<p>I essentially slept my way through high school and earned a GPA too terrible to speak of. I did reasonably well on the SAT's, earning a 2080 each time (1st: 800WR, 720R, 560M -- 2nd: 690WR, 740R, 650M) However, my only option was to attend community college. </p>
<p>I just completed my first term there and earned all As - I simply started doing my homework, something I hardly did in high school. I feel that I can maintain this. </p>
<p>My cumulative college GPA, however, is brought down by a class I took at the CC during high school which I forgot to drop - leading to an F.</p>
<p>I don't have any real extracurriculars. I like photography, writing, graphic design.</p>
<p>But my main hobby is learning - I am endlessly intrigued by the possibility of exploring a multitude of my subjects in-depth, reading, challenging myself, making connections...</p>
<p>So my mind wants a quality education, but my high school record would not give me acceptance to any university. I am doing well at my CC, but this is just the first step..</p>
<p>So my question is: where do I have a chance to transfer (considering my high school record and lack of ECs) that will also fulfill my intellectual desires and goals?</p>
<p>I don’t “just” want to learn, I want to earn a degree that will allow me to earn a decent living doing something I am passionate about. I’m still figuring out what that is, but there is no doubt in my mind about my desire to attend college. And I enjoy college. I just didn’t apply myself in high school.</p>
<p>I hope that someone has a helpful reply…I’m looking for colleges that are willing to accept transfers who improved in college, who might overlook my high school record. I know I’m not the typical poster who has excellent high school grades, but I’d appreciate a little honest help…</p>
<p>If you want clarification on my possible majors, I am interested in Anthropology, Political Science, International Relations/Studies, Journalism, English as well as Creative Writing and Photography.</p>
<p>I don’t want my foggy-mindedness in high school to cancel out my chances of pursuing my academic goals.</p>
<p>Look at some of the “whole student” schools with a good intellectual culture … Look for example at the “Colleges that Changed Lives” group ([Colleges</a> That Change Lives | Changing Lives, One Student at a Time](<a href=“http://www.ctcl.org%5DColleges”>http://www.ctcl.org)). Show your high SATs and explain your path to a new approach in a well-written essay or letter. Also, the community college may have some resources for helping students transition to four-year colleges. Another possibility is a state university that isn’t so selective but where you can seek out excellent departments/professors. </p>
<p>If you are a little bold, pick a LAC that is relatively selective for someone with your stats (Reed, Oberlin, Grinnell, Macalester …). Schedule an interview soon. Sit down and confidently (but politely) explain why you think this school is a great fit for you, and what you think you’d bring to the communtity. Or do the same in an essay. Back up this application with a couple more to good but less selective schools (Earlham, Wooster, Lawrence, Beloit …).</p>
<p>So my advice repeats what mom told you, except I would not be too enthusiastic about a large, less-selective state university. You might get more of the same things that put you to sleep in HS … although the good news is, classes should tend to get smaller and more interesting in the last two years (and they do offer more course selection than a LAC).</p>
<p>Your test scores and CC record is great and so is your attidude. If I were on admissions at one of the schools we’ve mentioned, I’d love to talk to you.</p>
<p>Have you tried a college match site? College confidential has a college search function and [The</a> Honest College Matchmaker’s College Match Quiz](<a href=“http://www.myUsearch.com%5DThe”>http://www.myUsearch.com) is a good one too. They are free and you can put in your test scores and grades and it will give you a list of choices. Hope that helps!</p>