Just a warning, this is probably going to be lengthy and contain a hefty dose of personal information.
I’ll just start off with where I stand academically:
2.59 GPA (As of the end of Junior year, it has probably gone up a small bit since the last semester - I got all A’s with the exception of one B )
ACT: 26, 10 in Writing.
I will be the first to admit - I am not an example of a star student. So, with that in mind, I aimed my sights pretty low - state unis, and nothing below a 60% acceptance rate (I’ll admit even that is wishful thinking). I’ve currently been rejected to 4 schools, only waiting on one letter now (Depauw) so I’ll just be safe and call that one a loss too. I’m planning on appealing one of the rejection decisions, from Oklahoma University, with the assistance of my English teacher who has known me for 3 years and wants to write a letter alongside my appeal.
So ultimately, I’m going to ask three questions:
Should I appeal, and if so, how exactly should I go about that?
Could one (or a few) of you with some knowledge about essay reviewing go over mine for me, as I think I may have made a wrong turn there (too touchy maybe).
Community college, or a gap year (volunteer work, travel, ect.)?
- I personally HATE the idea of a CC, and my teacher doesn’t think its right for me. I feel like I won’t get the university experience that I want and will easily fall off the wagon.
Reasons & Explanations for 1 & 3:
As you might have guessed from my GPA, I totally tanked my Freshman - Junior years. I was in a very emotionally abusive home environment. I have gone through treatment for depression, anxiety, and PTSD (this is all still ongoing but not to the same degree of intensity). I have a 504 at my school currently (not sure what a universal equivalent is as I hear it varies state by state, but it excuses my absences/lateness on mornings/days that I have PTSD nightmares and panic attacks). Luckily, as you may infer from my grades this current school year, I managed to get out of that environment and I live with my boyfriend (seems crazy I know, but its a thousand times better than what I was dealing with). These would be my reasons for appeal, as the admissions counselor said that the area of concern was my GPA and to address any reasons why I did so badly. Also, apparently, they’ve never had a student appeal and then get accepted, so that’s a bit of disheartening news
As far as the CC thing goes, I’m scared that I won’t be as connected to the faculty and student body and it will be very hard to motivate myself to get things done as a result. I guess I’d like a sense of “community” so its ironic I guess, also it would be ideal for me to be able to live on campus somewhere.
So that’s about all, I think. Thank you so much for any help/advice you can give.
First off, sorry you had to deal with so much at so young an age.
I am not sure about an appeal, but honestly, if you were the college Admit Officer of a school that has to reject a good chunk of applicants, would you admit you based on what you’ve told them? Has your situation stabilized long enough for them to get a sense that you are on track to get your life together?
I would not be scared of community colleges if I were in your situation - is there one in your state where you can guarantee admission to your state school after 2 years at a CC?
What has your HS guidance counselor had to suggest for you? Is a gap year possible/appropriate for you?
How do you plan on paying for this “College Experience”, given that you are no longer living with your parents? I think that a Community College can offer you the opportunity to turn your grades around and give you the leeway to settle any issues that be still be dormant or still simmering just below the surface. IMHO, you can attend a CC for two years and then transfer to a 4-year State University and still experience 2-3 years of this so-call “College Experience”, which seems to be high on your agenda, as oppose to getting a quality education that could lead to a successful career. Given your option at this stage, you need to focus your energy at making the best of what little options that are now available to you, namely Community College. You can get a good education at a CC and use it as a spring board to greater things. Don’t knock it until you have tried it!!
Community Colleges have come a long way over the past 10 - 20 years, with a large number of them transitioning to 4-year degree granting Institutions. Maybe you should start off by taking one or two Classes over the Summer to gauge your tolerance level for that type of College. You might be pleasantly surprise by the outcome.
Give it your best shot and leave all preconceived ideas of CC at the door!! I would avoid a gap year, if at all possible, as I have seen many student go this route and never got back on track or got caught up with other issues, which essentially sidetracked their tertiary educational pursuit permanently.
@3puppies
Thank you for a response and also your sympathies, it means a lot.
I, as well as my teachers, think I am college ready. I have been in a good spot for about 1 year and I know better than a lot of people that recovery is a long and tedious bumpy road, but I believe I’ve gotten out of the worst part of my life and hopefully college won’t hinder, but will instead help my recovery. I’m aware of the amount of stress I would have to take on, though. I can see the reasons for doubt.
As far as CC goes, I’m not sure of one that will guarantee admission after two years of CC. All I am aware of is that I can be admitted as a transfer to a uni after 24 credit hours.
I go to a VERY small school, and we change guidance counselors yearly, I haven’t had much contact with her. Not to really doubt what she might have to contribute, but many students have had bad experiences with her advice. Misinformation, mostly. I’ll try to see if she has anything to contribute though.
If you don’t think you can stick with a CC, I have no idea why you think you can stick with a 4 year school if you start at one next year. I think you should go to a CC and prove that you get get better grades, and also it will be less expensive (which sounds like an issue for you). Those saying you should go to a 4 year college aren’t footing the bill… and if you can’t stick to CC and transfer, then you likely won’t make it at a four year school either. Educate yourself more on your local CCs and their relationships with the four year colleges in your state – sometimes they do have guaranteed admissions, so look into it.
