Hi, this is my first post on the site. I recently turned 17, graduating a year early from online high school. My HS did not prepare me for the requirements of colleges. I have no recommendation letters. I haven’t been involved in any extracurriculars… my school doesn’t offer any extracurricular/leadership/community involvement opportunities and I never took interest in any. I also live in a rural area.
I’ve decided I want to major in photography. I would like to be able to go to a nicer school than a Community College or Technical Institute… somewhere I could meet some people who are intelligent and passionate about what they’re doing. My only “dream” for a school is that it be in a warmer climate (grew up in the PNW), definitely thinking California because I like it there, it’s familiar to me and I have some family there. I realize I’ll have to take likely a full year of CC classes before transferring to a “nicer” school because of my GPA. I’m going to have a 2.9 unweighted by the end of high school, which is unfortunate because I had the aptitude to have done much better. I got all A’s this year because I really started paying attention. My parents are older than average and can only remember when getting into college was much, much easier than it is today. They seem to think if I take a year at a CC that my high school GPA won’t matter, is this true?
I’m taking my SAT in June (haven’t actually registered yet). I have just over a month for prep, and have hardly cracked the book because I’ve been so busy with schoolwork. Anyhow, I’d just like some ideas on where I should go from here.
Just to be clear, when are you graduating? If you have not already been accepted somewhere your choices are limited at this point. If you graduate next year, you are on pace. If this year…can you delay graduation for a year? The reason is that it would help your GPA and your chances at scholarships as an entering freshman.
Once you have scores on the ACT or SAT you will have a little better idea with how you compete against traditional HS students. Your GPA is fairly low for the typical high-end schools that most discuss here. The devil, as they say, is in the details. Definitely helps to show improvement over time. It could be that your school is more difficult than traditional school and the GPAs of all of those students would be lower.
The CC route is valid, especially if you are planning to go to a state college. Out of state schools are going to cost a great deal more than staying local. Be sure to discuss finances before you pick a school. In many ways college is more difficult (read competitive) to get into nowadays, but you also have considerably more resources to find a school that fits you.
Do you absolutely have to graduate now? If you would attend your local public high school for one year, you would have a chance to improve your grades and get better advising about college applications. Your public high school is obligated to let you enroll if you haven’t graduated from high school yet and if you haven’t turned 18 before the first day of class in the fall. In fact, you could probably enroll right now. If you moved into the area today they would have to let you enroll for the rest of the term, so I don’t think there is any particular reason to deny you that option. Get in touch with the school district and find out.
If your parents could afford it, a year at a boarding school could also be an option for you. Many do offer admission to students who have completed high school but want to improve their grades or get better at their sports before going to college. For details about that kind of thing, read through the Boarding School Forum. Go to the main page where all of the forums are listed, and scrolling down to find that forum.
The most important thing for you to find out is how much money your parents have available to pay for your college education. Until you know that, you won’t know what your options are. There are a number of places that would accept you right now with a 2.9, but the only aid you would get would be federally determined need-based aid. You and your parents can run the Net Price Calculator at each website and see what the numbers look like. If your family owns a lot of land, those calculators might not be very accurate. In that case, you need to contact the financial aid office and ask how to estimate your aid package.
Most colleges and universities do not look at high school records if a transfer student will have finished two years of college before enrolling. Some don’t look at high school records if the transfer will have one year of college before enrolling. You need to read the specific details at each place’s website.
The out of state costs at public universities in California total about $50,000 each year. So it is likely that your best bet is to study in your home state.
Seems you have a lot of self education to do on this topic. And a bit late to start.
So you are graduating this spring and did not apply to any colleges for the fall? You want to go to a CC this fall or you want to start looking for a 4 year for next fall? Usually you apply in the fall for fall the following year. There are some colleges who admit for spring, though.
Some notes for you .
Your budget is an essential part of the selection.
SAT scores are somewhat to fairly important usually. Without knowing it there is some uncertainty, but you could look at colleges that take average scores, which would be consistent with your gpa. I think the registration deadline is May 8.
Also if you want to apply to a 4 year, you will have to check that you have the college prep required for admissions, see the admissions websites of each college.
CA colleges - designed for upper division transfer to UC and CSU after 2 years at a CC, not one year. It may be possible to go to one of the non-impacted campuses earlier, you will have to research that. Bear in mind that as an out of state student you have to pay the tuition supplement. I dont recall what it is at CC but CSU is about 33k and UC about 57k for total COA but this could increase during your years, even next year.
Look at Arizona schools too.
If you have the funds there are privates in CA that you can possibly go to.
Colleges that do let you transfer after one year at CC will still look at your HS transcripts and SAT. After 2 years is when it doesn’t matter at all or as much.
Photography isn’t an academic major. and many schools aren’t going to offer it. Are you thinking of going to art school? Do you have a portfolio now or the work done that you could prepare a portfolio from? or are you thinking of photojournalism or something like fine art, commercial art, design, advertising? You will need to check if colleges offer the program you want.
It’s not in the South, but you could get into Columbia College Chicago now for a.liberal arts BA with a Photography or Multimedia Photojournalism major for Fall 2015. It’s essentially a generous-admission college with a fabulous photo department and relatively low tuition (not much scholarships money), so the out of pocket costs are on par with a lot of other schools. No need for portfolio for admissions. Check it out.
Most four-year colleges will ask to see high school transcripts and test scores (if otherwise required) from students transferring with less than two years of college.
