Non-traditional ADHD transfer student, computer science

Transfer Students
1

<p>So, I hate school. Hate it. However, I do love learning, and I have more time for learning when I'm working only part-time and taking boring classes in community college. Unfortunately, at the end of next semester, I'm either going to have to go back to working full-time or go to another school. </p>

<p>Strongest contender on my radar right now is a local liberal arts school with a so-so CS department. I'm currently in a 2+2 program with them and already accepted. It's a no-brainier.</p>

<p>Except... Some of my CC teachers have been putting highfalutin ideas into my head about applying to better schools. They say I'm smart enough to succeed in a more challenging CS program and going the local school would be a waste of time.</p>

<p>However:
0) My grades aren't great since I've done as little work as possible in order to have time for my own projects.
1) I have really bad ADHD (go to school on a vocational rehab grant).
2) I am dirt poor (my EFC is $0), so I couldn't go anywhere without full financial aid.</p>

<p>I'm a 29-year-old white girl with a 2.7 GPA and ACT score of 30 (although that was over 10 years ago). Lots of awesome current EC's, if that matters.</p>

<p>So, advice please. Should I:
A) go to Local Liberal Arts School and not bother applying anywhere else
B) apply other places, don't hold my breath
C) apply other places and only continue college if I get a sweet deal at a Good School (dunno what that even means at this point)
D) forget about getting a Bachelors and try to find a job with the skills I've already got (Java, .NET, HTML, etc)
E) do something else
F) do some combination of the above
G) stop now before I run out of letters</p>

2

<p>I’m in the same boat as you in some respects. While I’m a few years younger I’m still a non-trad student CS major in CC and while my GPA is quite a bit higher I do understand where you’re at right now. I too have ADHD which I feel I’ve had to work twice as hard to focus as my peers and also my EFC is $0 so money is a huge factor at the next school I attend next.</p>

<p>My advice to you is to apply to other places and see where you can get in. Obviously you won’t be able to apply to quite a few places because almost everywhere has a min GPA requirement to even apply. Some are 3.0 others are 2.0. For example Texas Tech would accept you as long as you have a certain amount of credit hours, I believe if you have 24 or more hours you’d be accepted if you have a min GPA of 2.25 which you, and if you qualify for a scholarship of $1,000 or more you’d be eligible for in-state tuition. Which it might not be the most economical solution nor does it have a top flight CS program, it is an option. I don’t know where you live, but I’d certainly look into all of your options, even if it takes a lot of research. That’s just my 2 cents.</p>

<p>Your GPA may hold you back in some instances, but as long as you want it bad enough you’ll find a place you’ll like and be more comfortable at for sure. If you raise your GPA you’ll have a better shot at better schools, your ACT is really good regardless of how long ago it was. However, all of what I said (long winded as it is) doesn’t matter if that’s not what you really want to do. If you want to obtain your Bachelor’s, do so and if you feel like you can find a job with your current skill set, do so.</p>

3

<p>Whatever you do, don’t just do your job. Go and get that degree in one way or another. </p>

4

<p>Thanks darth. I live in West Virginia, so in-state choices are kinda limited. :confused: It looks like WVU and Marshall are the best options? I am working on my GPA. I was only recently diagnosed with ADHD so I really messed up my grades before that. Now it’s a little more under my control.</p>