I need some college opinions here! :(

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi guys, I'm new to this forum, so please bare with me haha. So I'm getting really nervous and scared at this point in my life right now because I'm a high school senior, and it's about to be that time (Well it is now actually) where we need to start applying to the colleges we want. Well I have YET to apply to anything.... Yes stone me! I'm a little late here but hey! There's still time! Anyways, I'm getting really nervous and scared because I'm not sure if I'm going to get accepted by the colleges I have been looking at. So I need somebody's, ANYBODY'S, advice before I pull my out! Lol Now the main thing thats making me freaking nervous is my dang SAT scores... Ugh I've only taken it once (Oct 2013) and of course, to get a better score, I'm going to take it again in Jan, please pray for me! Haha but I wanted you guys to get of an idea of me as a person academically. So I'm going to write a brief summary of me academically down below and what colleges I want to attend and I wanna hear from you guys on what you think. Now I know I don't have exactly the Letter grades of every subject and such, just wanted to give you something brief just to get an idea. I know you guys aren't experts or admission officers, but I wanna hear different opinions from all over really. And the colleges I'm looking at aren't really "outstanding" schools, well other GA Tech of course... So yeah. Oh and I'm not done with school. I have one last semester of the 12th grade starting in Jan, so I know already I need to improve. Please let me know honestly and truthfully. If I need to revaluate my college choices, please let me know. If I'm only community college material, let me know that as well... :( Thanks!! BTW, BEWARE OF MY SAT SCORES!!!! GOD AWEFUL </p>

<p>Major for college: Computer Science</p>

<p>Reach College: Georgia Tech</p>

<p>Target College: Kennesaw State University (I WANT THIS SCHOOL) (Min SAT 490 Read + 460 Math. MIN GPA 2.5), Georgia State University (Min SAT 970-1199. Min GPA 3.2-3.7), Southern Polytechnic State University (Min SAT 500 Read + 500 Math. Min GPA 2.5)</p>

<p>Safety College: Georgia Gwinnett College (Min SAT Anything lol. Min GPA Anything lol again)</p>

<p>Now to the good stuff... :/</p>

<p>My School: Georgia Cyber Academy '14 (First graduating class)</p>

<p>GPA:3.4/5ish (one or the other, not sure lol)</p>

<p>SAT: 360 MATH, 410 READING </p>

<p>Classes:
(9th grade) Biology,Spanish I,Geography, Health, Math 1, American Lit. </p>

<p>(10th Grade) Math II, Honors American Lit, Chemistry,World History,Spanish II. </p>

<p>(11th Grade) AP U.S. History, Computer Lit, Honors Brit and World Lit, Honors Physics, Math III, Spanish III.</p>

<p>(12th Grade) AP Lit and Comp, AP Environmental Science, Math IV, Economics, American Gov, Forensic Science, Physical Ed, Spanish IV. </p>

<p>Extra curricular: BETA CLUB (12th Grade), Computer Club (12th Grade), School required 100 hours of community service (9th-12th Grade) idk if that mattered lol</p>

<p>Thank you again! :)</p>

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<p>What in the world is going on with that SAT? The most important thing you can do is figure that out. Are you taking practice exams using the College Board blue book? What was your last practice exam?</p>

<p>Get over to the SAT prep forum and read through the prep tips in the threads pinned at the top of the fourm. This is the single most important thing to do right now, is get a handle on this.</p>

<p>[SAT</a> Preparation - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/]SAT”>SAT Preparation - College Confidential Forums)</p>

