<p>I am a 16 going on 17 high school junior male. I recently moved to a small town, and transfered to a new school of 2500 students. The school I transferred from was a small college prep school in a big city, whose sole purpose was to make sure we attend and graduated college. It had a 98% graduation rate with 99% of our graduates going to college. We also had Corporate Work Study Program which means every student enrolled works one day each week at a corporate office as an intern. We had college counslers that helped us with college related materials such as essays and applications. Basically, I was pretty sure I was going to make it into college!</p>
<p>The school that I transferred to has no type of college assistance classes or courses. Many of the students (in my demographic) drop out before they make it to graudation. Therefor I am on my own as far as finding my way to college. I feel so overwhelmed with the pressure to "make it happen" all by myself! I don't know what to do because all the ACT/SAT test cost money, and at my old school they paid for us to take those test.</p>
<p>I have to make into college, I just have to!!! But, I don't know where to begin with all this?
Can someone please help me his? I would greatly appreciate it!</p>
<p>Question- Did transferring my junior year hurt my chances of being accepted into college???</p>
<p>When parents relocate, there’s not much a student can do about it. And it probably happens fairly often. Most high schools are probably closer to the new school as far as helping with the college process. The best thing that you can do for yourself is make yourself a good consumer. There is a wealth of information on line and many books available. If money is an issue, I think that there are fee waivers for the standardized tests. Also, CollegeBoard has a nice Web site that makes getting started with the college search process easier. You have also found this site, which has lots of helpful information. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you so much! I just created an account for college board. That site is VERY helpful, and it makes college searching alot easier. I tried applying for the SAT, but I don’t have a credit card so…I guess I’m gonna have to find a fee waiver?</p>
<p>I sense you are overwhelmed not just from the changes itself, but the fact that you went from a small private school to a large public. This is a good time to assess your strengths and join lots of clubs. Colleges will look at your initiative and think you’ll do well as a college freshman. </p>
<p>Make a “game plan” about when to take certain tests (AP, SAT I and II, and ACT) and create a college visiting schedule. For the tests, you’ll probably want to take a prep class, so sign up for that too. Ask around (new friends, GC, local ads, etc) about which ones are good in your area. Don’t forget to schedule a meeting with your GC. </p>
<p>It will be quite different where you are, mostly because you have to take the initiative. Oh yeah, don’t forget you’ll be needing teacher recommendations too. In fact, find a teacher or two you’re quite comfortable with and talk to him/her about what you wrote here. They’d be glad to help.</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice. When do you reccommend I take the ACT/SAT? The Guidence Counsler at my new school doesn’t seem as willing to help as my previous college counslers were. I honestly think he cares about my future! But, I will try to talk to him and anyone else I think can help me at my school. I will also start looking for clubs around the school too.!</p>
<p>Also, I assume you’re talkiing about a lack of AP courses? Maybe try dual enrollment with your local CC if it’s offered through school (if you are in OH, MN, or WA, it is for sure :)). Otherwise, self-study an AP or two.</p>
<p>If you need a fee waiver for the SAT or ACT you have to speak with your counselor about it. I would go in as soon as possible to ask him/her about it. </p>
<p>I suppose I’ll take both the ACT/SAT in the spring. I can’t afford any prep classes right now, so I’ll use some of the online prep you’ve given me. As far as the college prep classes or courses; I researched the ONLY community college this town has to offer.</p>
<p>Here are the requirments to take classes there:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Official High School transcript (You must have a composite of at least 17 on the ACT or a 2.5 GPA, or be ranked in the top 1/2 of your class) </p></li>
<li><p>Permission form signed by parent or guardian </p></li>
<li><p>Recommendation from your principal or high school guidance counselor </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Another problem with the community college thing is money… Heres all the fees:</p>
<p>Theres also other little fees too like: Application Fee, Transcript Fee, Operational Fee, Student Technology Fee, Academic Excellence Fee, and etc.</p>
<p>Even thoguh all of this seems like ALOT…I’m not gonna let “money” stop me!
I just moved here like two weeks ago so I’m gonna have to wait until I get my first report card, but thank you guys soooo much! I now feel like I have some support on this difficult journey!</p>
<p>Spend some time thinking about what you want and can afford in a college–size; Urban/rural; etc. Ask you rparents for their thoughts. If you can, get a chance to visit some colleges to see what they are like and which vibes fit you.
Your local library has books you can borrow which will help you with test prep and finding schools.</p>
<p>Your state doesn’t offer CC courses for free with grade/test requirements met? If I were you, I would ask specifically about dual enrollment programs in the guidance office on Monday.</p>
<p>Did you take the PSAT at your old school? Are you in an area that uses the ACT heavily?
Do you need financial aid - do you qualify for need-based aid, or do you need merit scholarships?</p>
<p>Keep a notebook of all the random information on college that you’ve aquired. Write down people’s suggestions for schools - as a junior, you should amass a list of 20 or more schools that interest you, then cut the list down to a manageable number next summer.</p>
<p>Take a look at the most challenging schools on your college list, and figure out if you need SAT II tests. This will shape your testing schedule. If you need them, you should be prepared to take some SAT II’s in May or June of this year.</p>
<p>Every teacher is a college grad, and they may be helpful in your search. See if you can find one who is willing to mentor you. Believe me, being a smart and enthusiastic student is a great selling point for you. You don’t have to do it alone.</p>
<p>midwesterner: Yes, I took the PSAT at my old school. I emailed my old college counsler, and she said she’d mail me my scores when they recive them this week. The area I live in uses the ACT heavily, which is the opposite of my previous area. I have already created a spreadsheet of colleges that intrest me. I’ll create another post on that as I complete it. But WHEN should I take the SAT & ACT???</p>
<p>OHKID: I plan on talking to the Guidance Counsler tommorow after school.!</p>
<p>Transferring to a new school doesn’t hurt your chances at all.
Maybe look into an internship similar to the one you did back home.
Also, check out books about college at the library, and maybe coordinate some visits to schools so you can start thinking about what you want in a university.
Talk to the guidance counselors at your school if you haven’t done so already. Make sure they get to know you, because I’m sure they still have valuable input.
If taking college classes near you isn’t possible, look into making an independent study class at your school, and asking a teacher’s help for finding the appropriate course materials.</p>
<p>If you need both the SAT and the SATIIs, take the SAT in either January or March - whichever works best with your schedule. Take the SAT IIs in May or June, especially if you are taking the corresponding AP. </p>
<p>Take the ACT in March or April of junior year. In fall of senior year, retake the tests that need retaking!</p>