Help please. What should I do next? No one around me can answer or suggest anything.

Parent Cafe
1

<p>(I originally posted this in "College Search & Selection," but was told that it is better suited here. Well, here goes nothing)</p>

<p>Okay, so a little background information would help you to understand the questions I will ask later on, as well as why I don't already know the answers myself. Also, because I may qualify for some grants, loans or scholarships that you may know of.</p>

<p>Starting with my parents:</p>

<p>My biological father I've only met when I was seven and on the day of my graduation. I don't talk to him much, but he paid child support, and I don't hold anything against him. My mom has been jobless for as long as I can remember. She did go to college and became a medical assistant, but only worked very briefly when I was still in elementary school. My step-father is disabled. He's been this way since my mom married him. None of them work, nor have they for my entire time in high school. We get food stamps, and are on housing. Despite what may sound like poor living conditions, we live in a two story house and I can honestly say that I've never gone hungry.</p>

<p>As for me:</p>

<p>I am an 18-year-old male born in San Jose, California. But I now reside in Merced County (also in California).</p>

<p>I am both Black (African-American) and White (Caucasian). My grandmother calls this Mulatto, and seeing as how the spell-check doesn't come up while typing that in, I suppose it is a politically correct term. I didn't know that until just now.</p>

<p>In high school, I wasn't a very happy teen. I'm still not, somewhat, but I'm a heck of a lot better. I was actually very, deeply depressed. And this wasn't a typical teenage pubescent stage (I regularly went in to see a doctor about my depression, and I would have been on meds had I not declined). For the sake of my comfort, I'd rather not divulge information so openly about why I was depressed, but I felt the need to describe this part so that you may grasp part of what I went through, and to understand this next bit.</p>

<p>Since I was so depressed, I didn't get very good grades. All of my teachers were "disappointed" in me because...well....I think this quote from my English teacher sums it up...</p>

<p>"He's a brilliant kid, and really, I believe even that to be an understatement. He does great on his tests when he wants to. But overall he just doesn't apply himself."</p>

<p>And no...I didn't talk in class either. I just sat there and stared at the wall and/or bit my fingernails/cuticles until class ended. It was like this, six periods a day, for a whole four years. But, I managed to do "just enough to get by" and actually graduate.</p>

<p>So, now it's almost the end of the year, and I've been job hunting. That hasn't been working out, so instead of wasting time, I need to go back to school. This is where you, the community at CC, get to try and help this poor, old soul (That's comic relief, unless you were already laughing at me .</p>

<p>What school should I go to? (more background info)</p>

<p>For so long, my mind was set on just PASSING high school. Now I've done it. Yay. But I have not taken an SAT or an ACT (and it wouldn't be a stretch to say that I know EXACTLY what they are either). I also don't know what college I want to go to (but have a few ideas). As far as I what I WANT to study goes, I'm interested in the following:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Music: Had it not been for music, I wouldn't have made it through high school. I've been playing the piano for almost seven years now. I've been playing the guitar since my 17th birthday, and I've been mixing and recording on computers since I was 15. I read sheet music. With that said, I know music rather well. I was thinking about going to the Musician's Institute (MI) in Hollywood to major in either Audio Engineering, Music Business, Guitar Craft, Independent Artist, or Music Video Film & TV (Audio Engineering being my first choice).</p></li>
<li><p>Writing, English, & Literature: I've been writing my own poetry, lyrics, short-stories, analysis essays since I was 14. I always thought that teaching high school English would be a great job. I plan on publishing my own works someday. I have no clue what school I would go to for this, but I do know that this ties together well with my next interest (film anyway).</p></li>
<li><p>Film and Photography: I like photography, although I don't have much experience. But I LOVE film. I would like to write and direct my own movie someday. I took drama class in high school, and it's one of the few classes that I received a grade higher than a "C" in. I have experience making my own short films, although I never finished them because of the whole depression thing. Plus my family was always over here, the over there. So I really never had any time. I haven't looked into very many schools for this.</p></li>
<li><p>Video Games: At one point in time, this would have been my first choice, but I matured a little more in the artsy direction (Not that I don't consider VG's to be art). But the years that I spent studying the video game industry, how games are built, and the history of gaming, have really left an mark on me. So I really know a lot about computers and video games. I have experience in non-malicious hacking (and malicious, but I never did anything illegal. Okay, some illegal, but not morally wrong. EX: I've never hacked an email or anything like that). The only school I ever looked at for this area is The University for Advancing Technology (UAT) in Tempe, Arizona.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>To clarify what I'm asking, in case it isn't quite clear. I mainly need info on:</p>