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<p>Coming into the College Confidential community can be intimidating since there are many very high achieving students here and many who speak of community college as if it is some sort of failure. That’s not the case, and I have known bright students who started out at community college and are doing well in four year colleges after transfering. Their reasons are many: financial, family, or just not ready for college yet. Think of it more as a stepping stone on the path to where you want to go.
Are you home schooled? This is OK too- I know many very bright home schoolers who have also done well, either going directly to college or starting at a community college. Some have taken classes there while being home schooled, and some not. You have done well in your classes, but keep in mind that this has been an online program- something you can do on your own schedule- which is different from the classroom setting.
The SAT is required for college, but it also measures college readiness compared to the general population of college bound students. The ACT gives you feedback about college readiness. Some ways of looking at your score are that you aren’t used to such tests, don’t test well (some bright kids just don’t do well on those kinds of tests), or you are not ready for the demands of college- yet… but you can be in time. You might improve those scores if you prepare and take the test again, so yes it is worth a try, but knowing how to take a test and being fully prepared for college are two different things.
College is also a large expense, a transition from living at home to living in a busy dorm, and meeting a new set of classroom and social demands. This is where community college can serve as a bridge between two worlds. They can assess your academic record and place you into the classes you need to get you on your way to college, at a more reasonable cost.
I don’t think you are ready for GA tech. Most of those students have extremenly high math scores which reflect the level of math they have been taking in high school. The other colleges on your list are possibilities. I think it’s fine to continue on your plans to retake the SAT and also apply to these schools, see what happens, but if your scores reflect your college readiness, you might be better off in the long run getting what you need to be ready.
So along with your plans, visit the community colleges in your area-see what they have to offer and make an appointment with the guidance counselors there. Talk about your goals, and ask how the college will help you achieve them. Apply to them too. After considering all your choices, you might find that this is the best step to get you on your way…</p>

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<p>Hello Pennylane, Thanks for all the advice! And yes to your question, I am technically “homeschooled”. I go to a virtual public school. Hence the name, Georgia CYBER Academy lol. But yeah I see everything your saying 100%. Its just that yeah I understand that Community College is not a bad opinion and all, but I just dont want to see myself going to a community college, when I dont “have” too, you see what Im saying? I see all my friends now getting acceptance letters from all over (universities), while I’ll be going to community college. Once again, something is better than nothing so If I have to resort to that, than I got to do what I got to do. But you know what, ill tell you this. I honestly didnt take that SAT as serious as I should have to be 100% honest. I barely studied at all. I studied like the week before, and maybe glanced at the prac questions and SAT study book time to time like a couple weeks before. I saw it as, “Oh well, its my first time. Ill just see how the test is.” Which is technically fine I guess… However, You end up with 360’s as a score as you see above… Today is Dec.9 2013, the next SAT is Jan 24, that is MORE than a month to study, which I will be doing for sure this time. NO MORE GAMES!! However though, I can also kinda factor in why I did not do well on this test as well. Simply the way they ask the questions… So i’ve been doing my research all last night, and it comes to find out that I can take the ACT, which to some, is much “easier” to them. Simply because of the way the questions are worded, which is key for me. Im a very straight forward tester. I don’t need all this fluff just for you to simply ask me what the Plot of a story is. It throws me off all the way. I’ve seen some practice questions for the ACT, and IT. WAS. SIMPLE!!! I GOT EVERY QUESTION RIGHT (PRAISE THE LORD!!). So with that being said, I plan on taking BOTH the SAT (Going all in with studying, practice test, etc.) and ALSO, the ACT in Feb! Yes, I believe I can do it if I just put for the appropriate time and effort! Thank you again for reading/caring! :)</p>

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<p>I am glad you are able to take the ACT. Some people do better on one or the other and there is a section where they interpret your college readiness skills, so that will give you some feedback. I’m always in favor of keeping options open, so of course, keep your first choice plan- and also if you wish- look at the different CC’s in your area- you may find some you like better than others. Just know that past high school- where the current excitement and discussion over college plans is at it’s height, right now, the view of college gets broader. People move on to new friends and new experiences. There is also the chance of transfer- from anywhere, although some comp sci programs at college are selective about which one they accept. So wherever you are next year, could be a step to several directions.
Keep in mind that whatever you decide, the more you can see how it will benefit you, the better you will feel about your choices. Good luck to you and come back here with your new scores. Also though, don’t miss any deadlines in applying. You can apply by the deadlines and ask the admissions office if they will consider your updated scores.</p>

