<p>I applied to a number of schools and got accepted, wait listed, or rejected. I had to turn down all but one school because of bad financial aid, including my dream school --- W&M.</p>
<p>It looks like I'll have to go to the University of Texas. I know it's a great school, but I've never really liked it at all and most of my family went there. With the experiences I've had with it over the past few years, I've pretty much come to hate it. I know I should be thankful, and I am... but I'm just really down about it right now. I imagined that I'd be somewhere on the east coast walking through a small, luscious campus that wasn't known for its hardcore parties.</p>
<p>I found out a few weeks ago that I'm facing a number of felony charges from four years ago that will no doubt impact me since I was planning on trying to transfer again, go to a top 20 grad school, work for the government, join the military, or have a shot at a normal life.</p>
<p>I'm just lost and confused right now. I worked for two years maintaing a 4.0 GPA with 100+ credits and I feel like my entire life is going to end soon.</p>
<p>One year of undergrad, though I’ve got an AA from high school.</p>
<p>I was thinking of a gap year, though I don’t know what I would do during this gap year since I can’t travel out of the country at the moment or hold a decent job.</p>
<p>I wrote like a long response at 4 in the morning then my post got erased :/</p>
<p>Oh please don’t lose hope yet! You still have Emory (and wake forest?) to wait on! I promise it’s not the end of the world :(</p>
<p>Also, I’m sure you would do fine at UT! I mean, it’s so huge that you’re bound to find yur own niche somewhere…easily Just remember that it’s really what you make out of what’s given to you Also, remember that everything happens for a reason! SMILE You could always wait for another year, or just graduate early since you have so many credits…there’s always grad/law/med school. There’s always better things to look forward to than getting into a top college Or you could always change your strategy and apply to even more schools that would fit u… good luck!</p>
<p>p.s. can you pm me about how what you got in trouble for turned into felony? o.O</p>
<p>So sorry this happened!<br>
The idea of the gap year is a good one. Over the gap year, you could do volunteer work and hold down a part time job if that’s an option.<br>
On the bright side, University of Texas IS a really good school, even if it isn’t your top choice. It’s reputation would surely help you get into a good grad school if everything works out with the charges.</p>
<p>Obviously your judicial situation is hard to speak to because none of us really know the details of the case. However, as far as school goes, pick your head up. I know that you see Texas as a huge party school in the middle of a city, but it is so much more than that (which I’m sure you know, but you don’t want to admit it). Texas has great programs in a ton of departments. Since you had to turn down a bunch of schools for bad fin aid, I’m sure that means that you will be graduating with significantly less debt. THAT is something worth smiling about.</p>
<p>The Longhorn name goes far around the country, which is something to be thankful for. UT has a great network and is more than suitable for someone who wants to attend a good grad school. And Austin is the capital of Texas - great for someone who wants to potentially work in the government!</p>
<p>It seems that the fact that a bunch of people in your family went to UT is a negative in your eyes. Why? Your college experience is your college experience, not anyone elses. Not every student at UT is a hardcore partier. It’s a state school, there’s something for everyone - including you. </p>
<p>I don’t think a gap year is a good idea because I feel like you will just find yourself in a similar if not worse situation next year due to your extenuating circumstances.</p>
<p>Pick your head up. Not everyone gets to go to their first choice school. Look around here for proof of that. What matters now is that you bring a positive attitude to the table so you can succeed at UT and go on to grad school, or the government, or the military, or whatever you decide to do. If you bring a bad attitude in, you will not succeed and most of your ideas won’t even be possibilities. Success opens doors, my friend.</p>
<p>I agree with Knights09 (no surprise!). Texas has amazing resources and opportunities. But you have to take advantage of them! No one will spoon feed you. My son started helping out in the research lab the first semester he was in school! There’s just so much going on at UT that you can do whatever you set your mind on.</p>
<p>You are SO fortunate to get to attend a world-class school at in-state rates. We are paying OOS for my son. He got accepted to 9 schools, including Amherst and Wash. U, but decided to go to UT.</p>
<p>The first order of business, is to trot yourself down to Legal Aid, and find out how to deal with the charges against you. Where you go to college in the fall, or if you go at all, is immaterial until that situation is resolved. Depending on the amount of time and energy that you need to devote to your legal issues, you may not have time for college at all for a while.</p>
<p>Godric, I agree with Knights09 also. UT is an AMAZING school, I would love to go there. Austin is an amazing city, and the fact that you’ll probably attend for a lot less than some of those ‘flashy’ name brand schools just makes it better. Don’t sweat it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it once school starts.</p>
<p>You gave me encouraging words back when I got turned down by Vandy so I feel I should return the favor :)</p>
<p>p.s. remember how I was down about going to a UC, well, I got into USC, which gave me enough money that it’ll cost me the same as a UC, and I’ll probably go there. So I’m sure things will turn out well for you too.</p>
<p>Godric, you could still easily attend a top 20 grad school after completing your bachelors at UT. My brother is a UT alumni and was easily admitted to a number of exceptional law schools upon graduating. He is currently attending Columbia Law School after completing the honors BBA program at UT Austin.</p>
<p>Also, I’m currently attending UT Austin as well, and I have to say that the “party” students are by far in the minority.</p>
Just remember that it’s really what you make out of what’s given to you 
Also, remember that everything happens for a reason!