So basically I’m that student that from looking at my grades, you tell me I should just drop out. I didn’t try at all throughout my first 3 years of high school. ALL MY REPORT CARDS HAVE Fs. Now I’m wondering, if I try my absolute best and attain really impressive grades for the next 2 years (since I don’t have enough credits to graduate next year) and retake the SAT and get a really good score, what would you say my chances be of applying and getting accepted into a 4-year college as opposed to enrolling in community college after high school?
CC is a terrific opportunity to reinvent yourself as a stellar student, don’t look at it as a negative, but a positive. Do you best from here on out though! Many CCs are excellent, cost less, and in some states have a developed pathway to 4 yr schools. Can you go to CC instead of the extra year at HS? Because you just might find it a better fit.
Of course you can. Depending on your own ability to pay and academic jnterests. Two years of excellent t grades and decent scores will get you into loads of schools. Especially if you have resources. But even without there are options. UNLV university of Alaska u Maine university of New Mexico to name a few excellent schools.
Now go make it happen
Yes, if you pull it together and get good grades and raise your ACT/SAT scores there will be 4-year places that will be happy to admit you.
Community college is definitely your best bet. However, you can do a search for four year colleges that accept everyone. They’re out there (they believe everyone deserves a second chance), but there probably isn’t going to be any financial aid, so I don’t know if they’re affordable for you. You don’t want to mess up at that level because you’ll be carrying debt no matter what. Personally I’d go the CC route.
I would think you would be better off graduating, and then going to CC for two years, and then transferring to a 4 year college. Most 4 year colleges want someone who can succeed, and you haven’t really shown that you can. But by working hard and graduating, and then going to CC and taking courses there and doing well, you will show colleges that you have turned yourself around.
I went through the same thing in high school, and I have a master’s degree. Yes, I’m a high school dropout. If you’re going to take an extra year in high school just to graduate, skip it. You’re better off getting your GED and starting CC at 18. You don’t want to be the 19 year old in a school full of little kids. You’re an adult, and you need to be in an environment that allows you to be one. Just study for your GED and take the test. It’s not hard to pass it. Then start CC in the fall. You don’t even need to take your SAT. After 1-2 years of college, most universities won’t even require an SAT at all.
It is terrific you want to do better. That’s the most important thing.
Yes, you can certainly overcome three years of poor performance in high school. What if you had not worked hard in Grades 1-3 but had worked hard since then? Wouldn’t it seem like your effort in Grades 1-3 didn’t matter? You can feel the same way when you are 25 about the last 3 years.
Not to say it will be easy. First, look at yourself . . . honestly. Why haven’t you worked hard and succeeded? Is there a learning issue, maybe subtle, like dysgraphia (difficulty in writing)? Is substance use interfering? Is it motivation? Is it family or relationship issues? Mental health or social issues? All of these are things that many people have to confront. You would be far from alone in facing any of these.
Then figure out what YOU can do to address the issue. What can you do on your own? Will you require help? Who would be the best person to help? Family? Friends? Teacher? School counselor? Medical counselor? Doctor? Try to get this help. I know it can sometimes be difficult because of personal circumstances but look to the people in your life who can help.
In school, talk to your teachers the beginning of the school year. Tell them you have not worked hard in the past. Tell them you want to do better going forward, that you are making a clean break. Then show them you have changed. Do your homework, every night. Do the reading. Study for tests. Ask them to hold you accountable. Most will respond positively, and you can change their opinion of you.
Work hard; don’t do the minimum, do your best; treat everyone with dignity and respect. When you do things ask yourself if you are doing these things. You’ll do better.
Down the road, you’ll then have a year or a year and a half of good academic performance. Schools like to see this. It shows growth and diligence, which is one of the most important predictors of success in college, and in life. Schools really want students who will come and succeed. Diligence is important to that, maybe the most important thing, so you will look like a more likely candidate. Your college application will look much better.
Then will be the time to consider what 4-year schools will be a possibility and whether or not community college is a better option. But that’s down the road. Get up tomorrow and be the best person you can be, to everyone and in every endeavor. If you don’t do a good job on something, and everyone comes up short at times, then learn from it and use it to do better the next time.
You can do it! Good luck!
It’s great thztyouwoke up now - it’s not too late. Sure, others have a head start but you can now run our own race and catch up.
What classes did you get D’s /Fs in and can you “repair” them starting right now, in summer school?
Make sure you prepare for college by taking all of Math, English, history/social science both years you have left; foreign language through level 2 (or even 3 if you want to strengthen rigor); biology and chemistry plus one more science class; one art/art history/music class (some colleges want/like that).
Right now , what classes did you get a C or higher in, for each core subject:
- English
- Math
- Foreign language
- Science
- Social Science
- Art and technology
- Electives
This could depend somewhat on your state – some, like California, have very competitive four-year systems but it could be realistic in other locations, particularly if you are okay with a branch campus as opposed to the top state school. Community colleges also vary considerably – I’d take my local community college over some of the less popular four-year campuses in my own state.
You should definitely visit both types of schools.
And, if you really don’t like your high school or are having troubles overcoming the reputation you built over your first three years, the suggestion to look into high school completion options at the community college is also a good one. Again, the high school options could vary in cost and quality by location.
I disagree about the GED…would that require more self-studying/non structured studying? THe OP may do better in structured classes