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<p>Yah dude it sucks that it is too late to take another SAT before applications are due. Georgia Tech is a super-super reach, Kennesaw is probably a lower reach, but your SATs are a big dissuader. I would apply to some test optional schools, you would be a much stronger candidate.</p>

<p>Please chance me back
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1587830-usc-dornsife-irgb-first-choice-chances.html#post16672007[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1587830-usc-dornsife-irgb-first-choice-chances.html#post16672007&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Hey, California Virtual Academy student here! Our schools are under the same umbrella program content provider!</p>

<p>If things don’t work out, you could always try going to a CC and transfer to Gtech! That’s what over 80% of my classmates do. Nothing wrong with that!</p>

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<p>I didn’t think of test optional schools, but that’s a great idea if some of these would work.
[SAT/ACT</a> Optional 4-Year Universities | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]SAT/ACT”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest)</p>

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<p>Thank you sooo much again! I glanced at that list a couple of weeks ago. And I just looked at it again, and coincidentally, Georgia Gwinnett College is a test optional school! Yay me! lol So thats definitely my safety school! Yeah I know GA Tech is a bit of a hike for me, I know I have a slim to none chance of EVER getting into that school, well as of now… But its wishful thinking huh? I kinda already figured that wouldnt happen so im not heart broken. But you know what, i’m not speaking community college into existence! Im aiming for my NON-Community Colleges/Test Optional colleges as my #1 priority!! Yeah I could always transfer blah blah blah blah, but I want aim for the best, and not just settling with the score(s) I got now! I still have “plenty” of time to get my act together. May is the deadline for most of these colleges I have been looking at and also when I graduate high school. By then, I would have ACED either the SAT or ACT by then and accepted to the college of my dreams! Thank you again for your advice! Im really motivated now! :D</p>

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<p>Oh and btw, according to the ACT website, it compares SAT combined scores like the Math and Reading sections of the test to the ACT composite scores and such. Well according to that, if you got a 770 thru like 810, which is me, I “would” have received if I taken the ACT and received the same exact score of a 16 on the ACT. Now it may seem sucky, but to get into Kennesaw State, or at least looked at, you need a minimum of a composite score of a 20! THATS ONLY A COUPLE OF POINTS! Then on top of that, the test is easier (from what it looks like)!! So this could actually be the test I need! Just more proper studying and Ill get my 20! Something just to get my foot in the door if you know what I mean! :)</p>

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<p>Be careful about those later deadlines because that can indicate rolling admission, which is first come first served, not only with admission but with financial aid, and some grants are awarded until funding runs out.
I understand that you don’t want them to decide until the new scores are in. Did you send any yet? If not, I’d apply to them ASAP without scores, so that they will process them as soon as scores arrive. If you have already sent scores, you may want to hold out, or contact them to see if they will wait for the updated ones. I am a bit worried about waiting until the ACT scores are ready as that won’t be for a while. I think it’s worth calling them, explain that you are retaking since you aren’t happy with your scores now, and see what they suggest.
Get that GA Gwinnett one in ASAP. It would be a relief to have an acceptance already. Don’t send scores.</p>

<p>[KSU</a> Admissions](<a href=“http://kennesaw.askadmissions.net/ask.aspx?quser=deadline]KSU”>http://kennesaw.askadmissions.net/ask.aspx?quser=deadline)</p>

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<p>For ACT scores- the scale ranges to 36, while the SAT ranges to 2400. While it isn’t an exact ratio, one point on the ACT is about the same as 70 points on the SAT. Don’t underestimate what it takes to raise your score one point on the ACT, however, it is possible. 4 points is a lot. I don’t want to discourage you, but know the task at hand will take work.
I am not underestimating you, but I am aware of the transition from high school to college standards, and it is important to be ready for this, because what you really want is to do well, even if it means going a year or two later because you needed to be ready. I know our local CC offers many transitional classes between where the students are after high school and where they want to go. Remember, the diploma is from the 4 year college.</p>

