Hi,
So I am currently somewhat underwhelmed at my current school. I am just at the end of freshman year, and I applied to transfer to one other school which I got rejected from. I am currently trying to figure out how to spend the next year or so of my life. I suppose my options are resume schooling at my current institution, take a gap year, or go back home in LA and go to community college (what I’m leaning towards at the moment).
Here are numbers:
High School GPA: 2.7 (I had some unfortunate family situations which distracted me from schooling. I also attended a fairly prestigious private school known for having a difficult workload)
SAT: 1840 (Superscore)
College GPA: First semester 3.28 over 17 credits. Second semester grades aren’t finalized but I’m projecting a 3.4-3.6 over 16 credits.
ECs:
Worked as camp counselor for 2 summers
Production Assistant credit on documentary that is currently making its route around festivals and has accumulated many accolades
Interned at two fairly well-regarded entertainment agencies
Written, directed, and/or starred in various short films
Fairly proficient at guitar, piano and other instruments, currently writing and attempting to record and release an EP or album within the near future.
I am undecided at my current school but I would like to study something regarding Literature. I have had many teachers and professors compliment me on my writing style and I managed to maintain decent grades in History and English courses in HS despite my other missteps. I especially like Comparative Literature, as it incorporates elements of Sociology and History with a central focus on Lit.
If I were to go the community college route, I think I’d start by taking one course over the summer to soften the workload a tiny bit. This would be a bit difficult for me as I already have a job over the summer, and I would need to sign up for a night class. I realize that my Freshman GPA isn’t phenomenal, but it is an improvement and I am planning on improving more. I figure that with CC, I could at the very least maintain a 3.5 GPA, which would make me a fairly safe bet for UCLA, a college that I wouldn’t protest attending (UCLA’s transfer page states that most transfer students from CC have on or around a 3.5). I have no idea what courses at CC would make me a better candidate at other schools. I have some notable holes in my HS transcript (I never took Calc or Physics), would it be advisable to take these courses?
If I were to take a gap year, I would centralize my focus in the art/entertainment industry. I greatly enjoy writing, filmmaking, and recording. I have established connections within the music and film industry, as well as many friends who would be willing to collaborate with me or help me out.
Sorry about this vague, lengthy, and overly-parenthetical post. Let me know if more details would help, I’m just trying to lay out the brass tacks for now, details later if need be. Thanks so much for whatever input you may have!