Doomed By History?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Please skip to the bottom for "TL;DR" version.</p>

<p>As a student in high school, I did it all; I was accepted into a competitive magnet program, filled my schedule with all AP and dual-enrollment courses, played two varsity sports and was an all-state band member, and held leadership roles in student organizations and clubs. My SATs were in the highest percentiles, having scored 800 Writing, 800 Verbal, and just over 700 Math. My GPA was heavily weighted (well above a 4.00) and I graduated second in my class. In the spring of my senior year, I was accepted into the University of Virginia and Brown. I chose UVA (couldn't beat the value of McIntire) and started as a student in the fall of 2006. This is where the story takes a horrible downturn.</p>

<p>I will spare the agonizing intricacies of my story, but I essentially was unprepared for a university atmosphere and performed poorly. I was forced to withdraw in the first semester and, due to external factors, found myself back at UVA in for the Spring semester (just as unprepared as before). I was disinterested, disconnected, and depressed. I stopped attending classes, and received five failing grades on my transcript. At this juncture, I was subject to academic suspension for a year. I worked full-time for a year, dragging myself through a variety of less than ideal circumstances and interactions, and appealed for readmission to UVA in the fall of 2008. My appeal was granted, and I started once again, only to fall into previous habits and fail miserably once again.</p>

<p>Now, as an adult of twenty three, I find myself trudging through mind-numbing coursework at a local CC, a result of my less-than-stellar previous academic history (after high school). I am currently taking three summer express courses (for the unfamiliar, these are 3 credit courses jammed into 6 weeks), with a schedule from hell--working full-time (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM) and also a full-time student (Monday-Thursday 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM, as well as one course online). After completion of the summer session (having successfully persevered through six of these nightmare-inducing courses), my transcript from CC will be composed of nine As and I will be on pace to complete my AA in one year. My cumulative GPA, however, remains haunted by my indiscretions at UVA and therefore is now hovering just above a 2.00. </p>

<p>It has always been my dream to transfer to a top-tier business school (not necessarily Ivy League), but is it realistic that I will be able to fulfill such ambitions at this point in my life? I have learned from my past, but am I doomed to never live it down? Success stories from anyone in similar shoes (past or present) would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>TL;DR Version-</p>

<p>I was an Ivy League caliber high school prospect, chose a top-tier public university (UVA), and failed miserably. Since that time, I have refocused myself and managed to work full-time while remaining a full-time student with straight As (and on pace to complete my AA in one year at a local Community College). Do I have any chance in hell of getting back into a good university?</p>

<p>Thank you for taking the time to read and respond!</p>

2

<p>It’s always going to be part of your transcript which I’m sure you regret, but if you’ve got two solid years of community college with a solid transcript for those two years you should be able to transfer to a 4 year college. Unfortunately there are many kids who just aren’t ready to head off to college right after high school. Years ago we had a friend with a brilliant son, accepted to a hard to get into program at an elite school and pretty much followed your path. He has since graduated Magna from a lower tier university than his original elite and he’s doing well in life. Never look back, learn from your mistakes and move forward. Whether or not that 4 year college meets the definition you had in your head at 18 is hard to say. When the time comes all you can do is apply and see what happens. </p>

<p>One point is that your “list” will most likely be very different at 24 or 25 than perhaps it was at 18 as you most likely will want to be with peers your own age so if you had some small LACs on your original list that have campuses predominated by 18-21 year olds you probably won’t be as interested. Possibly you are footing the bill as many parents cease to fund which could change your list and if your parents are going to help your financial need and make-up could be very different now than 6 or 7 years ago. Larger public institutions are used to entering students from a wide variety of ages who “got there” from a multitude of paths. Remember the degree is from the university from which you graduate…</p>

3

<p>It’s possible, yes. My grades were poor in college. Barely made it, in fact. Horrible. While at work, I took a slew of courses at a local college, all business courses so that I could learn those disciiplines that I had never had. Got a 4.0 in those courses over the 5 year period I took them. Took LSATs when I was nearly 30 years old, got high scores, had job experience in a specific field of law, garnered lots of recs from attorneys, and was accepted to some top 13 law schools. So, yes, it can happen, but it takes time. Someone once said that you need a stretch of time in excellence that exceeds those years that were substandard. Not a rule but something to keep in mind. One stellar year, a few good grades, some achievement is not going to offset resounding failure.</p>

4

<p>Also if this is your first semester in CC you’ve got more work to do before you consider transferring. You might be able to go somewhere soon, but if you have set your sights higher than somewhere get your CC with good grades under your belt. My son had a friend, senior scholar, doctor parents and all that high school stuff, that did not go to college. He is now going this fall. He just needed time to season. Not everyone gets it done at 21 or 22. Your work experience alone will contribute to your total package in the future along with your failures which presumably taught you something about yourself. You are not alone, focus on today and tomorrow and the future will take care of itself.</p>

5

<p>I would stop worrying about getting into a “good university”. Many community colleges have transfer agreements with 4 year schools. Look into that and see if your community college offers the same. Talk with your advisor. It sounds like you would really benefit from a small school - if you have a choice look for that. If not, always sit up front and try to establish a relationship with your professor for each class (they have posted office hours, go by and introduce yourself), get to know a few classmates for study sessions early in the semester, keep up with a good calendar. </p>

<p>I’m sure you have learned now, how to withdraw before the WF withdraw date so your GPA is not affected? If not, read the college catalog and policies. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

6

<p>Thank you for the replies!</p>