Thanks + Questions

Parents Social Lounge
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<p>I posted here previously, and I can't stress how much I benefited from this forum, where I received a gret deal of a much-needed..guidance (not just advice) . And I very, soooo, much appreciate it. You people are awesome!!!</p>

<p>The background: 26 year-old African-American (grew up in Africa, African parents, but U.S. born) with little college work but no degree (performed poorly when I was at a JC due to financial reasons). English is my 2nd tounge (and pen), Arabic is my first. I excell in math and science. Math has always been my easy A+ with no to little out-of-class work, though too boring to be a career choice. I enjoy science and technology alot, but I don't like the confinement of their highly-specialized careers. As an undergrad, I think a broad subject such as psychology would offer an interesting job and a great flexiblity for grad school field-choice (if any), and would permit me to use my sci/math background. LACs are out of questin, at least now.</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=280961%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=280961&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The problem: My Writing + Vocabulary (English, offcourse). They're not even at a H.S.-level (an average Stanford freshman apllicant would make a mockery of me on any day. In English, that is). Explaination: I aspire the high academics offered at top private schools (certainly not just hunting for the prestige or brand name). While other students in America spent their first 17-19 years of life reading English books, building strong vocabulry, and getting high GPAs in History and Literature AP classes, I was doing that with a completly foriegn language. (Im not trying to apologize for or gloss my weakness, Im just trying to simplify it to readers)</p>

<p>The question: What is the best way to improve my English without accumulating more college credit, nor adding anything to my transcript(s)? What do you know about Continuing Education/Personal Enrichment classes offered at junior colleges? are they useful? I asked Mr. Google where to begin, but the responce was confusing and I was spending hours searching without arriving to a definite decision on where to start. Too many options and I have no idea who to ask or a clear picture of what method to use. Since I can't affored private tutoring, I prefer self-study, but, even with that in mind, I just don't have a clear path to follow.</p>

<pre><code>If you have little more time, read on:
</code></pre>

<p>As I mentioned in the link above, I'm already stuck with 49 semester-units from a JC1 @ 2.73 GPA (none to blame but my ignorance of driving regulations in America). I think the best way to circumvent this tragedy is to temporarily forget I was ever in college, work on my English for few to several months, take the SAT and aplly for JC2 honors' program, then apply to universities as a junior transfer with two transcripts: One from JC1 with 49 units and 2.73GPA; another from JC2 with 60-70 semester units and ~ 4.0GPA--again, all after I improve my English.
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=295957%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=295957&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I tried to be as concise as I can in order to get the best advice possible. Thanks in advance</p>

2

<p>At my CC, students are able to take non-credit ELS classes (english as a second language) and I see vast improvement within several months. Other than that or just reading and practicing writing, I really don't know how else one could become more proficient in English. </p>

<p>As for your plan, what state will you be attending a JC in? If your goal is top privates, you may have a problem since most schools will want to see the first transcript and you will have over 100 credits completed. I'm not sure how that's going to work since most schools I've looked into strongly discourage (as in give very low priority) to applicants with 90+ credits. You may want to look into moving to a state with a very good public school, doing your best at your JC, and trying to transfer there.</p>

3

<p>To perfect your English skills, I would suggest reading challenging books such as those in the AP curriculum, paying particular attention to the vocabulary. You could also write practice essays and ask people on this forum to edit them for you. Having intelligent conversations with native speakers is great, too. Despite the fact that you say your English skills aren't high school level, your post shows a pretty good mastery and ESL classes may be too elementary for you.</p>

4

<p>Read a book called "The Well Educated Mind" by Susan Bauer. It is a great resource on how to really read and analyze literature. It should be at the local library. She has a reading plan that she takes you through step-by-step, including how to read, take notes and analyze what you are reading. It isn't easy and it will be a struggle -- but you will not only gain the English skills, your determination and perserverance will show when it comes time to apply to top schools.</p>

5

<p>"I'm not sure how that's going to work since most schools I've looked into strongly discourage (as in give very low priority) to applicants with 90+ credits."</p>

