Juillet, you’re not helping him. I was in the same shoes. I know my scores were low but I wanted to give it a try and apply to many schools as I can. I applied to Colgate, Michigan State and four state schools. I knew the outcome that I wouldn’t get accepted. I believe he’s more prepared than I was when I was applying to college. If he doesn’t get in, then Community college will be an option for him.
@NASA2014 thank you.
@NASA2014 While it is important to be optimistic regarding college acceptances and financial feasibility to attend, it is more important to be realistic . It does no good to be accepted into a program if it is not financially feasible to attend. His current stats do not make merit opportunities realistic so he will be dependent on need based FA and loans. As a freshman he will only be able to take out 5500.00 in government loans. These are conversations he needs to be having with his mother and GC to see what is reasonable and realistic to expect. I disagree that @juillet is not helping him. She is trying to give him realistic options. Giving him inaccurate information and false optimism does not help him IMO.
Now I’m really wondering why I’m here now, every time I get bad news these days I just want to break down and cry. What’s the point of even trying anymore I’m just going to work myself so hard to the point that I mess up my health ultimately for nothing in the end. 
:’(
@Tenjin99 No one is telling you that you won’t get to go to school to become a meteorologist . What they are telling you is that there are steps that every student needs to go through to get there. Everyone has to evaluate financial resources. Everyone has to have certain grades and classes to be accepted into the school of their choice. What we are saying is these are hard things to negotiate. It is not something easily navigated by the student alone. You need to develop a realistic course of action with your mother and the supports at your school in order to decide what is the most realistic plan. That may mean people need to be honest with you regarding options. That may mean you hear things that are not pleasant to hear or you have to make compromises that you don’t want to make. You are not the only who has these decisions to make. Almost every student applying to college are dealing with many of the constraints that you are. Unfortunately working hard is just a small part of getting accepted to college. There are so many external factors that come in to play that you have no control over. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the reality. If you are feeling like you need to break down and cry every time you receive bad news, you need to seek out assistance for that as well. I strongly urge you to use the resources available to you at home rather than try to go it alone on the recommendations of strangers who know very little about your personal situation or financial situation .
Carolinamom2boys,
Your post is marvelous- clear, balanced and helpful to everyone.
Thank you for your kindness!
Now I’m not sure about what I want out of life anymore.
I am helping - or at least, I’m trying to help.
I’ve been volunteering to help high school students get into college for over 10 years, and in that span of time, I’ve seen students with all sorts of unrealistic dreams. Far worse - I’ve seen students who had few options, or only options they hated, in the spring because they built all of their hopes on just a few schools that were not within their reach either admissions-wise or financially.
My goal is not to make anyone feel bad, or kill optimism or hope or joy. It’s actually the opposite. I think it is far more joy-killing to apply to a bevy of schools that one has no shot and and then not get into any of them. High school seniors will be far happier come April - and in the long run - if they balance their lists and include some realistic options. I’ve also got the benefit of hindsight - I know lots of people who started out at their local community college and/or went to a local regional university and have successful careers.
Like @carolinamom2boys says in her excellent post, nobody is telling you that you won’t get to be a meteorologist, @Tenjin99. What people on this thread are trying to do is provide a realistic path forward for you. If none of the affordable and attainable colleges in your state offer the major, we’re telling you that there are other majors that will get you to your goal. If you have to catch up on some of your requirements, we’re telling you that community college is a totally viable way to start out. The idea of going to community college shouldn’t kill your optimism - think of it as a way forward, a fresh start. Otherwise you’ll be stuck generating a bunch of ideas that aren’t feasible for you to pursue, which will only hurt you more later.
As a side note:
It sounds like you are on an IEP. Can you talk to your school psychologist about your feelings, if you are not already? He or she may be able to help you manage your feelings and calibrate your work so that you don’t harm your health by overworking yourself.
@NASA2014 I’ve peaked the interest of the admissions committee at Northland College.
That’s cool. How did you heard of them?
@NASA2014 Cappex and I’ve already applied there and I saw the email after I got on the bus this afternoon.
When will you know you got in?
My admissions counselor will give me a heads up when the decision is made and then send the package to confirm it.
Northland is a private school that does not meet full financial need. It is also very far from home, and you said your mom wants you closer by. Have you worked something out with her now? Even if you are accepted, would you really be able to go there?
@AroundHere I’ll narrow it down when I get the finalized list of acceptance letters.
@NASA2014 My counselor was a meteorology major at Northland and I asked him about his experience there and now I’m waiting for him to get back to me.
@Tenjin99 If your mom would let you consider another state check out Western Kentucky. We toured there and met with the gentleman in charge of the program. He really has a great program in place. Western itself is pretty lenient on their admissions, so I think it would be a place you could grow while still being able to pursue classes in that field and see if it is right for you.
@flsoccermom22 do they offer good financial aid?
@tenjin99 Check out their site (if you’re in York County in South Carolina you can also qualify for in-state tuition) https://www.wku.edu/scholarship-new/beginningfreshmanscholarships.php
You can also email them. I found that a lot of the schools have been very responsive when we’ve emailed.
@flsoccermom22 I live in Dorchester County, SC so I don’t know how that works.