Edit: Sorry I posted this in the wrong sub, but the advice is still welcome
Hello everyone,
This is my first self-posted discussion for the reason of me seeking help in the area of what I should do and what would help me towards reaching my highest-goals; those being Dartmouth, Yale, Princeton, Duke, and Columbia (the main five). I am currently part of the Dartmouth admissions from the help of another university sending them my details without me asking, caught by surprise. The point of this post is a call for help in how to actually get there from my position. I may have crossed the bridge but I still have a gate to get through and currently I don’t have the resources.
What I have:
I ended with a 2.50 GPA
I have more than numerous extracurricular activities
I have a slightly strong work experience
Will be 20 this Saturday
Third-Cultured (13 Countries, Probably doesn’t matter)
What I am doing:
I am now a home-school student
Entrepreneur aiming to build 2 companies for my own aspirations
Also seeking better work meanwhile organising my businesses
Will be taking SAT’s and ACT’s
Learning French, Italian, Mandarin, and German to then maybe take graded-levelled exams
Will be taking fast-track 6 A-Levels
My aim is to apply in 5 years, working hard on how to get there while creating for myself–but I need advice on what else I should do to up my education and with work. Any/All advice will be appreciated
Are you a current college student seeking to transfer, or are you in high school? Are you an international student?
What do you mean by “currently part of the Dartmouth admissions”?
And why those five schools?
Are you looking to get into those schools for graduate school? I’m confused by your post as well.
If English is not your first language, take every opportunity to improve your English. Top schools will require fluency. If English is your first language, take every opportunity to improve your English. This may involve getting editing and instruction from people other than whoever is currently overseeing your homeschooling.
So, you are a 20 year old with a HS GPA of 2.5, who is currently self-studying 5 language and 6 A-levels while building 2 businesses. Your goal is to apply to 5 super-selective universities (one of which has some paperwork on you in their files already) when you are 25. You are asking for advice as to what you should do to improve your academic credentials and work record.
Is that correct?
If so, it doesn’t really make sense to me.
Why 25? if you are waiting to be financially independent you only need to be 24. If it is because you are interested in Columbia and Yale’s non-traditional student options, that doesn’t explain Duke, Princeton and Dartmouth. If it is because you think it will take that long to get all those things done, why are you doing those things in the first place?
And: why are you doing them? doing A-levels after HS is essentially repeating HS. Are you thinking that these top schools will see the 2.5 but then be impressed by a (too large) number of A-levels? That fluency in multiple languages will be what tips the needle to yes?
And: what do you want to go to college for- what are the goals that you feel a degree from one of these colleges will help you attain?
As a US Citizen, you are independent for Federal aid only. For need based aid, most schools have the age of 27, requiring at least 5 years of self sufficiency.
This is not a good plan. 5 years from now, you will be a non-traditional student.
Your “adding on experiences”- A levels, learning other languages is not going to move your application. They will most likely not even be considered if you have already completed high school.
happy-query: No, currently I am home-schooled and still doing extra classes as my GPA is way too low and work experience has to be upped
sybbie79: I am not sure on what other ways I should approach applying–as soon as possible seemed five years ahead as I would be more established. But I am not too knowledgable on the admissions process and ways of entry
collegemom3717: I have completed secondary school. All-the-way! A-Levels are dependant on which schools desire to have you once you have finished year 11, but I took a different root and went to college (alternative to Sixth Form: A-Levels) and I took a separate yet same type of program which provides you with different qualifications but value the same as five A-Levels. I have this and my GCSE’s, although I’d prefer to have the A-Levels as well. I am studying these languages out of choice yet thought it would also be interesting for my application in the long-run.
happymomof1: Within this time I will be taking extra classes as I have finished my secondary school already, as learning is a personal interest. While doing this in my own time, my languages, and company creation will be under-way
Both of these can not be true. Once secondary school is finished, it’s finished. There are no more classes, and only one set of end-of-cycle tests, which you have taken:
Adding A-levels would only make sense if you wanted to apply to a university that did not accept your alternative qualification (NVQ?). It makes no sense if you are planning to apply to US universities.
Self-studying and building a business for five years then applying to do an undergraduate degree (in what?) is still not making sense. What is your overall plan?
If you graduated from a high school a couple of years ago your GPA is what it is. You can’t homeschool and use those grades to boost your high school GPA.
I don’t know what this means. Why would another university send details about you to Dartmouth? If you don’t have an application on file they won’t have anywhere to keep it and I don’t think they’re going to start a file for every student who inquires about the school.
Are you a US citizen or an international student? A 2.5 GPA is below the minimum needed for the schools on your list. If you’re a US citizen who’s been raised abroad and your parents can afford out of state rates there are schools in the US that you could attend. If you’re an international student admission is very competitive. Low income students with high stats are competing for a very limited number of spots at selective schools. Low stats students are better served looking closer to home.
Yes. Of course, I’ll put this aim to rest. I did come here seeking aid after all. Thank you