<p>Hi everyone. I just found this site about 10 minutes ago so sorry if this is in the wrong place. </p>
<p>I have absolutely no idea how to do anything college related. Everyone always has a school they want to go, and they have school they want to apply to. But how in the world does anybody find these places?? I know logically there are a million colleges in the U.S. but my knowledge only extends to whatever happens to be mentioned on tv, like Havard or Yale.
And how do you know if their programs are good or average? </p>
<p>I have no clue how to apply to any college, I just know there's application fees that i have to pay even if I don't go there, something about writing essays (again because of tv.) I don't know how to apply for financial aid or scholarships, either. </p>
<p>I've tried looking it up online for hours at a time but all the websites I've seen just assume you know how to do it and just give little tips on how to do it faster, or extra places you might be able to apply to. </p>
<p>Neither of my parets went to college so they're no help. No other adult I know have gone to college. I don't go to public or private school, so there's no counselor or whoever is supposed to help with this stuff. All I know is my dad won't stop saying "You need to start your college applications!!!" even though he doesn't know how to do it either. On top of all this, because of the way my school is set up, there is NO way I can know my gpa, because my classes were taken at different places are not all in one computer system. </p>
<p>Ok so that may have ended up a little long, but I have no clue about anything. Sorry for any typos I missed, I'm on my phone. Someone please help?</p>
<p>Well, gee that’s a lot of questions lol. I’m going to try my best to help :)</p>
<p>We can start with what grade you’re in? I’m guessing you are a senior since your dad is saying you should start on your college apps. Have you taken the SAT or ACT? What were your scores? What state do you live in? Do you prefer staying home for college or going away? Do you know what you want to major in? Are there any specific aspects you would like your college to have?</p>
<p>They can help with questions like how to handle GPA and transcript questions, things like that. </p>
<p>SAMGinny6 has asked some good questions, too. If you are a “senior” and hoping to go to college next fall, you are kind of late in the game, as the due date for applications for a lot of colleges has passed. Financial aid deadlines are also looming quite soon if you need to apply for aid from colleges or federal loans. Not every college date is passed, but you are going to need to hustle if you want to go somewhere next fall.</p>
<p>If you want to get some ideas of what colleges are out there, you could get a book called The Fiske Guide to Colleges. It lists a lot of colleges and describes what they are like, what majors are strong, size, location, test score ranges, etc. But there are tons of colleges not in that book, too, like state colleges that aren’t the main flagship campus or community colleges, or just colleges that are small and local. If cost is an issue, you should look into your own state university system and community colleges in your area. Some states have something called reciprocity with neighboring states so you can pay in-state tuition at the nearby state schools. For example, Wisconsin and Minnesota have an arrangement like this.</p>
<p>Are you sure you don’t know any adults who can help with this? An aunt or uncle, or a parent of a friend? That would make it easier. Although there are a lot of adults out here who will give advice, it is easier if there is a person “on the ground” with you.</p>
<p>If you are a senior, my suggestion is to go to your closest community college and speak with an adviser. Call first for an appointment. They can see what you have, schedule placement tests, and give you great information of what, exactly, your best options are. It may be a 4 year school, but with a gap year and possibly some community college classes. It may be starting with community college (full time), then transferring to a 4 year school. You may also find you prefer an 18 month or 2 year program better. Who knows?</p>
<p>If you are a junior, post again and let us know. You’ll have time to get acquainted with “the system.”</p>
<p>You and your parents probably need to learn about paying for college too. Have them take a look at the Financial Aid Forum here, and read through [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org)</p>
<p>There are a number of parent here who never went to college themselves. Tell your parents not to be afraid of asking any questions. </p>
<p>College applications usually require an essay along with your transcript. Just to apply, many colleges require you to pay an application fee. You can either apply through colleges through their websites (sometimes they have electronic applications, and sometimes you have to print it out and send it to them) or through Common App, which is a website which you basically fill out one application and can send it to whatever colleges use Common App (<a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Members.aspx[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Members.aspx</a>)</p>
<p>You can start your College Search at the BigFuture(dot)CollegeBoard(dot)com. But looking at you position, I would absolutely start off at community college. It’s cheaper, easier to work out, and because your school is so weird that you can’t even find your own GPA, it’ll build your application’s foundation.</p>