@Psata82
I qualify for the full amount of FAFSA, as I’m considered an independent student (I actually had legal guardians - my grandparents). I’m not keen on student loans, but am willing to go through with that since it will probably be necessary. I understand that it may seem like I’m wary of the “stigma” around CC but it’s just that my boyfriend didn’t have a great experience with CC and several seniors that were at my school last year ended up dropping out of CC because it wasn’t what they expected. I’m not sure exactly what they DID expect, but I’m wary about the CC’s quality of education. I will admit that CC is a better option than nothing, and certainly can be more cost effective.
@intparent
I’m not concerned about the rigor of the courses. I’m concerned about the different environments, as there has to be a difference. My sophomore/junior years I went to technical school in the morning then my “home” school. They used college-level coursework. I have at least partial understanding of what I’m getting into.
I’ll read over your essay if you’d like. My apps are all sent in, and I think my essays were one of the stronger parts of my application. Would be happy to help.
Where do you live? What in-state institutions are there? Some schools are still accepting applications. If you get into a state school, there may be agreements that make it relatively easy to transfer to another state school, assuming a minimum gpa.
There are still colleges open to enrollment. Some with March 1 deadlines, so look quickly. Others have rolling admissions. Try those first and see. For example, those with 80 percent plus admissions rates and then just work hard and be a star.
Yeah, if you qualify for full federal aid, your best bet seems to be to look at ccolleges still accepting apps, especially if distance from home is not a huge concern
@slights32
Thank you so much! I’ll message it to you.
@milkweed
I live in Oklahoma, some schools are accepting applications still, but it’s very hard for me to come up with the money, I’ll definitely be applying to more though.
@Garamond
I just finished an application to another state college, 85% acceptance rate, hoping for the best.
@viewthroughkohl0
It definitely isn’t a concern, though I’m trying to focus on colleges here in Oklahoma since I’ve grown up here, and in Indiana, which is where he is from, because we will have support from his family at very least there.
Thank you to everyone who has helped me so far! I appreciate all of the feedback.
So sorry for the hardships you’ve had to face. Do you think you can get enough aid and/or loans to pay for college tuition, fees, room & board, and books? I don’t know if you would be interested or if it could work for you, but Wichita State University in KS has a 96% acceptance rate.
@albert69
Thank you for the sympathies, you’re very kind.
I believe that I would be set, if not, I’ll find a way, but whoa. I didn’t know WSU’s acceptance rate was that high. My friend whos in a similar boat got in there, so I will definitely look into it.
@milkweed
In order to get fee waivers I have to be on Free & Reduced Lunches, which was in no way possible until my senior year as my grandfather made too much to warrant that. I was 17 at the time and the form didn’t have a circumstance for me, I wasn’t emancipated or anything so I was just living with my boyfriend, they still counted me under my grandfather’s income. I just recently turned 18 and I’m not even sure if they would allow me to turn in a form this late. The GC seems like shes pretty much given up on it for me. I’ve had to pay for the ACT 3 times myself, its been hell.
To find out which colleges and universities guarantee admission to transfers from your local CC, check that CC’s website for articulation agreements. Most CCs have several of these agreements with at least one of the public universities in that same state. There should be a list of the courses required and the GPA you would need to earn in those courses in order to guarantee admission.
Happykid completed a guaranteed transfer program at our local CC in Maryland, and then transferred without any problems into one of the state Us. She had a great experience at the CC and made a lot of friends. Part of that might have to do with her major because she was in many classes with the same students each term, and they all worked together on a lot of projects. After transferring, she lived off campus with friends from her CC, and with other roommates they found through the university. She had no adjustment problems at her U. All of her credits transferred exactly as they were supposed to according to the articulation agreement. She finished at her U in just two more years.
As for the money issue: All you will be guaranteed is a full Pell Grant, and a full student loan ($5,500 freshman year). This will come to something like $11,000 max for your freshman year. My guess is that you wouldn’t be able to cover the full costs of in-state tuition, fees, room and board with that amount of money. As an independent student you can borrow $4,000 more, but you’d be looking at a debt of $9,500 just for one year of college. Get an adult to sit down with you and help you think through this very carefully. Chances are a Pell would pay for just about all of your costs at a CC and you wouldn’t need to even think about taking out any loans until you transfer to a 4-year institution.
I don’t know about Oklahoma, but from what I understand (I might be wrong here, but this is what I have been told), the guidance counselor pretty much "give away as much application Fee Waivers as they choose, without much attention to Free & Reduced Lunch. Check with the Guidance Counselor and explain your situation to see if they can bend the rule for those Waivers.
ambriehl, consider CC. I know your state has the Oklahoma Promise, which makes CC free for you, and you can easily transfer to a four year after two years. You could also get some professional training and get a job that pays well, such as ultrasound technician, or something like that. This option makes the most financial sense for you.
What do you want to study? I’m sure that there are many schools that will take you. I just hate to see a young person without much help take on a large amount of debt.
@happymomof1
Thank you for that, I appreciate your input greatly. CC is starting to look like a do-able option.
@Psata82
I wish that were the case, as far as my experience goes, its not that simple at all.
@Homeless2Harvard
Ah, that’s kind of intimidating! I’ll send it to you though, thank you so much.
@redpoodles
While OHLAP is a great program, unfortunately you’re only able to apply in your 8th, 9th, and 10th grade years. As a senior in high school, its not viable for me. Thank you so much though, you’re really very kind.
I want to be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) so I would major in Psychology/Social Work and eventually get my Masters in Social Work. Although there is (as always) a very real chance that I could change my mind while in college, but so far that’s my plan.