<p>You may on the other hand, get higher scores. Be honest with yourself when you see them.</p>

<p>These are the ACT guidelines for college readiness.
[College</a> Readiness Standards™ | Explaining What College Readiness Scores Mean | ACT](<a href=“http://www.act.org/standard/]College”>ACT College and Career Readiness Standards | ACT) click on each subject and at the bottom is a link for ideas for progress to see what to do to improve.</p>

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<p>Oh I believe I’m ready for college honestly! I’m not just saying that. Like I said before I did not properly study like I should have that first time. I know what I did/what I need to do from now on. Ad. To answer your question, OF COURSE NOT!! I would never send those god awful scores to anyone! I barely want to look at them myself. I have yet to apply to anywhere as well. The only things I have done so far that’s college oriented is take the SAT. Other than that, nothing else. So can you be a little clear on what your saying? Are you basically telling me to GO ahead, and apply to these schools (without the SAT score I assume). And basically tell them to hold on with the scoring material stuff until I receive my next SAT and/or ACT scores? Just wanting to clarify. Lastly, I most definitely am not underestimating the ACT at ALL!! I never said it was going to be a beautiful walk in the park, but instead just an “easier” test which would be “better” for me. I know what I’m up against and I know what I got to do. All is left is for me to just do it. Just from others and for glancing at the practice questions, I heard it was easier if, I said IF, you struggled with the SAT question wording and things of that nature previously. I just want to stay as postindustrial as possible here! I know your being honest and I appreciate that 10000000%, but I’m not speaking those things into existence :)</p>

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<p>I think you apply to these colleges through this
<a href=“https://secure.gacollege411.org/Home/Sign_In/Logon.aspx?nextpage=%2Fapplications%2FUSG_Common_App_Short%2FUSG_Common_App_Short1.asp%3F%26application_id%3D2300[/url]”>https://secure.gacollege411.org/Home/Sign_In/Logon.aspx?nextpage=%2Fapplications%2FUSG_Common_App_Short%2FUSG_Common_App_Short1.asp%3F%26application_id%3D2300&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I have not seen the applications through this link, but often there is a place to put your scores and the date you tested or will test. Since it takes a while for your scores to be sent from either SAT or ACT, you can apply and have them sent later. So if this is the case, when you apply you will see a space for SAT scores which you will leave blank, and the date: Jan 2014. This way the school would know when to expect them. They will not process the application until the scores are received. When you take the SAT, they send the scores to the colleges at about the same time you get them, if you have indicated that when you register. If the college does score choice, you can send just the new scores, but if you don’t indicate that, it will send all scores. However, many colleges take the highest score anyway in that case. If you have already sent your application in, then the school will have what it needs to process the application.</p>

<p>If there is no way to indicate on the application when you will take the test, you will need to contact them to ask how to let them know this.</p>

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<p>Yeah I was told about that website by my school. Most definitely have to check it out.</p>

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<p>I just looked at Guinnette, and they have just added a minimum test score requirement:
[Freshmen</a> | Georgia Gwinnett College](<a href=“http://www.ggc.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements/freshmen/]Freshmen”>http://www.ggc.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements/freshmen/)</p>

<p>Go ahead and register for that website and you can start working on your applications. You can also go ahead and order your transcripts sent to them.</p>

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<p>Gotcha! Thank you soooo much! Appreciate all the help! I will keep you posted on all things college!! :)</p>

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<p>Yes come back and update this thread. Best of luck to you.</p>

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<p>If you manage to raise that score to a 19-20, you could look at these schools, beside Georgia Gwinnett:
Georgia State - they tend to weight GPA more than SAT/ACT, although you’d need a 20 for sure.
University of West Georgia
Albany State
Valdosta State
La Grange
Piedmont College
Reinhard
Andrew College might also be an alternative - it’s a two-year residential college that prepares undergraduates to transfer to 4 year universities.</p>