<p>*My next move should be?</p>

<p>*Possible schools for me? Are the ones I looked into out of my league?
Note: I am willing to move out of state, but not WAaaaaay out of state.</p>

<p>*Financial aid, and grants etc. (How duz work? doi?)?</p>

<p>*What about my grades? Am I totally stuck because of them?</p>

<p>That's basically it....</p>

<p>If you've actually read this far, you have my thanks, and my sincerest apologies for making your eyes bleed, but I really do need help. No one around me has been able to successfully answer any of my questions about college. Any ideas, comments, thoughts, questions etc. will help. I'm at a total standstill right now, but I don't want to stay that way. Thanks again.</p>

2

<p>Because of your high school background, and your lack of financial resources, your best bet would be to enroll in a community college. You do not need to take the SAT or ACT for that, but they will have their own placement test you’ll have to take. It’s not a pass/fail thing, though, it just lets them know at what level you should start in basic subjects.</p>

<p>If you follow a general course of study, designed to help you transfer to a 4-year college, that will give you the opportunity to fill a lot of general ed requirements you’ll have to meet, as well as do some exploring in your various areas of interest. Then after two years, you can transfer into a 4-year public or private university. Which universities those might be will depend on your success in your first two years at the community college and on financial resources.</p>

<p>For now, though, get yourself to the community college. Talk to an advisor about a general program designed to transfer into a 4 year college. Talk to them also about financial aid and how that works. You may well be eligible for a full Pell grant, which will probably cover tuition, fees, and books entirely. You may have to make other arrangements for your general living expenses, unless you can live with your parents. You can also borrow money (student loans) but avoid that as much as you possibly can.</p>

<p>Another thing that is possible at a community college is a two year degree or certificate in certain vocational fields. Audio engineering may be one of them, depending on the specific community college.</p>

3

<p>Why don’t you go to trade school and become an electrician, or go to community college and get some sort of tech associates degree. Then, you can see what comes next.</p>

4

<p>'rentof2’s advice is very good. Get to a community college, talk to the advisors.</p>

<p>You write well, and intelligently. You clearly have the capacity to learn more and to succeed. Don’t sell yourself short, but don’t go all grandiose either. Stay within yourself, and take it step by step.</p>

<p>Please, please, please be careful of for-profit scam training schools. (I don’t know that the Musician’s Institute or the University of Advancing Technology are such things, but they sure sound like it.) They will load you up with loans and give you a worthless certificate. Don’t be trying to shortcut things! That’s why it makes sense to start at a community college, establish a track record of academic success, and then see where that can take you. Real colleges provide training in audio engineering and computer science, too.</p>

<p>As for maybe being an English teacher – that’s sort of a surprise. What would you do with a student like you in your class?</p>

5

<p>go to a CC, work really hard for 2 years and get the grades you are capable of and you WILL be able to transfer to a 4 yr U. Set your sights on USC, which has great programs in the areas you are interested in as well as generous FA for transfer students. They accept almost 1000 transfer students each year. Take a look at their admissions page to see if you will need to take the SAT in order to be eligible to transfer in[ I’m guessing the answer is yes.] If so, why don’t you self study for it this summer[ don’t forget to study up on math] and take the SAT next Oct, to see how you do.</p>

