<p>I feel like an idiot. I essentially wasted three years of high school doing nothing, and I feel it is now too late to do anything about it. I've gone my whole life believing good grades in standard classes was enough to get somewhere. The amount of damage I've imparted on my school career because of that philosophy is staggering. </p>
<p>I haven't participated in any extra curricular activities save writing club. I haven't done any volunteering service (I signed up for a teen volunteer program this summer, but it's essentially too late for that to mean anything now). I haven't joined a club except for National Honor Society and Beta club recently. I have only taken one AP class, which was Chemistry, and I was terrible at it, only managing to make an 88 in the class with the extra five points. I make As in all of my classes, but that doesn't really mean anything when I want to go to colleges where every kid was making a 4.0 or higher during high school. </p>
<p>There are some okay instate schools I could get into without too much effort, but I honestly can't stand the South, and I don't think the Georgia HOPE scholarship is worth 4 years of quiet suffering. I'm trying to do all that I can to make my senior year great, but it can't possibly make up for the 3 years of mediocrity that I put myself through. </p>
<p>What I am asking is if anyone knows what I can do to redeem myself so a selective University like UChicago or Carnegie Mellon University isn't completely out of the question when it comes time to apply for colleges. I've already had to struggle with the realization that I've got no hope for Stanford when even some of the best students get rejected, but surely I'm destined for more than community college? </p>
<p>I can post some more information about my academic, financial, and personal situation if that helps, but I can only say so much because talking about myself to other people isn't easy. </p>
<p>Any help on what I can do would be greatly appreciated. This being the parent forum, I was hoping some of you who have had similar experiences or who have kids who are or were going through the same thing could offer a suggestion based on experience.</p>
<p>Getting good grades in standard classes WILL get you somewhere. Not Stanford but still some good schools. Do realize that what you’ll get out of college is proportional to what you put in, no matter where you go. Do some research, visit some schools. Talk to their admissions people about your realistic chances and go from there.</p>
<p>Do well in your undergraduate years and you’ll have more choices about employment or grad school.</p>
<p>Of course there is hope. Maybe not for U of Chicago or Stanford but those are just two of over 3,000 universities and colleges in the US. </p>
<p>So far you have very good grades, right? You say you make As in all your classes (except I guess AP Chemistry.) You’ve joined a couple of clubs, and I assume you have some other outside interests as well. With solid SATs and a compelling essay there are many fine schools out there that would love to have you. Chin up!</p>
<p>Not sure what you want people to say. Stop feeling sorry for yourself(this is a very unattractive quality and admissions officers don’t like it either) and don’t look for people to say ‘it will be okay.’ Just make the best of the next year, apply to a bunch of schools and go to the one you feel is best for you. Unless you have done something criminal or are not telling the basic story here, you will do fine, but there are consequences for all our actions and maybe your consequence will be that you won’t get into a top top school. The world won’t end…buck up.</p>
<p>Dude, my cousin was in your boat. I mean she did have sports, but other than that, no ECs and she only took 1 AP in high school. Well now next year she’ll be attending University of Wisconsin - Madison. That’s a good school, maybe not quite University of Chicago, but you’ll still end up somewhere that’s good.</p>
<p>Going to a State school is not a bad start. Let me give you an example: A very long time ago, my Ph.D. Research advisor got his BS at Ohio. Then he went on to Stanford studying chemistry under a very good professor. The work he did at Stanford contributed to his prof’s Nobel Price in Chemistry. He is now a member of National Academy of Sciences and one of the most prominent chemists in the world in his field of study. You have done a good job so far. weak EC’s won’t kill your chances for a bright future. Keep your gpa high and do as much as you can on EC. You will be fine.</p>
<p>The whole point of ECs is to demonstrate things that you are interested in OUTSIDE of school. If you aren’t really interested in any of that, well then it is perfectly OK to not do it! If there had been anything that was truly compelling to you, you would have become involved in it. What about this “writing club”? Why did you join that? What are you writing? You may just be more of an introvert than some of the people who are out there organizing a bazillion activities. It is OK to be yourself.</p>
<p>The schools that are at the top of your list are reaches for everyone. Even people who have started clubs and played sports and done whatever it is that you think you should have been doing. Keep them on your list, but do take some time to find good options that are in the Safety and Match categories as well.</p>
<p>Yeesh, thought you had cancer or something…</p>
<p>You’re a lot better off with great grades and no ECs than bad grades and great ECs. Agree with happymomof1 that you should find a good range of schools that you’d like to attend, apply and see what happens. Your school “career” won’t be “ruined” just because you didn’t go to Chicago.</p>
<p>formata, if you feel comfortable sharing more specific stats and your preferences in schools, I’m sure this board could suggest a bunch of match and safety schools that you might consider.</p>
<p>But you probably know that, and are just feeling that normal state of panic as you approach your senior year, and wish you’d done more in the past. Well, the past is the past. My son, in the midst of a discussion about colleges, said he guessed that it was more important where he ended up, not where he started. Look at what you’ve got, stop comparing yourself to Stanford or UChicago admits (yes, there are other good schools in this world!), and look at your future starting now. It can be very, very bright, you just need to shine the light on it !</p>
<p>Your specific question is, can we tell you what you can do to redeem yourself. The quick answer is, work hard to do well on this year’s upcoming exams; when school ends, start thinking about your application essay and make it as good an essay as you can, and start putting your ducks in a row on selecting a good list of schools. People on this board can help you with that.</p>
