Help me parents, please!

Parents Forum
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<p>Hello all! I was advised by a fellow CCer to post this here to get a broader array of opinions. I figured since most of you have been through this process with your child that maybe you could help me also. So, here we go.</p>

<p>First semester of freshman year I didn't do too hot( how may times have you heard that?). I got 2 Cs(Gasp<em>), a D( Super gasp</em>), and 4 Bs.</p>

<p>There is a story behind this( my counselor wrote about it in her recommendation) The second semester of my freshman year I got straight As and one B.</p>

<p>Sophomore year, straight As</p>

<p>Junior year I got straight As.</p>

<p>I'm expecting the same for senior year, but the obvious concern is with the first semester of freshman year. I do have some pretty good extracurricular and community service hours 1000+ and some rewards here and there.</p>

<p>Basically I want you all to tell me what do you think my chances are of getting in a good school.</p>

<p>I am an African american
First Generation
Income about 20,000 with 6 in the house hold(me included, not sure if that's a hook or not)
I go to what would be considered a "bad" school, so I don't know if i'll be looked down upon because of that.
School's average ACT is a 15( I know...)
I am taking dual-enrollment and PSEO( I know this isn't a hook)
My GPA uw is a 3.7( I am ranked 1 in my class of 114)
ACT:27(E:30, R:27, M:25, S:24)</p>

<p>I will be taking SAT2s soon. I would have already but my counselors don't inform students of this because, well, look at my school's average ACT score again. So I'm just now finding out about the test.</p>

<p>Alright, that's about it. The story behind those bad grades is a rather simple one. I had an abusive Uncle. I was going to just give up ( as you can tell from my grades) but I knew if I didn't man up then my siblings would never have a positive role model in their life and I couldn't let my circumstances affect their future, so I did what I had to do and got my grades together. I know no one here will be able to tell "exactly" what my chances are, but I am still interested in hearing your thoughts.</p>

<p>And last but not least, I ask to be chance for good college only because I don't want to go to another below average school. Throughout high school I come to realize that there are other high schools out there offering more advance classes and a better education. I want courses that are actually hard to get an A in( I got A's doing dual enrollment and I felt that those As were the first REAL As that I've ever gotten; I enjoyed the challenge). I'd like to hear where you think I'd fit in( I do have colleges in mind but I want YOUR opinion). And please, be as honest and brutal as possible.</p>

<p>I applied to OSU(accepted), Alabama State University(Accepted) , Miami-Oh, University of Miami, and Howard so far. Do you all have any "match" colleges I should consider looking into( I'm interested in majoring in Biology)? I want to become an physician( anesthesiologist or internal medicine). Thanks in advance!</p>

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<p>It looks like you are on track to do great things. My advice is not to worry about freshman year. I do not know anything about the colleges you posted, but I think you will do just fine. Good luck Senior year!</p>

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<p>Congrats on assembling a very good record under some tough circumstances! I think your chances of going to a decent school and getting some generous financial aid are very good. (Hopefully other parents will chime in with what range of schools you should be shooting for) Again I applaud your hard work and determination. Those traits will serve you well in your college career!</p>

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<p>Some colleges do not even look at HS freshman year grades. Physician here- any of the schools you are accepted to will be fine for getting into medical school. Consider finances when deciding which college to attend. OSU and Miami-Ohio sound like your instate schools and both are likely top feeders for instate medical schools. Consider the cost of the other two schools. Howard is the traditionally black college- nice perhaps ethnically but perhaps not as strong academically as your other listed schools. </p>

<p>There is no reason to apply to dozens of schools. Look at the academic, social and financial fit. Be sure you have applied to your state flagship if it isn’t in Ohio. I suspect that no matter where you attend college you will apply yourself and not get carried away with college life- drinking, frat parties et al. I presume you have discussed things with your guidance counselor- a much better source for you than random CC parents who may have no knowledge of your state et al. I have to add that while OSU has better football my state flagship has better academics!</p>

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<p>Are you from Ohio? How about Denison University? They are highly interested in URM and first generation students, and have a strong endowment. Pre-professional advising as well. There are many colleges to which you could apply, but you should figure out size, geographic location, rural/urban, etc. Good luck! </p>

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<p>I think you’ve gotten good advice. Another possibility is to look into the “Posse Foundation” programs - if it is too late for you to join a “posse” then you could at least look at colleges that support accepting those students, so that you will be guaranteed a nice peer group of other African American young men and women who are attempting to do exactly what you are: take an excellent work ethic and apply it to get a top notch college education and make a difference for your family and community. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thank you all very much! I have some received some good advice from all of you. I will differently look more into Denison University tomorrow and the posse foundation( if it is not to late).</p>

<p>Yes, I live in Ohio! @wis75‌ I think you are right about Howard probably not being as strong academically( which is something I really want in a college), but it will come down to the financial aid package. What is your state(I am assuming Michigan lol). I applied for Ohio State’s Morrill scholarship, but I won’t hear back until later in January I believe. I have also applied to a few other scholarships( I’m a coca semifinalist, so we’ll see how that plays out).</p>

<p>If there is anyone else viewing this and has suggestions , please share! </p>

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<p>Howard is a phenomenal school which will provide you with amazing opportunities. Perhaps, see if there is a Howard forum on here where you can ask specific questions. </p>

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<p>One of the top students at D’s school is now at Howard majoring in I believe, bio, with the intent to go into medicine. His high scores and grades, like yours, got him substantial financial aid. This young man got into a number of schools and had at least 3 full-ride or near full-ride offers, including one from a PWI. He too wanted a challenge in college and he has found it at Howard. He recently talked to D and expressed his conviction that he chose the right college. The high school is a rigorous STEM school and he has not found himself bored or unchallenged at all. </p>

