need advice

Applying to College
1

<p>Okay, let me give you some background.</p>

<p>And before you think I'm bragging at all here, please finish reading, heh :)</p>

<p>Through elementary school, I was a straight, straight-A student. I actually had perfect scores on my Iowa tests 3 years in a row. I was accepted in to MENSA at age 9, etc.</p>

<p>I was homeschooled from fifth grade forward.</p>

<p>Through no fault by my parents I became a complete moron. I refused to work, I got lazy, I just generally became a delinquent. I literally stopped working entirely in the 10th grade. I never took one class of high school math.</p>

<p>Now here is my problem. I'm 20, going to be 21 in a few months. I spend every waking moment worrying, I think its too late. I am completely lost, I recnognize my mistakes, and have for some time, but I feel as though its too late.</p>

<p>What I am looking for, basically, is not to hear one more time how screwed up my life is. I need advice. What should I do, so that I might have half a shot at a decent career?</p>

<p>Heres the kicker, what do I want to do with my life? Go to law school. </p>

<p>Can I possibly set a more out-of-reach goal?</p>

<p>So, any thoughts? tips? </p>

<p>I appreciate any forthcoming constructive responses, and thank you for reading my ramble, I actually feel a bit better already.</p>

2

<p>I'm assuming you graduated from high school, right?</p>

<p>Well, go ahead and apply to some colleges. Your chances will be very low (especially if you have nothing significant sine graduation). Your best option would probably be going to a community college for a while and transferring to a university. If you worked very, very hard at the community college and the university, getting into law school may be possible.</p>

3

<p>You’ve outlined the bad news… but listen to the good news…</p>

<p>You’re ONLY 20 years old, and you’ve got your whole life ahead of you. You’ve done a portion of the hard work already – reflected on your missteps, acknowledged that you’ve stumbled, cogitated on your alternatives, and begun to set some goals. The most significant work you’ve done is to recognize that YOU are the one who has brought you to your current place in life – and not blaming your parents. In turn, YOU can take on the accountability to move forward and productively toward your goals.</p>

<p>Deciding on a career in law is NOT out of reach, and especially at your young age, it is certainly NOT too late. You can realize your goals, but you want to take some deliberate steps to setting down your goals concretely. Part of the value is the process of goal-setting, and part of the value is having a mechanism that will allow you to track your progress. Although you are only 20/21 years old, let me suggest that you consider yourself as a “working adult” who is a “returning student”. Your circumstances are very similar, and this will help to give you a constructive framework.</p>

<p>Check out the following link on Goal Planning to go back to school:
<a href="http://www.mygoals.com/pub-viewGP.jsp?goalPlanTemplateId=94&category=Admissions%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.mygoals.com/pub-viewGP.jsp?goalPlanTemplateId=94&category=Admissions&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>You will need support, so I hope you can share your vision with your parents. If you have truly realized an epiphany, then they will support you so long as you keep up your end of the bargain. I think most parents would lend as much support as they could if they are convinced you are serious about your objectives – but make it easy for them, map out your plan first to show your commitment.</p>

<p>The obvious alternatives for college would be starting at a community college or a state college without difficult admissions criteria. A community college will not require that you have graduated from H.S. If you need, study for the GED and take the test first. </p>

<p>Here are some things to keep in mind:</p>

<ul>
<li>Keep a focus on your long-term goal</li>
<li>Set realistic short-range objectives</li>
<li>Know that it’s not where you start but where you end up</li>
<li>Persevere</li>
<li>Believe in yourself</li>
</ul>

<p>Good luck!</p>