I’m at the end of my junior year, and my GPA is horrific. I was sick/rundown for about a week, which caused me to lose major points on a book report, and I got a “B” in english. Granted, it was like an 88, but STILL. I needed that english grade. I’m dying in Pre-Calc, I’m lucky if I’ll scrape by with a C. And believe me, three years of intense math/science when i SUCK at math/science has ravaged my once-respectable GPA. It’s seriously at about a 3.3 now.
What the hell am I going to do? I’m dying to get into Bryn Mawr, and now that dream has been completely and totally raped.
Any suggestions?
<p>Re-align that dream--and "raped" in not a term to be used in such a way. Actually you pretty much did it to yourself so it's reality check time. There are many good schools that will still want you.</p>
<p>One thing you should consider is how to improve your academic skills. If you raise your grades next year that trend will help, and you'll need good study skills in college anyway. What you've done so far isn't working well, I think you'll agree, and one tongue-in-cheek definition of insanity is "doing the same thing and expecting different results". Clearly something has to change.</p>
<p>The best book I've ever seen about study skills is called "What Smart Students Know" and was written by a cofounder of the Princeton Review SAT prep course. It really lays out everything you need to do to study any topic effectively, and has advice based on the type of material (science, literature, etc). I saw the book well after college and it has everything it took me blood, sweat, and tears to figure out about how to do well in school plus plenty I never did figure out! I think every student should own a copy of this book.</p>
<p>Yeah, I did it to myself. My inability to understand calculus is within my control.</p>
<p>Ok, Starved Artist, hard to assess the situation when we don't have enough facts. What kind of school are you attending, what kind of courses have you been taking, any AP test results, what are the SAT2 numbers? What are your SAT1 numbers? I know a kid who is at Cornell with a 3.2 (C's in the sciences) from a very good prep school. So you may well have a good chance to get into Bryn Mawr. However, look at some other women's colleges like Simmons in Boston, Wells in upstate NY (now becoming coed!) that may also suit you. Goucher is increasing enrollment so it will be a good admissions bargain next year in my opinion. Chatham in Pittsburgh is a great school, not to mention a number of women's schools in the South.</p>
<p>Starved Artist,</p>
<p>We all make our own way in life. Though it seems many on the CC board stress out over going to a particular college or their life will be ruined, I can assure you from experience quite the opposite is true.</p>
<p>In regards to calculus, I didn't even get that far. Geometry was my undoing in high school. If memory serves me correctly, I got D's. It did not ruin my life.</p>
<p>Somehow, in spite of my extremely limited math ability, I have built a pretty successful small business, have managed to stay married for 28 years and have two wonderful children. </p>
<p>My college resume includes brief stints at two junior colleges and one 4 year college. You haven't heard of any of them. My only degree is in the school of hard knocks. I am sure you will far surpass my college career without trying too hard. Where you attend college does not give you success in life. You make that success yourself.</p>
<p>Best wishes to you,</p>
<p>~gnusasaurus</p>
<p>Dear Starved Artist:
A 3.3 is not a terrible grade point average and many students endure spells of ill health that make things tough. Don't get so discouraged! Really...there is a positive game plan out there for your for college admissions and a list of schools that are likelies for you. Good schools, too!</p>
<p>Who is to say you won't get in Bryn Mawr yet...we don't know that. But we do know you should open up to a broader set of possibilities. After that, it is up to you to love your college and be your best self.. you can be a "success" with rewarding paths ahead without top math talent. Or math may come more easily to you next year or the next.</p>
<p>You need to slow down, don't overfocus on Bryn Mawr, shop around, and catch on that "to know Thyself" is a lifetime job. Granted at your age, Self is a bit more elusive and undefined but you have a bright future if you get more constructive. I know it is hard to think about marketing yourself for college but it is a task that has to be done even when you are not sure where you are headed.</p>
<p>Please do know that most of us are offended by the use of "rape" in relation to something like grades or admission status issues. I know it is a trend to throw this work around a lot these days but out of respect for the large pecentage of younger and older women out there who have had real victimization experiences...uuuuhhhh...it sounds pretty whiny and insensitive to use a word that defines assault in this context.</p>
<p>If you bring your strengths and weaknesses to this Forum in a constructive way, you will get lots of good support and advice. Why don't you begin by reading up in a couple college admission advice books? With a few months of thoughtful review of self and options, you can be somewhere at 18 in college where you can be very happy.</p>
<p>My inability to run the 40 yard dash in under 4.4 seconds kept me out of the NFL too. You are what you are and if you can't do advanced math--well engineering and most tech jobs are out of the question. It's not your fault but it IS a limitation you have to accept and deal with like an adult--not a whiner.</p>
<p>using the word "raped" fit aptly.</p>