<p>Yes I’m a senior. I figured the application deadlines probably passed but I don’t want to just go to some community college for four years, so I had to ask. </p>
<p>As for cost, my family would probably be able to pay $1000 per year or less. That’s just my guess but seeing as we’re always tight on money, so much so that we have to have food stamps, I think it’s a good guess. </p>
<p>I live in texas. Technically, I’m considered a homeschooler by the state, but I do take classes at a school, and at the school I don’t have acces to my grade from previous years or class. They have them in their system, I just can’t know what they are. </p>
<p>I haven’t taken the SAT because there’s a fee to do it and I haven’t had any extra money. I took the PSAT years ago. I don’t remember what my score was exactly but it was considered pretty good. I know colleges don’t accept that but I suppose it gives an idea of whatmy score would be like. As for my other grades, I’ve had A’s in all my classes except 2 that i can remember, in those I had a B. </p>
<p>I would rather go away for college. However, I know that not an options for this fall because it’s too late. I also know that what little help my parents could give if i stayed here would be taken away because they want me to stay here. Basically, concerning help from my parents, my dad is only interested if I’m going TSU or A&M. My mom couldn’t care less about where I go.
As for specific aspects… Aren’t all colleges basicallly the same? I mean, I go to class, I do my work, and I try to find a job. And I try ignore the people that are hungover all the time and barely go to class at all.
Thanks guys, I think I answered all the questions.</p>
<p>Community colleges are not for four year degrees (although I guess some students spend four years there finishing two years of work!). They are two year programs. MANY students who are low on money spend two years at community college, then transfer to a four year college for the last two years of their degree. Their degree is then from the four year college.</p>
<p>Although you can’t access the grades from the school(s) you have attended directly (like, you can’t go on the internet and see them), the college will provide transcripts if you ask. They will give you an “unofficial” transcript just so you can see what your grades and credits are, and they will provide “official” transcripts directly to the colleges you want to apply to. They probably have a form you have to fill out to request this, so ask at the school administration office about this. Just phone them if you don’t go to the school any more. You probably need to do this for every single school you have attended classes at since 9th grade if there is more than one. You would then have more than one transcript going to each college, and that is okay. They will figure out your GPA from those if that is important to them.</p>
<p>Given where you are at this point, both in time and financial resources, your best bet by far is to look into attending your local community college next year. If you go meet with an admissions counselor at a local community college, they can help you figure out all the steps you need to apply, and help you figure out the cost and if there are any financial aid resources for you. But financial aid runs out for next fall as the spring goes on, so I would suggest going ASAP to do do this.</p>
<p>Since you are just beginning to learn about your options, talk with your parents about taking a year off between high school and college. That way you will have more time to make a good list for yourself, and have a better chance at getting good financial aid. Usually financial aid for transfer students isn’t as good as aid for freshmen.</p>
<p>Doesn’t the “school” you attended help students who are ready to graduate and go to college? Have you ever gone to the library and looked at all the books about colleges, financial aid, etc? If you have known for a while that college of some sort was in your future, you should have been researching this for the last few years. Have you ever attended a college fair, usually held in the spring at local high schools, or at civic center places in larger cities? These are usually full of info about different colleges. What do you think you would like to study?
As for financial issues, there are many schools that offer very good financial aid to top students, but you have to find those schools, apply on time, and be very organized during the process. I would suggest that you look into your local community college, since you are starting so late. Also, go online and file the FAFSA for federal financial aid. You will need your parents to help with this, since you will need their 2012 tax return information about income and taxes paid to fill in the FAFSA. If you family income is low enough, you may qualify for some Pell Grant money (does not have to be paid back) from the government. Filling out the FAFSA will also allow you to qualify for up to $5500 in Direct loans from the government that you, the student are responsible for. You do not need your parents to sign for these Direct loans for you. With Pell and a direct loan, you should be able to afford community college. Keep in mind the four year schools you might like to transfer to to finish your BA, and work in community college to meet the general education requirements so that when you go to the 4 year, you will only have to concentrate on your major course requirements. Counselors at the community college will be able to help you with this, if it is a good cc.
Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you for the link to the SAT fee waiver. I haven’t looked at it yet but it might help. </p>
<p>My school will give me transcripts that I can send to colleges myself, but it cost money each time I want one. So there’ll be a fee for that for each place I apply to.</p>
<p>About taking a year off. I wouldn’t exactly mind doing that because I don’t have any idea what I want to study, other than made graphic design. I have a friend who doesn’t graduate until next year, and we’ve both been wanting to save money so we can get an apartment together. He’s already started, but I don’t have a job right now. But my opinion isn’t important.</p>
<p>@teachandmom my school doesn’tg have a counselor or anything. I’ve being trying to research since I was a sophomore but the internet hasn’t been helpful. I don’t drive (once again because driver’s ed costs money. I’m doing it now becaue I talked my uncle into paying for it) so I can’t go to the library. You can’t really walk places in Texas. As for college fairs, if there have been any in the area, I haven’t known about them. Again, because my school doesn’t have a counselor, and the internet isn’t helpful.</p>
<p>Hello, I feel like everyone is making you feel like your options are very limited. While this is all true, many deadlines are still approaching so you have time. Right now, I would look at UT in places like Arlington and Tyler if you don’t want to go to a community college. Many of these divisions of UT have later deadlines you could still apply to, and then if you maintained a good GPA you could transfer to UT Austin if you want to. I think your first step would be signing up for the SAT and/or ACT. You have 20 days left to sign up for the March SAT. That should be plenty of time to see about a fee waiver. In the mean time, filling at FAFSA is a good idea. I think you should be very careful about taking a gap year. I know it sounds nice, but I know a lot of people who get stuck in places they end up hating because they didn’t just bite the bullet and leave after senior year.</p>
<p>That’s why I wouldn’t want to take a year off. My mom thinks I can’t live in dorms or anything, because I won’t be 18 yet. I have no idea how much truth is in that.
I really, really, really, don’t want to go somewhere else in texas, because, yes that’s kind of moving away, but I’m still in texas, and if I’m being honest I absolutely despise texas. I live in the San Antonio area so if I’m going to school in state then i’d go somewhere nearby, because if I just move to somewhere else in texas it seems like I’m giving up and just settling with being away from my family and not going somewhere i’d like to go.</p>
<p>I know I have a habit of being negative about everything when people try to help me. I’m trying not to be, but I’m sorry if I sounds like I am.</p>
<p>Hi! I’m a fellow homeschooler, though in a different situation. Your situation does sound a bit complicated - first of all, keep in mind that there are rolling admissions, test-optional schools with generous finanical aid. Just look it up. I can’t give too much specific info there, but i.e. Kettering keeps admitting students up to a pretty late date until they have enough kids attending. (Not test optional, I don’t think, but you could probably get by with taking the nearest test.) However, I would really suggest looking into a community college for a two year degree. I’ve known several kids who spent two years at a community college and ended up transferring to an Ivy, so it isn’t a bad option. It’s actually a very popular way to go where I live. Best of luck in your college search. Get started on those essays!</p>
<p>This site supposedly has a list of test-optional schools and deadlines. [College</a> Information - Peterson’s - The Real Guide to Colleges and Universities](<a href=“http://www.petersons.com/]College”>http://www.petersons.com/)</p>
<p>For school to be affordable, you have two choices:</p>
<p>(1) Wait until next year, and then meet all the deadlines to apply for the following year. And do NOT take any college classes next year at all! If you do this, you will have the chance to get merit scholarships at the schools you apply to . . . and these scholarships could (maybe) pay most of the cost of your four years at college. But scholarships like this are primarily available to students entering college as freshmen. So, if you take classes somewhere else . . . well, you’d be out of luck!</p>
<p>(2) Attend your local community college, and commute from home to keep the cost down.</p>
<p>In the meantime, borrow these two books from your local library (or ask the library to get them for you if they don’t have them):</p>