<p>Greetings everyone, my name is George and I am new to this forum. I am 25 years old and have been writing software ever since I was 12 years old. After high school I was recruited by a software company during the Dot Com boom... And have been working ever since. Basically I have about 7 years of professional work experience and over 14 years of software writing experience. Recently I felt a void in my life because I did not go to college. I have my heart set on Stanford but let me tell you about myself. My High School grades were very average, I was a student who was very bored with school and was just very interested in writing software. I have never taken my SAT tests. So basically all I have going for me is my work experience and extensive knowledge in my field. I would obviously like to major in Computer Science. I am looking to start school as soon as possible but I think its too late now for next year. Please everyone all the advice you can give me I would appreciate it very much. I really don't know what I am doing when it comes to this stuff.</p>
<p>George-Let me preface this by saying I am a mom of a senior, so my learning curve on this process is working at a 90 degree angle. I think you might look up on <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com%5B/url%5D">www.collegeboard.com</a> for the dates to apply/dates for SAT exams. I would then call the admissions office at Stanford to get their input. Then go from there.</p>
<p>APOL, thank you for the reply, I believe the deadline is Dec 12, but what I am worried about is my qualifications..</p>
<p>It is not too late. Look at the websites/call the admissions offices of the colleges that interest you and find out what their requirements are. You'll need to take the SAT or ACT--sign up and get a prep book for that. I don't think your high school grades will count against you as much as they would for someone right out of high school. All you can do is ask.</p>
<p>Easy.<br>
First study for SATs, pick a date for the test and register.<br>
You will soon be awash in junk mail from hundreds of colleges. Once you read most of your mail, you will be quite knowledgeable.</p>
<p>But based on the deadlines for Stanford which is Dec 12 and the dates that the SAT is offered I don't see how I can make it this year? And if I dont make this this year when can I register and find out if I made it?</p>
<p>Call Stanford and talk to an adcom or someone at the admissions office to see the best possible way for you to go. Maybe the thing to do is enroll in CC for a semester and study for the SAT, SATII, and/or ACT. Maybe you should continue to work and study on weekends and take the test in March, June (if needed) then work on your app essays whenever you have time (because essays almost never change). I would apply for class of 2012, but an adcom at Stanford may have a better route. Talk to adcoms at all the schools you are interested in. I would assume your work experience counts as an EC and high SAT and SATII scores should balance out high school grades.</p>
<p>Excuse my lack of knowledge but what is CC?</p>
<p>CC = Community College</p>
<p>I thought that one semester would give you grades to base your academic record on. It would also make you a transfer and I am not 100% sure if Stanford accepts transfers, so dont enroll untill talking to the admissions office.</p>