<p>There is very little traffic on CC by HBCU students or parents, but there are a few. Howard does have a pretty comprehensive list of alumni chapters on their website, though. You could try contacting someone in your area and ask what they think of the school for your goals. Good luck to you!</p>

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<p>I think with your class standing and even with your ACT scores, you have a very good chance of getting into some top tier schools. Since you already got into some good schools, why not apply to some lottery schools (Ivies and top 20s). </p>

<p>I would consider large unis rather than smaller LACs because you maybe more comfortable at schools with more diversity. I would apply to Northwestern, Cornell, Duke, USC, Lehigh, and even Harvard or Yale. All of those schools require killer essays. It is now Dec 10. Do you think you would be able to write additional essays for those schools? All of those top 20 schools would provide you with full financial aid if you should get in.</p>

<p>One caveat is if you were able to get into one of those top tier schools, you would need to work extra hard to catch up with other students, and there is a possibility your grades may suffer initially.</p>

<p>Good luck. Very impressed with how you were able to pull yourself together.</p>

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<p>Personally, I would not go to a tippy top school unprepared- too much pressure adjusting to college level work at any school, let alone with the added pressure cooker environment. The big advantage of Ivy would be financial aid. There are pros and cons. You want to pick a school where you will be accepted, be able to afford, be able to flourish and be able to graduate. Also you don’t want to get weeded out immediately- you want to accomplish your goals (which could change.)</p>

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<p>Another physician and from Ohio - attended undergrad and med school at OSU. I found OSU great for med school, but too large for my tastes undergrad. Personally, I would look at Ohio Wesleyan. At least in the past they had some large scholarships, are good in sciences and are supportive. I had a friend who did graduate work at Stanford and UofM after OWU and has wonderful things to say about her undergrad experiences. Good luck to you. You’ve shown amazing perservierance and are just the kind of person that medicine needs!</p>

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<p>I agree, out of the frying pan and into the fire if you apply to a place like Harvard and get in. You have done very well for yourself and are clearly motivated. But you also have to be realistic about the level of work you will find yourself committed to should you go to a school like Harvard. I think you are on track to do great with the plan you are making for yourself. Keep working hard, and by the time you are ready for med school, by then you will probably be ready to cope with the most demanding of schools. If you want to practice medicine, it is the medical school that will make the difference, not where you do your undergrad work. Best of luck to you!</p>

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<p>Maybe Morehouse; that will be a seriously supportive environment, as you play catch up from your high school</p>

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<p>@uaprophet‌ @sseamom‌ I found out today at school that the assistant principal’s daughter attends Howard. I will speak with her today on how they made that decision, and I will also see if I can speak to her daughter to ask about her experience there thus far. </p>

<p>@oldfort‌ Thanks! I actually did apply to Harvard SCEA( I find out tomorrow around 5:00 EST). I did not list it because I don’t exactly know what is going to happen. I am willing to pump out the additional essays. I will apply to some of the top 20s( especially the ones you listed), but I will also keep in mind what @naviance‌ and @Lindagaf‌ said about jumping out of the frying pan and into fire(lol). I realize this can happen, but if I do get accepted into a top 20 that pays for everything, assuming that the aid at other schools isn’t enough, I will just have to work harder. </p>

<p>Any more opinions?</p>

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<p>You sound like a good kid. Best of luck to you. </p>

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<p>Yes, you have worked hard and I hope you end up with a lot of choices. At that point, you can compare financials and also see which college you feel would fit you best. </p>

<p>Since you have been accepted at your in state already, you can aim for some top colleges as well as some scholarships at colleges- as I suggested on the other thread. Scholarships at colleges sometimes come with other opportunities such as research, so they are something to consider.</p>

<p>I can add another possible choice- excellent college, should meet financial need— Emory U. I think others have already suggested Vanderbilt, U Richmond</p>

<p>Your guidance counselor can help you get application fee waivers from some of the schools as they can add up.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/feewaiver/pages/default.aspx”>http://www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/feewaiver/pages/default.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Another thing to consider, when you see your choices, is how the college meets need- such as loans, or grants so you can consider how much debt each one would involve. This is an important consideration, especially if med school is in the future, because that means more loans for just about all students. </p>

<p>You can return and post your choices and cost if you wish for some advice then too.</p>

<p>Good luck to you. </p>

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<p>@Pennylane2011 - I nearly always agree with your advice, but in terms of considering Emory/Vanderbilt/U Richmond - how are they in terms of racial diversity?</p>

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<p>Go to Morehouse or Howard (if affordable) or any other good affordable HBCU, any instate affordable school, or any private that will give you very good aid.</p>

<p>I agree that you need to go somewhere that will be supportive of your med school goals, and has very good assistance, tutoring, and advising.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that since it sounds like you’re attending an underprivileged HS, then likely your foundation will not be strong in math and sciences. Be sure to stay on top of things starting from the get-go. Seek help and tutoring early on if needed…and likely it will be simply because your classmates will likely have gone to better schools. </p>

<p>I think that if you do well as an undergrad, you won’t have any trouble getting into med school. Good luck!!</p>

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<p>Fretfulmother- I was considering those schools because I understand that they meet full need so I was trying to expand the choices. As to diversity, I am not certain and that is something this student may want to look into further. </p>

<p>I also agree that some of the HBCUs are excellent choices and recommended some on another thread. This student would qualify for some of the scholarships.</p>

<p>Ultimately I hope he ends up with some good choices to consider.</p>