I applied to very competitive universities and was denied, typically. Due to medical reason and hospitalizations, I was unable to turn in certain documentation which lead to half of my colleges having incomplete applications or denying me due to not turning in materials in time (limited space). The only colleges I had left was a local CUNY by the name of John Jay and another community college by the acronym of “BMCC.” My interests are to transfer to a 4 year and perhaps Cornell University as I believe I now have the maturity and responsibility to attend this College. The problem however is that I’m interested in the medical sciences while John Jay supplies ONLY Criminal Justice, Law and Government related majors. On the other hand BMCC’s only relevant major to sciences is the Biotechnology Sciences. BMCC has more extracurriculars to choose from and more options for me. Both of these colleges are filled with quite the undesirable and incompetent types of students (given it’s a NYC Public school), do you think I should risk my enrollment to John Jay to request letters of appeals to numerous Universities that had denied me or should I attend John Jay…or should I forget about both and stick to the community?
I would suggest that you not attend John Jay as it is clearly not a good fit for you as they do not even have your major.
So after that, then you should just appeal your decisions as you have nothing to lose and see how that goes.
If all else fails go to the CC as it will be a better fit for you, so going there will give you the best shot at transferring to your dream school.
“quite the undesirable and incompetent types of students”… how lovely.
Obviously you don’t want to go to those schools. People can smell contempt.
Yet you’ve been denied by the schools that presumably have desirable and competent students.
I think you’re in between a rock and a hard place: you only want the schools that don’t want you.
OK, in an attempt to be kinder:
There are still schools with open seats: http://www.nacacnet.org/research/research-data/College-Openings/Pages/College-Openings-Results.aspx
Included on that list are Hofstra, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Fredonia, Pace, and a huge variety of other schools. If none of the schools you’re currently accepted to are the ones you want, you may want to look at the schools on the list.
Keep in mind, though, that those “quite undesirable and incompetent” kids who attend NYC public colleges are kids, just like you. They have plans and ambitions, just like you. I’ve taught any number of kids who ended up attending CUNY schools-- John Jay in particular has a great criminal justice program. And I’m fairly sure that BCCC sends quite a few transfers to SUNY Binghamton.
They may not be the right fit for you, and that’s fine. But your contempt for the student body of those schools is a huge problem.
@bjkmom Spot on, I was in a F rated public high school and communicated with most of the students all telling me they’re attending that community. It is perhaps contempt, I may find others with ambitions but I visited most of those colleges, from what I saw in a 30 minute time span wasn’t too bright, especially John Jay, also looking at the school’s stats, the clubs, etc.I speak from experience not rumors. I am aware that I deserve the dilemma I’m in for being naive and etc but you’re right I want schools that don’t want me. I apologize for being too crude, but I’d definitely not prefer attending either, if it’s mandatory, sure, ill transfer with haste though.
As for the schools with open seats thank you SO much for this information, I hadn’t been aware that Hofstra and Buffalo are still accepting. I will most certainly apply to both! The cost however is a problem with Hofstra, it’s only 5k less than an Ivy League but I’ll apply to scholarships. Thanks so much for this information, you’re an angel 
What are your GPA and SAT/ACT scores? How much can you pay?
@txstella GPA is 3.0 Unweighted, SAT is 1800. Low income family <30k.
Last term 3.8, SAT now (haven’t taken will in october) 2200.
And what evidence do u offer to demonstrate that u suddenly “have the maturity and responsibility to attend [Cornell]”? Just because u say so?
The low income kids who get into the most selective colleges are the ones with high GPAs.
You just graduated from high school? I think you need a realty check. Bringing up your SAT by 400 points seems very unlikely.
I’d advise you to contact SUNYs, CUNYs and CCs and ask if they are still accepting applications. Your stats won’t qualify you for much merit aid. NY has some very good public options.
It is time to deal with the here and now.
@GMTplus7 Evidence I don’t have the obligation to give you, that wasn’t my question either, I wrote that to supply my incentive on attending, I admire the school, so I studied harder, got better grades became more involved.
@txstella I took numerous practice exams with Collegeboard’s online course practice tests, there was quite a difference. I spent my entire year last year and (this summer) studying for numerous exams, I gave up my hobbies for this. Don’t believe me? Fine with me. But I am planning on investigating other colleges, if not, I’ll attend BMCC. Would it matter what major I pick though, since I plan on transferring anyways?
Taking the SAT after you graduate from HS probably isn’t going to matter one bit.
