Getting rejected by schools, don't know what to do now.

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm currently a senior and high school and I'm starting to receive rejections. </p>

<p>I had a cumulative GPA of 2.79 with an ACT score of 26 and an SAT score of 1630.
These are the schools I applied to:
UC's:
Riverside,Merced,Santa Cruz.
CSU's:
Cal Poly,SDSU,Long Beach,Pomona,Fullerton,SJSU,SFSU.</p>

<p>So far, both Riverside and Long Beach have rejected me which leads me to think that any school above them will most likely do the same. I had hopes for LB mainly because my test scores were about 150-200 higher, making up for my low GPA. But now that I know my place, I really don't know where else to go. I want to major in business, so that pretty much just leaves SJ and Fullerton as my only choices. SFSU I doubt I'll go(even though I got accepted) because now of they're well known majors interest me. My parents say that if I'm going to SJ/Fullerton I might as well just go to a CC. They seem to look down upon them because of what others say and also based on ranking. </p>

<p>My only concern in going to a CC is that I won't be motivated enough to pull off good grades. I mean, if I managed to get a GPA as low as 2.8, it's only logical that I would do as bad in community college(even though my HS is harder than the average HS, or most CC's for that matter). Going to a community college means that I'll have to work at least hard enough to get into a higher UC or some other college with as high or higher standards, at least in my parents eyes. </p>

<p>And I hate to come off as cocky and all but do agree for the most part because after going to a HS that's ranked top 8 public in the state, my standards have risen and I really see no reason not to aim that high, especially when all my HS friends are probably already set to go to schools of that caliber. My parents are of asian heritage but unlike most of them, they're standards aren't as high and their pretty chill for the most part. But I feel as if I've been a spoiled kid my whole life and I've never done anything that's given me a sense of accomplishment, anything that could create even the littlest amount jealousy in the eyes of others. Not just in academics, but sports, social life, etc. I feel that the least I can do is get in somewhere pretty respected just so I can satisfy my parents and make them proud, for once. I know the prestige of the school isn't everything, but at least I'll feel better about myself and possibly increase the chances of me getting a more profitable job rather than going somewhere else I attended as a last resort and struggling to find one.</p>

<p>What do you guys think? Should I just go with whatever school that accepts me, or should I just go to a CC in hopes that I'll be motivated enough to do well and get in somewhere prestigious or well known?</p>

2

<p>I’m a parent and have a different life perspective given my years.</p>

<p>TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND STEP BACK.</p>

<p>Currently it sounds like you ONLY care about the name of a school because it will make you LOOK better to others.<br>
This is your LIFE. You need to get beyond what others think. I’d bet most of these others don’t think too long about a single individual. Again, this is from years of life experience. </p>

<p>What do you want to do with your life? What career? If you don’t have a career in mind, then what life style? Think about what kind of money you need to make to live that lifestyle.</p>

<p>Community College does not have to be a continuation of high school. Many Community Colleges are much more difficult then high schoolers perceive them to be. The biggest downside to Community College may be commuter issues since many kids believe the college experience should include dorm life. </p>

<p>Why do you think you will have motivation issues in Community College but not in 4 year institution? And if your high school is as difficult as you say then Community College may be the ideal place to get your grades up since it may be academically easier.</p>

<p>You don’t sound cocky,but you do come across as entitled. </p>

<p>Have you thought about taking a GAP year? Maybe working with AmeriCorps? That is something that you can be proud of.</p>

<p>The quality of your school does not have a direct correlation to the job you will get. The kids who get the best job placement are often the ones who either are in the top of the class or who make it happen by completing internships and taking advantage of every opportunity. </p>

<p>Please do not make any decisions based upon how prestiges it will be to others. Make a plan for your future and your life.</p>

3

<p>You’re honestly better off doing 2 years of CC then a UC transfer than a Cal State IMO. You can make up for your bad GPA if you want. If you need some maturing time then go WOOFING or something.</p>