<p>Consider taking a year or two at an in-state school, saving your pennies, doing well and transferring later. Nothing wrong with that. GA State, Ga Southern, Kennesaw are worth a look. Depending on your SATs, Tech might be an option too. Perhaps UGA as well.</p>
<p>What are your SAT or ACTs? Those (along with your GPA) will give you an idea of match schools for you. You’re definitely not only eligible for cc. There are many nice colleges out there for students like you.</p>
<p>PS, Formata: I’m a mom, so forgive me for being a mom. But posting at 1:27 am EDT on a school night isn’t good !!! People always feel more depressed at night. But the bright side is that if you’re nocturnal, you already have a leg up on a good college education, since most college students seem to be nocturnal. :)</p>
<p>The information you give is not really sufficient to give advice about particular schools. But clearly there is plenty of “hope” in your situation, and the despair you are feeling is way out of proportion to the facts.</p>
<p>Do you feel there are no options between Stanford and U. of Chicago, and community college? Is this the result of your own lack of knowledge,a lack of adequate counseling, parents who do not know much about college selection? Or have you suddenly realized that you want a prestigious college with a “name” ?</p>
<p>There are so many great colleges that will be available to you, and it would seem that you need to start researching. You could also buy books like Loren Pope’s “Beyond the Ivies”, “Colleges that Change Lives,” and other books that describe colleges that might appeal.</p>
<p>We don’t know where you would like to be (east coast, midwest, south, country or city) and don’t know what your interests are (and don’t worry, many have not yet found their “passions” or have any idea of their ultimate major).</p>
<p>Extracurriculars are supposed to be motivated by interest, though of course many do do them for college applications. I would be more concerned that you have not felt any interest. Is it possible that you have been depressed, or perhaps there are other factors in your life going on/</p>
<p>Admission to NHS usually involves some extracurriculars and service. Someone in your school must think highly of you.</p>
<p>I have a daughter with the same academic record as you (actually, no AP’s) and she is headed to the “college of her dreams” this fall. It’s not Harvard, but is a creative place for creative kids who maybe didn’t play the game so much, but are bright. There are plenty of places like that.</p>
<p>Of course there are good colleges out there. You also have the entire summer to do something productive. Neither of my kids did much volunteering until the summer before their senior year and it certainly wasn’t fatal to their applications. (My younger son - who admittedly did take plenty of other APs - got an 82 in regular chemistry and it didn’t keep him out of Vassar, Tufts or U of Chicago.) No one is perfect. </p>
<p>Spending a year or two at a state school and transferring (if you still want to) is a good plan and will save your parents money to boot.</p>
<p>School is pretty much over, but I still have to go to take a final in two hours. I appreciate the advice. I guess that as useful as College Confidential has been, I’ve gotten myself to believe that only a name brand university is worth attending. I would rather avoid attending anywhere inside of the state, but if it is my only option I might just have to do it. </p>
<p>My SAT score is a 1900, and I’m definitely going to put in the effort to bring it up by two hundred points or so. I’ve got Math and Physics SAT IIs, and I’m not sure I’ve prepared properly for those. I essentially lumped all of my testing into the last month of school (AP, SAT, SAT II, finals) and my attention has been divided a lot. </p>
<p>If I do go for the transfer route, what sort of things should I be doing to make myself a good candidate for a better college? I am planning to major in Computer Science and Physics, and if I’ve got enough money, I’m going to set up my own website and server over the summer where I’ll be hosting some of my art (writing, drawings, 3d models…). What things can I do in college with the little free time I will probably have studying, to really let the admission teams know that I’m worthy of their school? </p>
<p>Thanks again for all of the advice. I’m actually feeling a bit foolish now presenting myself as absolutely hopeless.</p>
<p>EDIT - I also won’t be getting into AP Calc next year because I transfered to a different high school in 9th grade and was basically forced into regular classes, despite my pleadings. I hadn’t know that I wasn’t on track for AP Calc and now I’m worried that I’ll be the only Science major with no formal AP Calc education (I’m going to study and take the AP exams). Might there be any other way I can get an advanced math education? I’m honestly bored with the regular math classes at my school.</p>
<p>As others have mentioned, spending a year or two at a Georgia university might work well: you could save money (sounds like you’re qualified for HOPE and the Zell Miller scholarship) and perform well enough to transfer into another school if you still desire.</p>
<p>Also sounds like your SAT and GPA are within range of GA. Tech and UGA – might want to also consider those.</p>
<p>You are not hopeless. You need to talk to your GC, AFTER finals. Do the best you can. For transfers, the most important thing is GPA. You have to get good grades. ECs in college don’t mean so much. I recommend the books by Cal Newport, on how to get As in college. Then you need to pay attention to the courses you take. Take the basic,solid courses you will need for your major. I am thinking Calc, Freshman Comp, etc. You will do just fine, if you are willing to work. </p>
<p>If you can get into Gtech, it is a great school.</p>
<p>AP – calc – Is there a community college near you? Could you discuss with Guidance Counselor? Could you take class over the summer?</p>
<p>Agree with you that you should retake the SAT.Bring it up a bit and you will be in a good place for UGA and Tech, should you be interested in applying for your first few years. Have you visited them?</p>
<p>If you’ve spent a lot of time making 3D models, writing, etc., then that is your EC. 3D work on computers is sophisticated, and an attractive EC. EC doesn’t have to be some structured event, it’s something that shows you have interests, a little bit about who you are, and that you don’t spend all your time watching sports on TV. You could include photos, samples, etc. as if it were a portfolio. </p>
<p>When you get back from your exams, tell us what range your gpa falls in, and what your preferences are for schools (rural, urban, size, cold/cool/warm, etc.) and you’ll get some great suggestions for schools from the people on this thread.</p>