Woogzmama: I was looking to transfer to a 2 year program after one year of CC, not a 4 year University so much.
Dyiu13: I’m sticking to the West Coast as far as I know. I’m from Washington State. Thanks for the suggestion though : )
Torveaux: I graduate in 6 weeks, and haven’t applied anywhere. I have no plans for Fall right now. I figure CC’s are fairly open enrollment, that I could apply in the Summer. If I don’t start until Spring that would be okay. Also, I’m aware out-of-state is more expensive. Doesn’t change my opinion ; )
BrownParent: No, I didn’t follow the typical schedule of senior year. Yes, I am thinking of going to an art school, not just an academic college. I do have a photography portfolio, and in my opinion a very good one. My SAT is likely to be higher, maybe much higher, than my GPA suggests. Thanks for your advice : )
You don’t, I was just under the impression that if I went to a CC I would get a better impression GPA wise to get into a “better” school. No, I’ve never heard of that school, checked out their website. It looks gorgeous! I couldn’t find any tuition figures or whether it was a 2 or 4 year program though.
How are you paying for school? The best aid goes to freshmen, not transfers. Take the SAT and see if your scores qualify you for merit aid anywhere. Don’t take credit classes until you decide where to enroll full-time because many colleges will consider you a transfer student.
Look, Art schools don’t require a high academic gpa often. You get in on the strength of your portfolio. You need to do some research.
Be aware that freshman applicants have certain advantages. It is often easier to get in as a freshman than as a transfer. And if there is financial aid available it often goes exclusively for freshman. Transfers tend to lose out on aid. You need to do your research before you take any CC classes. Because once you do, you will likely be a transfer. For some schools that means only one class for others it means one semester.
Research what money your parents will spend and how many years. What colleges and programs are available. Their admissions requirements and costs.
Oh, that program is 20 thousand a year. I don’t know anything else about it except they have a deep program in photography.
Columbia College Chicago has almost no financial aid available other than federally determined aid. You would be able to borrow the federal student loans and that is it. So your family would need to be able to cover the full costs there minus your student loan. Lovely place right on the lake front in Chicago, but definitely not for anyone who can’t pay full freight.
As an answer to many of you considering budget as a top priority and asking about my plans, my parents are willing to pay for my education. Unfortunately due to investments and savings, it’s unlikely they would qualify for any need-based aid. Cost is always a factor, but in my case it isn’t the top issue.
BrownParent: Are you suggesting that I just take a gap year and work/travel/volunteer instead of take CC classes, because I can’t go as a freshman this fall, I didn’t apply anywhere. Also thanks for the recommendation, I’ll look into this place further. That’s not terrible for tuition if it were only a 2 year program… does your advice about being a freshman/transfer apply to 2 yr. programs as well? Also, where do you suggest I research more?
HappyMomof1: That wouldn’t be a location I would look into anyway, but thanks for your feedback : )
Erin’s Dad: Not every arts program is that expensive, that I do know. In any case, that isn’t the question I came here to ask, I wanted suggestions on what the best route for me to end up in a good position for getting an education somewhere besides Community College. Talking about $50k schools vs. Community College is a little extreme. I’d like to know from this forum whether people recommend me to get involved with community activities, volunteering, work, travel, time off, taking CC classes, etc. after I graduate, what would in general look good to a school? What should I do next? Not a drill on financial matters.
Parents are giving you good advice here. And even though you don’t want to hear about finances, it really is in your best interest to understand the way colleges work. If you choose to attend a community college, or take random college classes here and there, you lose your chance to apply as a freshman. Do you know there are some colleges that only accept freshman? No transfer students allowed. Or others where you can’t transfer in until your junior year.
Your situation has a lot of complicated possibilities, so of course you are going to get a wide range of opinions from strangers who don’t know your exact situation. Be open minded as you read the posts, look for common advice posted over and over again.
The internet is full of information. You can comb through this forum and learn so much information. You can read each individual college’s website. There are college review websites with student opinions posted. Google “College Navigator” and learn about the government’s site that has data from every school. You can search by location or by major. Find out your chances of acceptance at this site. Find out how many folks are in the major you want. Tons of info out there.
What interests you? What drives you to get up every day? Are you motivated by photography, do you have a yearning in your soul to travel, or are you more of a homebody? Are you busting at the seams to get out of your parents’ home and declare your independence? Would you be okay with working in a coffee shop for a few years, or are you ready to take on corporate america and make your mark there?
There is no one right answer. Look inward and try to focus on your gifts, abilities, and passions. How do you picture your life in 5 years, 10 years, etc? And then work backwards to figure out what is the first step in getting you there.
Have you considered any other potential majors? Start by at least looking at your geographic area (PNW). What careers are hot right now? What is booming? (Peruse the Seattle and Portland Business Journals, regularly would be best.) Who is hiring? Would you possibly be interested in any of those careers? Take some time to really look into it. I think you would do yourself a favor to cast a wide net at this stage. Isn’t Portland State a pretty good school? Not to mention University of Oregon and Oregon State of course. University of Portland? Reed College? Review their course catalogs and admission requirements. Find out all you can. What are their marquee programs? Get on their email lists. Follow them (admissions office, dean, professors, departments) on twitter. Visit? At least know what is available in your own back yard, so to speak. Would web design/web development/graphic design complement your interest in photography?