4

<p>I think you should go with the CC</p>

5

<p>Hey,
You know what my dad always tells me? You have to put life in perspective. Right now, we’re young, and every event seems major and life-changing…but years later, we’re going to look back and see how small this one moment is in comparison with the rest of the years to follow (awkward sentence construction, sorry). The point is, life has still got a lot to offer you. Do you believe in yourself? You said you know you can do better. You know what? I really believe sometimes it’s not what college we attend, it’s how we will do there. It’s our personality. I know it sounds so Disney and stuff, but take an example-- you can go to a top school and finish last (or you can be a Harvard PhD and end up shooting three ppl cuz you were denied tenure…aka recent news). So do you believe you can do better? =) If so… don’t think of yourself as having no accomplishments. You still have got a long way to go in life! (btw my dad’s a doctor so I tend to think about patients and life questions so sorry if I sound super zen)</p>

<p>I know ppl who’ve transferred to UC Berkeley, for example, after going to a CC. Heck, I hear stories of ppl getting into medical school from CC just cuz they kicked ass. So do know you still got options.</p>

6

<p>Asians have prestige syndrome. Get over it.</p>

<p>Next, do an honest assessment of your skillset and motivation for college. What do YOU want to study and become? Does that fit with your inventory of skills? Are you realistic? </p>

<p>Then look quickly for some schools with ROLLING admissions, some of which may be out of state. Can your family afford to send you to a private college? There are still some schools out there who have NOT closed admissions deadlines. GET ON IT TODAY. USE THE COMMON APP TO SAVE TIME. </p>

<p>Look at SMALL private colleges both inside California, in the West and perhaps Midwest. IF YOU ARE MOTIVATED TO STUDY IN COLLEGE.</p>

<p>Then CC is not a bad option IF you apply yourself.</p>

<p>Or take a GAP YEAR AND DO SOMETHING POSITIVE WITH YOUR LIFE: Working in public service or for a non profit. Map out a plan and FOLLOW IT TO THE T, and then REAPPLY to college after your GAP YEAR, including all that you accomplished.</p>

<p>You have choices. The only BAD choice is to fall into a funk and lay around the house feeling sorry for yourself. Get up off your rear and, put on a positive attitude and smile, tell yourself that its time to get to work and grow up, and then go and do it.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>Some kids also go in the military for 2 or 3 years, get the GIBill to help pay for college and in the meantime get some solid skills, GROW UP A WHOLE LOT and get focused, then enter college as a mature student (who lives off campus in an apartment often…which is better than the crazy dorms), and become HUGE successes in life. Its done all the time.</p>

<p>Just don’t get down on yourself and get in a funk. You have choices. Now get to work.</p>

7

<p>Have you tried applying to Sonoma State? My friend goes there and has similar/a little higher stats than you do.</p>

8

<p>If you were successful in applying to your choice of universities then you should have no problem attending the schools that you were accepted into. I myself wouldn’t consider a community college, but I have heard of many who have and were able to transfer into good schools.</p>

9

<p>I was in a similar situation to yours, 3.2 GPA and 1930 SAT, and I didn’t get into the schools I wanted to go to either. In the end, I transferred to a non-prestigious state school with similar prestige to a CC. I started to try and now have a 3.8 GPA and am transferring to the school that I originally tried for. </p>

<p>So, I think it’s definitely possible to transfer up, even after going to a CC.</p>

10

<p>Others can correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the UCs auto reject for GPAs that are sub 3.0</p>

<p>Your chances aren’t that great at the Cal Polys or Fullerton, either…I think they mostly accept students with above 3.0 GPAs. My nephew has recently been accepted to SLO, do acceptances come out first? </p>

<p>How much will your parents pay each year for your education? If they will pay a decent amount, then you should apply to some OOS schools with rolling admissions.</p>

<p>Is that your entire GPA??? Or is that your UC/Cal State GPA? What is your GPA including ALL of your classes (PE, electives, etc)??</p>

<p>Many schools count your entire GPA.</p>

11

<p>HOLY BEEP MAN. YOu and I have a VERY SIMILAR situation… I applied to the almost the same schools and my GPA and SAT and ACT are VERY SIMILAR except mine are a couple pts lower.</p>

