<p>I feel like posting this in the HS student/College forum would be a waste. I like to get an opinion from people who have lived life and can look overall, not just for right now... Thanks</p>
<p>I have a problem. Right now I take classes at my local community college and I'm pretty sure I just failed Pre-Calc. Up until now I've had a 3.8 gpa but this quarter just did not work in my favor. I basically want to change my college list to something more realistic now that there's an F (or D) in my transcript. I'm a high school Junior. I'm finally realizing now that colleges isn't just test scores but the environment. Let me explain what I'd like in a college and maybe someone could match one for me. I want diversity, not too much just enough so I can make one or two good friends (I am African-American). But I don't want to go to an HBCU they are annoying. I want a college where the area surrounding it is not dead but lively, and I definitely want safety/security. I want a place with a rich history because even though I plan on majoring in science, museums and stories of great people form the past inspire me, and I can tell I'm going to need A LOT of inspiration during college. I want a place with a good sports team, or just something fun to watch. I love seeing all of the fans during basketball/football games have team spirit, that looks so fun to me! I'm also a big band geek I love marching bands (but not a big requirement). Location/money and all of that I'm not in the mood to talk about or post. I'm just trying to find a dream school right now. Nothing too official. Thanks! =D</p>
<p>Ok, I’m a sucker for a teen that actually asks for help There’s a wealth of knowledge on the Parent threads, so good for you for doing a post. </p>
<p>First of all… explain more about why you opted to do Pre-Calc at your cc. That will help us understand more about your school and learning preferences. Regarding the grade, don’t worry too much. How you rebound will be the most important factor. </p>
<p>Don’t worry. We won’t lock a junior into any official school yet We can help you through the thought process of developing a list, including dream schools as well as likely matches and safties (academic and financial). Defining general geograhical location thoughts could narrow things down - there’s something like 4000 colleges out there. </p>
<p>Also… be prepared to talk money with your parents soon. Your search will vary depending on whether you are seeking need-based Financial Aid or merit scholarships.</p>
<p>I did Pre-Calc at my CC because I just moved to this high school during 2nd semester of sophomore year. I joined band at my high school to 1. play my instrument and 2. Gain some friends, but I haven’t gotten so many. I just feel real lonely at my High school and wanted an intellectually stimulating environment. I also wanted to take more classes (I get to take 9 classes a year in comparison to 6 at my high school, one class at cc=1 year at high school). My schedule is way more free and I have more time for EC’s. I get to see other people’s point of view at my cc during English classes, the debates are so stimulating! At my high school so much stress, not to mention the INSANE amount of hw. I get like no hw at my cc, mostly studying which I’m somewhat good at. Math is just hard for me. I love science though , (weird huh?). Thanks for the encouragement on my grade, that helped me a lot. I’ve been crying for the last 2 hours on how bad this has been for me.</p>
<p>No suggestions at this point ( that’s a pretty wide net, except for the diversity part*) but going along for the ride! </p>
<p>With regard to the diversity part, if you mean 7 percent or more black, that narrows the field considerably, and the field leans heavily toward some pretty tough admits. but you don’t need 7 percent for friends. Well maybe if you are a girl and want to date…</p>
<p>Oh, and back in the day, I was in the marching band at Howard. Best. Time. Ever. Just sayin’…</p>
<p>You might want to tell us your location or at least what coast you are on. Do you really want to fly across the country every time there’s a school vacation?</p>
<p>Yes, you should have homework for pre-calc every night. That’s how you learn math, by doing math. Just “studying” the equations won’t cut it.</p>
<p>In addition to mommusic’s questions, here are some more questions:</p>
<p>Are you looking for a large school, small school, small class sizes or large class sizes? </p>
<p>I know you don’t want to discuss money, but you do need to consider it to make your college choices realistic. My advice is not to have any one dream school, but keep an open mind and then compare financial packages if you will need financial aid. I gave the same advice to my own children.</p>
<p>uab in birmingham al… 26% AA. urban campus, 11K undergrads, not a large out of state attendance though…about 10-12%. VERY strong for sciences, med school on campus. incredible research opportunities, excellent honors colleges…automatic merit, oos cost (20-25K for tuition dorm and food)… afraid their football team isnt very good though basketball is pretty good.</p>
<p>^A “dream school” is good if it inspires you to do your very best so you will be at the top of the heap and perhaps be one of the few merit scholarship winners. OR one of the MANY scholarship winners at another school that is perhaps not even on your radar yet.</p>
<p>No harm in dreaming, but you have to work to make your dreams come true! Like they say, opportunity knocks on the prepared doors.</p>
<p>"State: WA
Gender: Female
Race: black, parents were born in Nigeria
SAT: CR 580 Math 440 W 500 </p>
<p>I actually talked to my mom (the only one who is paying, parents are separated) and she said that she can actually only pay $10k, maybe even less (more like 5-8K) per year. "</p>
<p>My first piece of advice is to try a sample ACT and see if you do better on it. </p>
<p>I would have at least 85 credits from the cc when I graduate senior year @2collegewego. Thanks @mommusic that was a great quote, I would like small to medium class sizes but a large school. More of my stats were posted by 2collegewego. I’m studying for SAT every day now, I take tests for practice on weekends and I’m getting a consistent 1800. I don’t plan on retaking till may or june.</p>
<p>@2collegewego, the University of Washington basically told us since we are running start that we automatically get in. Also we get in at Washington State automatically, that’s no worry to me.</p>
<p>Can you retake the pre-calc and replace the grade? Our state has an arrangement whereby CC students automatically get admitted to the state u. w/preference in course selection and financial aid, after two years at cc (w/certain GPA, whichI don’t remember).</p>
<p>Maybe your best bet, since you seem to like the CC, is to stay there for two years, retake the pre-calc, do well, and then apply to either your state u. or any other school for that matter, that you can afford or that has good financial aid.</p>
<p>I would also suggest retaking pre-calc. If you want to be a science major, you likely need to take Calc I (at most colleges). Maybe take fewer classes for a semester so you can focus more on it?</p>
There’s a wealth of knowledge on the Parent threads, so good for you for doing a post. </p>
basketball is pretty good.</p>