<p>Send out applications to less selective schools. There is nothing wrong with going to one of them if that’s the way it works out. Your life will turn out fine regardless, so long as you take a positive attitude.</p>
<p>I just feel that I’ve worked harder than most people in my school…
In my school everyone take AP classes and they cheat there way through the classes
No One passes AP exams </p>
<p>and I’m the opposite</p>
<p>I’m not saying that I’m better than everyone in my school but EVERYONe always cheats in my school and i think its a growing problem</p>
<p>You are lucky to be in CA where there are many strong state schools. You do your research now and apply to realistic colleges where your stats match up with the averages.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s fair that the OP is so prejudiced against state schools. As hmom5 has pointed out, there are some world-class state schools in California. Even schools like UC Santa Cruz and Riverside are categorized as major research institutions. If you’re really, really against state schools, go to a private school for a year then transfer to another school.</p>
<p>You listed quite a number of large, super-tough schools to get into. But here’s what you said, </p>
<p>“I never had anyone guide me through High school
I never had anyone to tell me what I had to do to go to College and now its too late.” </p>
<p>Why do you want to go to those large schools? It seems to me that you’d do much better in a smaller LAC. You’d get personal attention and the teachers would really watch out for you. You might not have gotten that in HS, but seek that out in college.</p>
<p>But the thing is that I really want to move out of California but unless I get accepted to one of those schools I mentioned above, I’m going to go to a school nearby </p>
<p>thats why I dont want to go to a state school</p>
<p>College last 4 years, you have your whole life to live other places. Most don’t have good college options period. No sympathy for having to stay in CA.</p>
<p>pacers, this summer while I was cleaning out a room in our house I found some letters written by my father to his parents when he was 18. I couldn’t believe how stupid he was. What he wanted from life when he was 18 was ridiculous. I then realized that if I were to write a letter today explaining how I viewed life and then read it 30 years from now, I would probably say the same thing about myself. </p>
<p>We are going to change a lot in the next few years. If you think about it, we’re pretty young and inexperienced right now. We think we’re smart and focused but we’re not. Talk to someone in college. I’ve spoken with several college students and every one has told me that their outlook on life is completely different now than when they were in high school. </p>
<p>So don’t worry if you don’t get into those schools. You will be just fine. We all will. In fact, life seems to take us in directions (sometimes against our will) that end up being the best for us. </p>
<p>The bell is about to ring so I’ve got to go. Just be happy for your strengths, accept your limitations, and then go live a good life. I truly believe that what we do with our precious lives will mean so much more in the long run than what college name appears on our degrees.</p>
<p>I wish I could be a resident of CA. From my point of view, you’re one of the most luckiest people in the world. There are bunch of world-class state schools that you can get in for sure. Try :</p>
<p>cal poly slo, uc santa barbara, irvine, riverside, santa cruz…</p>
<p>Don’t worry that much about the school you’re going to get in. You can transfer anytime.</p>
<p>OP you are not being realistic about the schools you are applying to. Even in-state there are some great schools you should look at - Loyola Marymount, Chapman, University of the Pacific. The schools you have listed are at the top tier of colleges and require much higher stats than you have to be admitted. I’m sorry to be blunt but that’s how it is. Look beyond your reaches and you will find many, many good choices. Good luck!</p>
<p>I’m not sure how to say this without being offensive. My D’s stats are 2210 and 780/750, ACT 34…and she STILL knows she’s a nearly DEFINITE “no” at Ivies due to her GPA. It’s 4.3-4.4 weighted but that’s very low for her school and she has a low rank. Top 10% yes, but…BARELY (long story…we ALL have “issues”). Like you, she had no guidance either. I didn’t go to college and didn’t even THINK about it until her Jr. year. Neither did she, no planning financially or academically. Also, like you, she dreams of Ivy levels. But she can only dream. She will apply, but that’s just for grins. </p>
<p>The reason I opened this was your screenname. We’re Hoosiers ourselves. YOu can BET my daughter wants to get out of Indiana. But, know that MOST kids are in shoes similar to yours. They/we want more than we can realistically have. Then comes the hard part. “Settling”. And hopefully you can find a way to make it much more than that. My D has already applied and been accepted to one of our state universities. So that’s “in the bag”, and feels great. Though she’s still “dreaming” of NYU…in our case it’s that we don’t think we’ll be able to afford it. But my finances are “weird” so we’re applying and filing…just to see. Either way, I’m encouraging her to work on her housing at our state school because…let’s face it…that’s probably where she’ll go. Same as MANY MANY MANY other kids who want to go somewhere else. </p>
<p>I’d like to move too! I “tried it” on both coasts and never “made it”. We all have unfulfilled desires.</p>
<p>So…get your education. Period. THAT is the important part. Get the best one you can at this point and don’t look back - MOVE FORWARD. </p>
<p>Then, with that sheepskin in hand…start your job search ANYPLACE you want! Then move there. If you’re driven, you’ll get there.</p>