6

<p>EnDZYm3, the advice offered by 'rentof2 and JHS ia sound, and I agree in their assessment.</p>

<p>For basic financial aid info, spend time in the financial aid forum [Financial</a> Aid & Scholarships - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/]Financial”>Paying for College - College Confidential Forums). There are extremely knowledgeable parents and a few financial aid professionals who can direct you to the proper threads and outside resources for you to gain a working knowledge of the federal need based aid system.</p>

<p>Secondly, if you are considering a music path, please spend some time in the music major forum. There are posters with the knowledge and ability to assess your needs in selecting a music program. There are California cc’s that will allow you to fulfill a number of requirements for entrance to some of the UC and other California public schools, many of which have very good music programs. Please be very aware that the Musicians Institute is a for profit institution, unlike the bulk of schools discussed on CC. It may well serve your purpose, it may not. I can direct you to some threads with info. As with ANY program, research fully. If nothing else, please read these two threads.<br>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/460187-how-many-music-voice-performance-majors-find-jobs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/460187-how-many-music-voice-performance-majors-find-jobs.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/258796-so-you-want-music-major-one-familys-experience.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>There are other posters here, within the College Search and Selection and Admissions forums with far better knowledge to serve your purely academic questions and needs. Use the resources available to you here fully.</p>

<p>You are an effective writer. You may make a fine educator. You may well flourish in any number of environments. The trick is finding it. Since no else mentioned it, I’d suggest examining the CTCL schools (Colleges That Change Lives). There are prior threads here within CC, and info is also available by googling.</p>

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

7

<p>Since I do not think it was mentioned - if you are going to a community college next year you would still file the FAFSA and the CAL GRANT forms by March 2nd - that way you can see if you are eligible for any tuition and books assistance. When I went to community college I receive a Grant which paid for my tuition, books, and gave me living money on top of that.</p>

8

<p>It sounds like you would really enjoy a community college. You seem eager to grow and learn and use your considerable talents. I’m not familiar with CA schools, but doing a search online I found Merced College, one of 109 Community Colleges in CA. Their advisors should be able to get you started. You should probably speak with a guidance counselor from your High School. They can advise you on which schools are legitimate. Please follow thru with this, you seem like you’d be a great success and I think you’d feel very proud of yourself! Good Luck and keep us posted.</p>

9

<p>I would also think about taking a year off- and volunteering with Americorps maybe with the cityyear program which is quite structured.
The stipend you will receive will not be quite enough to pay for room and board on your own, but they will help find housing to share.
You will also receive an education award at the end of your term of service, but more importantly you will have been exposed to different careers- mentors and worked on skills that will serve you well in college and on the job.
[City</a> Year](<a href=“http://www.cityyear.org/index_ektid13309.aspx]City”>http://www.cityyear.org/index_ektid13309.aspx)</p>

<p>Both of my daughters took a year off before college- one with CityYear, the other put a gap year together herself.</p>

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<p>@'rentof2; poetgrl; JHS; menloparkmom; violadad; missemily516; BonTon; emeraldkity4 </p>

<p>You guys have no idea how much I appreciate the help. I’ve been trying to look up info on what to do next for a long time, and you guys just helped change everything for the better. Thanks a lot.</p>

<p>So the general plan appears to be: </p>

<ol>
<li>Go to a CC.</li>
<li>Get the BEST POSSIBLE grades.</li>
<li>Transfer.</li>
</ol>

<p>It sounds like a great plan!</p>

<p>@JHS</p>

<p>Quote:</p>

<p>Please, please, please be careful of for-profit scam training schools. (I don’t know that the Musician’s Institute or the University of Advancing Technology are such things, but they sure sound like it.)</p>

