I am currently a high school senior going to attend a community college for my first year or two. In my high school years, I slacked off, a lot. I did not study or do homework my freshman through junior years, it wasn’t until now, in my senior year, that I picked myself up. My cumulative GPA is a 3.0. My senior year GPA is a 4.0 and took 3 credits at a university with a 4.0 so far as well. Because of my carelessness in my freshman to junior years, I didn’t study at all for the ACT and had hardly any background info on the test, so I scored a 23.
As I mentioned I will be attending a community college for my first and maybe the second year of school, depending on where I decide to transfer. I am currently extremely interested in academics and want to transfer to a top college, but I am worried if it is too unlikely and should just focus on a mid-tier university. In order to transfer, I will definitely need to retake my ACT, which I am certain I am capable of getting a much higher score if I study. The only reason I scored a 23 was because I never opened a practice test or study book in my life. When I decided to get my act together, school was almost too easy, even my college courses. My lowest grade so far has been a 97%, no to boast, just to convey my ability to score higher on the ACT. My question regarded said information is if it is worth it. Should i take the time to study and prepare for the ACT and do two years at a community college while being active in extracurriculars to attempt to transfer to a top university of my dreams, or should i do a single year or even two without the ACT retake and transfer to a college like the University of Minnesota.
Another thing I should note is that I am set on going into pre-med but undecided on my major.
There have been many successful stories here on CC of community college students kicking butt in their first one or two years, and then transferring to a top college(in some cases, the Ivy Leagues!). The fact you’re coming from a community college doesn’t exclude you from being considered, if that’s what you’re wondering.
It’s clear you’ve had different circumstances and/or motives to attend a CC, but if you keep up the great work, get that 4.0 or anywhere near it, be active on campus with leadership roles, and have great recommendation letters, then you’ll be receiving great news from a great college in the near future.
As to your question about retaking the ACT… If you have time to prepare for it, then it wouldn’t hurt retaking it to get a 30+. It’s just one more star to add to your profile, but be aware that your GPA trumps all.
You have a bright path ahead of ya’, good luck!
My relative had a very rocky time academically in HS due to chronic health issues. She took the SAT and did well and took the GED and got 4000 out of 4000, starting CC in what would have been her SR year of HS. After one semester of CC in which she received 4 As and 1 B, she applied to transfer to a very competitive private U. She did end up being admitted and transferred after completing 3 semesters of CC, with nearly all credits accepted at the U toward her degree (both her HS and CC were surprised). She also applied separately to be admitted into a very selective school within that U and was accepted and got her major.
The great thing about CCs is that you can get lots of individual attention, get to know your instructors and really shine. You can also take all the lower division coursework so that when you transfer you will be better able to focus on your major.
By the way, medicine takes most majors, as long as you have the math and science background, great grades and test scores, great recommendations and interviews. The specific major is not critical.