<p>I would have to rely heavily on the letters of recommendation and essay(s), and, also, showing that I can handle the work of a rigor honors program at a JC (Foothill, CA or SUNY Rockland, NY) and still keep a high GPA. I don't know if this would work or not, and admission offices would never tell me if this is better, or is it better to just stay at my JC in KS (which has a very little, if any, out-of-state trasnfer rate), and repeat the classes I had there. Perhaps someone on the forum has an insight on this.</p>

6

<p>"I would suggest reading challenging books such as those in the AP curriculum"</p>

<p>This is such a simple, brilliant idea!! I will certainly do it.</p>

7

<p>
[quote]
don't know if this would work or not, and admission offices would never tell me if this is better

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I think they would though. Call the schools you are interested in (or email) and find out how they'd view your plan.</p>

8

<p>hsmomstf,</p>

<p>I looked up the book on Amazon, what a great find! I shall start with it before approaching AP texts though, I think.</p>

9

<p>"You may want to look into moving to a state with a very good public school, doing your best at your JC, and trying to transfer there."</p>

<p>This is the same conclusion to which I have arrived (as a backup plan). I shall contact few more schools and see how they view my each option, as you suggested.</p>

10

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=295957%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=295957&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

11

<p>Friction is what polishes the gem. Do not forget your past grades. Instead, look to the best option to complete your undergrad degree. You writing is very elegant for an arabic speaker. You underestimate yourself.</p>

<p>Start thinking of yourself as what you are--a sophmore transfer student with a great story and huge ambition. Why forget about small LACs? They might appreciate your diversity and give you the financial help and advising you need. Check through the list of one that give good merit aid. Wooster might be very interested.</p>

<p>Aim for Stanford for graduate school. Make sure you get a chance to do a senior thesis and make sure it will knock the socks off of the Stanford grad school committee.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

12

<p>Though I do prefer the academic experience of smaller, suburban schools, many LACs are too small for me (The size, social environment...etc are secondary factors that I may easily overlook. My only major concerns are academics & F.Aid)</p>

<p>I also haven't had time to investigate them + I stereotyped them for being less generous with aid for transfers, until I - being rather desperate - read your statement.</p>

<p>I also have the idea that a LAC degree isn't favored by top grad schools (I don't know from where I got this).</p>

<p>And thanks cheers, you really cheered me up. I really hope I am underestimating myself. Regardless, I still have alot of work to do.</p>

13

<p>I echo Cheers - your writing is extremely elegant and polished, not just for a second-language learner, but for a first-language speaker too. </p>

<p>I also recommend reading - reading anything you can get your hands on. By reading works in a variety of formats (i.e. not just fiction, but non-fiction books, newspapers, magazines, blogs!), you can not only improve your vocabulary but learn to write in differing formats yourself. </p>

<p>I'm not sure how Psychology degrees work in terms of essay writing, but when I studied Psych at secondary school our final exam consisted of 3 essay papers plus experimental write-ups. If that is the case, you may want to start reading some Psych journals, and social science journals in general, because the socsci essay format is different from, for example, a literature criticism essay.</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
I think the best way to circumvent this tragedy is to temporarily forget I was ever in college, work on my English for few to several months, take the SAT and aplly for JC2 honors' program, then apply to universities as a junior transfer with two transcripts: One from JC1 with 49 units and 2.73GPA; another from JC2 with 60-70 semester units and ~ 4.0GPA--again, all after I improve my English.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Fefinitely work on yor english becasue no matter what happens you will have gained a lifelong skill. Forget about the SAT at this point because you have so many credits (49 credits) that most schools will not consider your scores (they will know that your credits and live life will have contibuted to those scores) . As I stated in when you posted the first time, I think that you need to shift your focus and look at schools which cater to adult learners (which you are). Picking up to close to 90 credits will not help your cause (at many schools you need approximately 120 credits to get a degree, give or take) and as brand mentioned, you will have too many credits to meet the school's residency requirement (you must take so many credits in residence to be eligible for a degree.</p>

<p>If I were you, you should try to get what ever credits you can at CC 1 to complete the degree (it would help for an smoother transfer). </p>

<p>good luck</p>