<p>YES, YES, YES, that is one of the few things that I know to avoid. And the fact that both those choices sound to you like “scammers” only adds to my suspicion. I tried to look up as much information as I can about those colleges and see if they were just lame certificate programs and I couldn’t find much. However, I’m still searching for stuff like that before I commit.
But the reason I look out for those so much, is because my mom actually fell for one of those traps. She warned me not to EVER take a shortcut. If they mention certificate, stay away. </p>

<p>Thanks again guys. I really appreciate the help. I know I said that already, but if I could hug you guys right now, I would. I’ve been so lost for a long time, and you guys are really helping me pull my thoughts together into a plan…a course of action.</p>

<p>And @JHS (again)</p>

<p>Quote:</p>

<p>As for maybe being an English teacher – that’s sort of a surprise. What would you do with a student like you in your class? </p>

<p>I would slap him. Just kidding. XD. No, but really, I don’t know. I suppose when that time comes, I will surely find out.</p>

<p>Once again (last time now), Thanks a lot. :)</p>

11

<p>Agree with the CC suggestions. When you decide on which one, look at their transfer rates to UCs. Some have higher transfer rates than others. I agree with the poster who suggested USC, but if you decide English is really what you love, work really hard, get good grades and aim for UC Berkeley which has one of the top English programs in the country - (or at least it did a few years back.) Good luck.</p>

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<p>Hmmm…I didn’t know that about UC Berkeley. Well now I do.</p>

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<p>E-man… The California Universities are great. Berkeley, Davis, LA, there are ten–including one new one in Merced. (Michelle Obama gave the commencement speech there last June.) CA also has very good Community Colleges, and provide a good start. Thing is, you need to keep up the grades, stay focused, and be sure to head to a 4 year degree. Sometimes that’s not always easy.</p>

<p>Unemployment right now is tough, especially for you: 18 years old, a HS graduate, and in CA. California is going through very tough economics especially. School is a good choice actually for you right now. Go to school. Work towards a degree. Stay focused. Develop a plan for the time you’ll graduate. Make good contacts at school. Towards the end of your 4 years (starting in 2nd year), take an internship and work with career planning. Allow adults to guide you, as you’ve done here. Good luck!</p>

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<p>I hope your depression is lifting and you can embrace your own life. These years are precious for building those little connection things–the synapses, the axons the dendrites… in your brain at an optimal time…which is why many men and women of past generations credit military service with saving their minds and putting them in a state of personal discipline that led to civilian college and skilled training. It is tough to get on the really bear down and study lifestyle if you do not have a parent example but it can be done. You are clearly smart and college capable right now. I agree that mooning about re the ACT and SAT is a waste of time…so go to community college ASAP and take the hardest curriculum your brain will manage every semester…remember that many many of us posting here are college educated and many of us were also very poor during 4-8 years of college. Education is a choice you make that enhances more of your life than your job prospects.
Do not make the mistake of stumbling on your first courses at the Community College…the race goes to the one who is most determined. You will have to concentrate to get the entry level courses if you were not altogether well in high school. </p>

<p>In one’s 20s before raising the children that may come to you in life, this is your one and only chance to be proud of being poor while you sacrifice time to study. It is a badge of honor in this society to delay gratification and material things long enough to gain one’s education. Not only that but college education…if you are now ready for it…is innately rewarding and puts you in reach of others wtih your abilities and talents for the social ife that also should be important to you…it is time to find your “chosen” circle of friends who are also like family. If you are from non college educated parents (I had one parent with a GIBill education post WWII service at the bottom of the NCO pool but no females had been in college before me)…you may find that they do not comprehend your dream or know how to support you. This is where making friends your age and bonding with 2-3 adults at the community college pays off. You will need references and mentors as well as peers who going your direction.
Don’t worry so much about your vocation…get your first year of math and social sciences under your belt and make good grades. Vocational counseling will follow once your innate talent is recognized.
Good luck…you should probably read that self help book (although I loathe most self help books) about the Habits of Highly Effective People.</p>

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<p>I posted this on your other thread, but will repost here in case you missed it.</p>

