Looking for guidance

Pre-College Issues Home Schooling and College
1

<p>Hi, my name is Jacob and I'll be graduating high school this year at the age of 19. I went to public high school for 2 and 1/2 years, and failed nearly every class. I am currently enrolled in a charter school(options for youth), which is basically like being home schooled. I have just a few elective credits to complete, then I'll be able to receive my diploma. So here is my issue, my teacher gave me algebra 1, geometry, and an online geometry class, which she informed me would fulfill all 3 years of math credits. As far as I know, algebra 2 is a part of the a-g requirements, so I assume I will not be able to attend any type of university out of high school, and would like to know if i'm correct in this assumption. Secondly I would like to know if I should go through with my plans of attending community college afterwards, or If I should take algebra 2 before graduation and apply for a university, seeing as I am graduating 2 years later than I should have.</p>

<p>I have really ruined my high school grades and I'm really just looking forward to being done with it. I don't want the rest of my life to be a failure, and I really want to turn my life around. I dream of going to a top university, and want to prove to myself that I can land my dream job. I just want to know if i'm out of my mind, or if I really can work my ass off and transfer into a top university. I am willing to do WHATEVER it takes, and I'm ready to dedicate every waking moment to my studies and extra curricular activities. If it's possible, please guide me in the right direction, because I really am confused.</p>

<p>Sorry if i'm asking a lot of questions, and I look forward to any/all replies.</p>

2

<p>Options for Youth actually is nothing like being homeschooled.</p>

<p>You do have a couple of options. I think you will find particularly private colleges that won’t require you to have completed Alg. II in high school. But there’s also the cost factor to consider.</p>

<p>If you were my student, I would encourage you to go to community college for two years. You said that you’ve messed up your high school grades. CC would give you an opportunity to show universities that you are serious about your education. Pay attention to what classes you need to accomplish your goals. Meet with a guidance counselor at CC, and along with considering their advice, CHECK the catalog to make sure they are advising you accurately. (We have problems here with CC advisors giving bad advice.) Two years of CC will also save you a LOT of money instead of going directly into a four year university. </p>

<p>You should definitely consider completing (or having your parent/s complete) the FAFSA now. You don’t have to know what you are doing next year, just go ahead a get it filed soon.</p>

<p>Graduating at 19 is not really a big deal. If you are, as you say, two years behind, it shows a lot of motivation and dedication to get back on track. You’ve chosen the more challenging path–it would have been easier, at least at the time, to drop out when you were 16. Good for you for seeing this through!</p>

<p>Don’t give up on your dream. A top university is absolutely still in your future.! Work hard, and take advantage of the opportunities presented to you!</p>