12

<p>How did riverside reject you? email? I’ve been checking myUCR for the last 2 weeks everyday praying… =(</p>

<p>My parents are asian as well. My GPA is 2.7 SAT 1600 ACT 21. </p>

<p>My eyes LITERALLY POPPED UP since you’re situation is 99% as mine. I’ll be back in this thread tomorrow… its almost midnight…</p>

13

<p>From the UC website…</p>

<p>The University uses an Eligibility Index — a combination of GPA and test scores — to determine if you meet this requirement. The minimum GPA is 3.0 for California residents, 3.4 for nonresidents.</p>

<p>I imagine that this gets relaxed for certain recruited athletes, but does it get relaxed for regular students?</p>

14

<p>If you feel like you need a school with a bigger name, try looking out of state. </p>

<p>It sounds like you qualify for admission to Arizona State University. It’s more expensive, but not outrageously so. It’s one of the cheaper out-of-state options. </p>

<p>[Freshman</a> Admission Requirements, Preferential Deadlines and Steps | Arizona State University](<a href=“http://students.asu.edu/freshman/requirements]Freshman”>http://students.asu.edu/freshman/requirements)</p>

<p>Other nearby flagships are even less expensive.
New Mexico
Nevada-Reno
Nevada-Las Vegas </p>

<p>All seem to be still taking applications.</p>

15

<p>

Your standards may have risen, but your work ethic hasn’t. There’s no reason not to aim that high, but aiming doesn’t help if you don’t do the work to get there. You didn’t do the work in high school. Why should the schools of that caliber accept you, just because you think you should go there?</p>

<p>Now is the time for you to consider why you didn’t get a 3.0 in high school. Did you not work? Were you unable to do the work? Did you blow off assignments that were “beneath you” (just like you somehow feel that CC is beneath you)? What makes you think that you will work harder or do better in college?</p>

<p>Right now, you have to prove to colleges that you have what it takes to succeed there. There are a couple of options: community college is one - a 4.0 there would go a long way; succeeding in a work environment is another. Complaining about how unfair it is that you’ve reaped what you’ve sown won’t do it.</p>

16

<p>Hopefully his “regular” GPA is higher than 3.0. If it is, and his parents are willing to pay, he has other options outside of his state.</p>

<p>What is your total GPA (not your UC GPA)?</p>

17

<p>RedMangoose, If you get rejected, you go to a California Community College (CCC)</p>

<p>If you get over a 3.0 you are guaranteed into either UCSD, UCSB, UCI, or UCR under the TAG program. Just read your books and you will get much higher than 3.0.</p>

<p>If you get into one of the cal states you should still look into getting good grades there to transfer, or getting good grades at a CCC and transferring to a strong UC. What is your local CCC?</p>

18

<p>I know how you feel I will NOT go to cc, both my parents went said it was horrible, they had no social life and just worked because there was nothing else to do.</p>

<p>I applied to pretty much all reach schools to and one safety becuase I k ow that I could of had better grades in high school if I cared, the name of a school DOES matter when getting a job, If you go to a CSU instead of a UC you can transfer.</p>

19

<p>^^^</p>

<p>I don’t think all CCs are the same…certainly not in different states.</p>

<p>I have known some kids to go to Calif CCs in recent years, and they do seem to have more clubs/activities than they did before. Santiago Canyon, Fullerton CC, & Mount SAC seem to have more “going on” then perhaps others. I hear that Santa Barbara’s CC has a lot going on. </p>

<p>So, there may be some positive CC choices in Calif.</p>

20

<p>Same situation as OP… So my local CCs are Mt Sac or PCC. Mt sac is the closest to my home. I just got notification that I got rejected from CSULB and UCR. CSULA accepted me but I really dont want to go there. GPA: 2.7 SAT 1600 ACT 21 Cal poly pomona is my last hope now. Fullerton as well. UCM hopes are still alive. ( easier than UCR? ) Is it even possible to transfer from a CSU to a UC? What if I get to UCM and try to transfer to like UCI or UCSD? What is this tag program? If I go to a CC, I want AT LEAST UCI and UCSD… will be aiming for UCLA or USC.</p>