a great place for you to start. That’s what they’re there for.</p>
<p>You should definitely be able to attend community college. I would think a 2.95 would be a fairly average gpa in that environment. If you are dedicated, you will do well there, and after a year or two, 4-year colleges will not care about your high school grades, only your college ones.</p>
<p>If your family is that bad with money, you could get some fees waived (like SATs) if you talk to them. I had friends at poverty line and their only affordable option was to get fees waived and do their best with the app fee waiver or test fee waiver then loan out whatever they couldn’t get from FAFSA for college. I also agree with starting at community college. Do well in it so when you transfer you not only get need-based aid but merit aid too.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the support guys! So much useful info and encouragement thank you all!! </p>
<p>I’ve decided to go back to the Community College next spring, so I can dust off the cobwebs and get refamiliarized with algebra and all so I can give myself a better chance at the SAT. </p>
<p>Any books that anyone can recommend to me that will help me remember faster and easier? Tips? Etc.</p>
<p>Use the collegeboard website to your advantage. They offer one (maybe two) practice exams that you can print off. They also have a ‘question of the day’ that you can follow on twitter or have emailed to you. That is what helped me the most, was just doing one question a day in addition to practice tests.</p>