The thing you need to do…start your applications early enough that you can finish them ON TIME even if some extenuating circumstances crops up. You did not get accepted…because you had incomplete applications when the deadlines came…and many others did not.
In terms of financial aid…at this point, it’s likely that ship has also sailed for,the 2015-2016 school year. Those deadlines are long gone too…except that you can complete the fafsa for receipt of a Direct loan ($5500), and possibly a Pell Grant, if you are eligible to receive one.
Deadlines are extremely important. Getting all the admissions materials complete imoortant too.
If you were in the hospital so long, with such sever medical issues, perhaps going to college away right now isn’t the best choice.
Regardless…transferring to an Ivy is not a slam dunk. Many have extremely low transfer acceptance rates, and others don’t accept transfers…at all. Some don’t accept transfers in certain years.
@GMTplus7
@txstella
Sorry for the behavior by the way, rereading my messages and I found that I sound rude and pretentious, I’m really stressed right now 
I’ll try to be less hostile
I appreciate the apology, as do all the kids here thinking of BCCC or John Jay.
Take a look at the whole list. I mentioned just a few, (and Hofstra would be way out of our price range) just to give you an idea of the variety of schools that have openings.
But do it today— Sunday. Get things rolling as soon as possible. Tomorrow morning get into guidance with a list of schools you want your info packet sent to.
Keep in reasonable- take a look at the median SAT scores and GPA. Know that in all likelihood it may be too late for much financial aid. Ask at school about any local scholarships that haven’t already passed their deadlines.
SUNY may very well be your best bet in terms of finances. I think I saw Delhi, Fredonia, Oswego and Alfred in addition to Buffalo on that list. It sounds like you want to stay fairly local. The list has a state selection feature-- try NY and PA and NJ and CT and MA for starters. Come up with a list of schools that you have a decent chance at getting into-- this is no time for “reaches.” Cross reference the list with this one of schools that don’t require an application fee http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/lists/list/colleges-with-no-application-fee/1681/ and apply to as many that you think you have a good shot at as you can… if they’re Common App schools it will make the process a whole lot easier.
@thumper1 Thanks for the helpful post :), I read from some threads that many undergrads retake the SAT when transferring to another college, I figured I could do that.
I already signed for FAFSA and TAP got 11.6k grant, not all of my information for some colleges were late, some had later Deadlines than others, I can assure you the most competitive I applied to was Cornell, Colgate and NYU, I was under-qualified for those colleges regardless if it was on time or not, I was under the notion that perhaps with my extracurriculars my low GPA and SAT scores may be excused, but of course I learned my lesson, the denies only served as a motivation for me to work harder. I’ve also considered the possibility of being denied, and Cornell is certainly a reach school for me. Stony Brook is my main interest but if I do get accepted to Cornell then I would certainly attend.
Next year (or the year after) when I plan on transferring I’ll make sure to have all of my materials secure and be prepared, not procrastinate and such.
Just in case you’re wondering, the hospital thing though was theorized that due to a cancer I had acquired at an infant age, the side effects of medication that I take are severe, there was a problem in my testing with severe pain in the abdominal area. This pain is still not known and I still have to take studies every 2 weeks :(.
@bjkmom I saw the whole list in the New York area, Fredonia would certainly be of interest to me, I applied a while ago but never sent my information packet because I had other schools in mind (fickle of course). I’ll make sure to create a list of schools I have a certain chance for, and search for scholarships. Thanks so much for the help, all of you thanks so much, I’ll make sure to do all of this wonderful advice you’ve given me!
Hamlin…are you looking for an affordable school for 2015-2016? If so, that could be a challenge.
@thumper1 Yeah, given my financial predicament, it’ll be quite difficult. If nothing is found, I’ll attend my local community college and do the best of my ability and transfer when I feel that I am prepared, plus some CC’s have programs that link to numerous other colleges, like the other previous poster said there are NYC Undergrads in the same predicament as I am, I’ll just bond with them instead of the others I have encountered in the past. Thanks for the post thumper1.
So hopefully you spent all of yesterday narrowing down your options and filling out applications? And today you’re headed to guidance, to get your paperwork headed to several of those schools???
Good luck!
Let us know how it turns out!
Hi,
I decided on the following in order of preference
1.SUNY Fredonia
2.SUNY Brockport
3.SUNY Oswego
4.Hofstra University (Too Expensive, if I can afford I’ll attend)
5. Robes Wesleyan College (Eh)