please be generous and please,help me:(

Applying to College
1

<p>I have been thinking forever about whether if I should post my dilemma on this or not. After reviewing other people’s posts and questions, I felt terribly overwhelmed and was ashamed about my situation. But I figured it can’t be so bad to ask for some help from you guys since I am so down in the dumps and lost with everything at this point. </p>

<p>I just graduated high school this year. I am from China, and I came to America about 5 years ago by myself for better education that’d help me out with my future career. I am also a pianist and I have been taking lessons and such for almost my whole life.</p>

<p>When I first came to America, I can’t even describe how lost I was. I didn’t know ANYTHING about ANYTHING! What I had to learn was a little more than just a new language, but American teenager’s culture, interests and more. </p>

<p>High school was always fun though. I always had lots of friends and because of that, I learned to speak English very fast without any accents, and everyone always think that I was born from this country because of the way I act, talk and etc. </p>

<p>But obviously, that doesn’t mean a lot though. I have most horrible awful grades. My GPA is probably nothing you can guess. I probably had the lowest GPA in my school and I don’t even doubt that. I’d say that my GPA is around D’s. I do have a serious ADHD that is being treated right now but not when I was in high school. I do have language barrier especially with writing and understanding (reading, vocabularies). But these are just going to be another Asian student’s clumsy excuses to my college admission office.</p>

<p>I probably have the LOWEST SAT scores also. I got around 1200 on the new SATs. And yes, I didn’t get accepted to any of the colleges I applied to. But I was so stupid and naïve with my choice of colleges. I applied to 5 colleges and all those schools were very challenging. Not just for me, but for a lot of other people. But I trusted my musical ability and thought that I was going to get in somehow. </p>

<p>I can say that I am very good with my major but I really don’t think that I can get into ANY colleges that are in this world. But if I don’t get into a college by this January I have to go back to my country because my parents are so sick of my lack of enthusiasm and lack of EVERYTHING ELSE. </p>

<p>Right now I live in NY, and I am planning on applying to schools that are in NJ because I have a cousin who lives there and I was going to see If I can get into any schools around that area so I can commute from her house. </p>

<p>What should I do? Do I have chances at all? I heard about a few schools like Farleigh Dickinson, William Paterson, Montclair and more. But these schools seem like very challenging schools for me. I am also applying to music schools and they don’t usually look at my grades but none of those schools accept students for spring. </p>

<p>I feel so nervous posting this, I know you probably are going to think that I am dumb and lazy, and yes I know. But I need some advices with colleges, especially ones in NJ.</p>

<p>Please, please help me. I’ve never felt so powerless and weak.</p>

2

<p>You'll probably be better off staying in NY and going to a community college there. You'll have state residency, which means that your tuition will be as low as it can be. In addition, at all community colleges that I'm familiar with, if you get your associates from them and follow an academic courseload, you are guaranteed that you can transfer to an in-state 4-year public college. Just make sure that when you select your community college coursework, you make sure that you are selecting the courses that will put you on track for a 4-year college. Your advisor at the community college can help you with that.</p>

<p>Community colleges are excellent places for students like you who are highly motivated need some extra support in order to flourish. Most of the teachers truly like to teach, which means you can get the help you need. Community colleges also usually have excellent services for students who need help because of ADHD or other problems or because English is their second language.</p>

<p>You haven't mentioned how you'd pay for college, but if $ is a concern, you probably would be much better off going the public university route. The types of colleges that you could get into don't have large endowments, so don't have much financial aid. At best, you'd get very loan-heavy packages. If you start at a community college and then transfer, you'll probably also have the most affordable experience at an in-state public university. Many colleges lack $ for transfer studetns. In state public universities, however, may have special scholarships for top transfer students.</p>

<p>I also suggest that you post on the Parents Forum here because there are lots of informed, nice parents who give good advice.</p>

<p>Remember that your scores do NOT reflect your intelligence. It's very difficult to have to take tests in a second language that you are still learning. Don't compare yourself to the people whom you see posting on CC. Most are probably around the top 1% of college-bound students. The average SAT v score in the US is about a 520. The same is true for math. Most of the people taking the test are native born Americans. Consequently, your score isn't bad -- for someone who's still new here. Your scores will go up, and it will be easier for you to get a good average as you stay here longer and your language skills continue to strengthen.</p>

<p>While there are Asian students who have sky high SAT v scores despite only being here a short time, they must be people who are highly gifted at languages. Most people simply can't do that no matter how much they study, so don't put yourself down because of your scores. </p>

<p>I don't suggest that you apply to music schools unless you plan to be a professional musician.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

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<p>thank you so much for your help,i really really appriciate it.I am planning on becoming a professional musician and i did go to Juliard pre-college for 3 years but pre-college doesn't mean anything. I'm in the 'real world' now, so
the competition between these musicians are crazy and also, they dont offer spring semester admission.The only problem with going to community college is that they dont have the course that i need/want to take; which is music performance. Even though it is hard, my parents are willing to help me with my college tuition, but i just dont know what to do..but thank you so much for your help, it really did help me alot.</p>

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<p>Being Chinese is hard. </p>

<p>America has many colleges. If you can afford it and if living by yourself is ok, then try to go to a college outside of NJ.</p>

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<p>Hey thank you so much for your help.what colleges outside of nj would i have chances? thank you so much.</p>

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<p>Since you want music performance, in addition to posting on Parents' Forum, also post in the college majors forum. You'll probably get some informed help in both places.</p>