<p>Do you live close enough to Merced to commute? Your nearest community college might be Merced College. I agree with the other posters who recommend that you take courses at a CC for the next couple of years, and really apply yourself. College is a chance for a new beginning. Best of luck to you.</p>

<p>[Merced</a> College Home Page](<a href=“http://www.mccd.edu/]Merced”>http://www.mccd.edu/)</p>

16

<p>One thing to check for with places like the Musician’s Institute or the University of Advancing Technology is regional accreditation. In many cases, coursework taken at institutions without regional accreditation is not recognized by colleges/universities that are regionally accredited. If you would decide to transfer, or apply to grad school later on, you might face difficulties. </p>

<p>Some national accrediting bodies are more well respected than others, and in certain specific cases a degree from one of their accredited programs is a good option. However, this is something that you would really have to investigate carefully before enrolling.</p>

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<p>I don’t want to steer you to a music path. The two threads I referenced earlier provide enough info and objective opinion to make anyone think long and hard about the rewards and pitfalls of such a path.</p>

<p>But if you are interested in the types of programs offered at Musicians Institute, Full Sail, and others of that ilk, please start here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/787110-music-industry-program-major-minor-help.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/787110-music-industry-program-major-minor-help.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>It’s quite probably the definitive thread within CC on these disciplines. (If anyone knows of a better one, please add a link.) It’s as good a starting point as any, and addresses options within the typical cc and 4 year not for profit educational structure.</p>

18

<p>I met someone this summer who teaches chemistry at a community college. She told me about a young man she’d had in one of her classes who was taking an introductory chemistry course to qualify for a plumbing certificate. She said he turned out to have an amazing talent for chemistry. From having limited ambitions and plans – and apparently no resources – this young man now holds a PhD in Chemistry and is doing teaching and research at a university. </p>

<p>Lesson: Don’t sell yourself short. Do your best. Go for it!</p>

19

<p>as the mother of violists, I agree with violadad. don’t go that route if you don’t have any music education under your belt yet…my sons took 12 years of lessons and are still not equipped in any way for success in the music industry–they are merely competent. instead, completely immerse and commit at the community college and begin your music education at the same time while you are there and find a first niche in a performance outlet…I wouldn’t dare suggest which direction but there are many ways to join in performance in voice and instruments without years of private lessons under your belt. as your first two years of education conclude, you can then take a shrewd lookabout and see if your next step includes a college with a music department that holds classes in something you feel you have potential to continue to grow in. I hope music is more part of your life throughout all and that someday it is a gift you include in your own children’s lives.<br>
Rooting for you. Begin and have faith in your great potential.</p>

20

<p>From your writing, which is excellent, you seem to be a person of some talent and insight.</p>

<p>It might help you to know that a huge number of people your age are depressed, including clinical depression. I hope that you have gotten good help with that, because it does not have to make a “victim” out of you. It is a tough thing, but many people overcome it, or learn to work around it in some way.</p>

<p>I would recommend trying just one or two classes at CC when you first start off, just to build your confidence. If you get A’s, which you are obviously competent enough to achieve, that will help motivate you in the next semester. It is also a chance to actually enjoy that class or classes, which is a great experience after high school, where academics can often seem meaningless. Teachers at CC are top notch. There is even a new tv show on CC’s, inspired by the producer’s very positive experience taking Spanish at a CC with his wife.</p>

<p>Plenty of people turn their lives around at your age, and even much older. Some of the most successful people had periods in their lives similar to what you describe. You can do it!</p>

<p>But take it slow and steady if you can until the path becomes clear: then you can get fired up, but not until you have found some clarity by exploring things at CC with a spirit of caution and hard work.</p>

<p>Good luck and congratulations on your great writing skills!</p>

<p>p.s. hope you can continue with your music and find a mentor for that too: it does not have to be a college major or a job to provide life-long satisfaction and happiness</p>