Should I even try?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a homeschooled high school senior. For my entire life, I've dreamed of going to college. I know what I want to major in, I know what I want to do with my life, I'm very self-motivated. I've taken several classes at a community college, I have a 4.0 there, and I'd be able to get one good recommendation and one stratospherically amazing recommendation from professors there. I have good extracurriculars that I'm very interested and invested in. I have some pretty good ideas for my essays and I'm a good writer. That's where the good stuff stops. My curriculum was not designed around standardized tests. I have zero, count 'em, ZERO APs. I'm going to take the ACT and two SAT subject tests in december. My transcript looks completely bizarre. Basically, while I'm extremely motivated, excited about learning, etc., statistically, I don't stand even a slight chance at the places I want to apply to. I've compared myself to other homeschoolers on here who are attempting to get into the top schools I want to go to, and, due to my bizarre curriculum which I'm now beginning to resent and my glaring lack of standardized testing, I pale in comparison. My mom is working extremely hard on my transcript, school report, counselor rec., etc., and is extremely stressed out to the point where I'm truly worried about her health. Because of this worry, and my almost nonexistent chances of acceptance, I'm beginning to doubt whether I should even try. I have an pretty good backup option: attending a community college and transferring to a UC (probably Berkeley). Part of me really likes this option - it would save a truckload of money, I wouldn't have to worry about my mom as much, and, if you think about it, a degree from Berkeley is nothing to sneeze at - but the other part of me is really annoyed that that would be the outcome after working so hard for so many years. I'm just really confused right now and would like some opinions on what I should do. I have so many thoughts about this racing around in my brain right now and really need another perspective.</p>

<p>Thank you in advance.</p>

2

<p>Get over your annoyance. You have a perfectly good plan going from CC to a UC which will save your family a good bit of money. Do well on your standardized tests to set yourself up for it.</p>

3

<p>I think you’re positioned well. You’re not bizarre, but interesting. Check out threads by danas in the homeschooling forum.</p>

4

<p>Just checking back in. I wanted to let you know that I’ve decided to go the CC transfer route - it just seems so much more sensible on so many levels. Thanks for your responses. I really appreciate it. It’s funny, it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off of me. I’m getting all these exciting ideas for projects, classes, etc. that I would never had time for had I decided to continue on the more traditional route! Yes, I’ve been dreaming about college ever since I can remember and I’m a bit sad that I’ll miss some of the “college experience,” but, really, I think this is a great decision. Yay! I’m excited! My mom is less stressed, as is the bank account, and, most exciting of all, I can actually do REAL WORK now! :)</p>