<p>I am about to be a senior with a
a 2.96 GPA and a 22 ACT score (retaking in September). I wanted to major in engineering but at this point I do not actually think I will be admitted anywhere. Do you happen to have any suggestions as to what I may be able to major in?</p>
<p>Gabriela, what do you like? Honestly, without knowing you, or your interests, it is impossible to suggest a major.</p>
<p>I will say…my husband flunked out of college. Many years later, he returned to a community college, completed his gen ed courses,with excellent grades, and matriculated at a four year college,where he received his degree in engineering.</p>
<p>Perhaps you can do the same…start at a community college…you will need to do well for your two years there. Make,sure,the community college has articulation agreements with four year schools. take CC courses…maybe you will do well in the engineering prerequisite courses…maybe you will find another course of study you like more.</p>
<p>At the end of the two years, apply to a four year college with an articulation agreement with your community college. Your SAT scores and high school GPA will not be,considered…but your performance at the community college WILL.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Do you really have a strong interest in engineering? Have you seriously explored the field and understand what it entails? If so, don’t give up. Many community colleges have engineering majors with matriculation agreements at 4 year schools, and admissions should not be a problem. What you do when you get there is up to you. Your GPA could mean a lot of things, but engineers usually have a strong aptitude for math which is not demonstrated by you ACT score. However, if you really want to pursue engineering you still can give it a shot. If you are just pulling engineering out of a hat as a major though, I would think you should look elsewhere. Have you done any interest based assessments?</p>
<p>lol thumper, I guess we are on the same wavelength at the same time!</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice! Although i have not considered community college as an option, I do believe it would be the best decision if I want to become an engineer. I found out that Purdue has a satellite school in Calumet which may be a huge possibility. </p>
<p>If in the end I do decided to not major in engineering, do you think that my stats I could be a candidate for either nursing or business?</p>
<p>I think you need to prove yourself before you will be accepted to a business or nursing program. Some community colleges have 2 year nursing programs, but my understanding is they are very competitive.</p>
<p>So, in the end, if I would like to become an engineer it will take me 6 years to have a bachelors degree?</p>
<p>One more question, how would scholarships work if I went to community college first and then into engineering?</p>
<p>How do you figure six years? Two at a community college…then two at a four year university to finish (that is what DH did).</p>
<p>Ohh! Ok, I think I understand the process now. Thank you!!</p>
<p>Re: scholarships…I hate to say it…but with your current GPA, it is unlikely you would get a scholarship in an engineering program now. If you go to a community college, you will save money especially if you are able to commute from your parents home. Some four year schools do offer scholarships specific to community college transfers, but without a crystal ball, it is impossible to say of you would qualify. At this point, I think you need to take it one step at a time.</p>
<p>I agree. You have been very helpful! Can’t thank you enough. Nothing else than to see what the future holds.</p>
<p>As an aside, Gabriela, my daughter had a HS GPA that was much higher than yours, and SAT scores that were significantly better as well. She didn’t even bother to apply directly as an engineering major because she KNEW acceptance was unlikely. She matriculated at her university as an undecided arts and sciences major…but took ALL of the engineering sequence her freshman year…and sophomore year in college. She transferred into the college of engineering as an engineering major the second term of her sophomore year with a 3.4 college GPA, and mostly A’s in her science and math courses.</p>
<p>That also sounds like a good idea, but since my GPA would not allow we to receive any scholarships wouldn’t it be much more less expensive to go to a community college rather than into a university? </p>
<p>I could go into Purdue then transfer into their college of engineering?</p>
<p>Yes…that was my point. I think starting at a community college…and doing well would be your best choice at this point. It would save you money, and also give you the chance to see what kinds of courses really are of interest to you. Then, you would have on.y two years left to complete your degree (I should,add…it might take you a semester longer if the courses don’t align).</p>
<p>You might also decide there is a different course of study you like better. See what your CC has to offer. Some students get their associates degree in a field, the work to save money to complete their four year degree…or attend part time college while working.</p>
<p>There are MANY ways to achieve your goal of getting a college degree.</p>
<p>Seems like the perfect idea! I will try to find out more about this option!</p>
<p>Yes, community college would be a great place to sort though things.</p>
<p>You need to discuss with your HS guidance counselor which Indiana schools (presume you live there from colleges mentioned) you are likely to be accepted into when school starts this fall. Your gpa sounds low for Purdue and engineering programs often have minimum gpa’s in related subjects for various programs such as engineering. Your best bet may be starting at a community college where you can take many courses needed before engineering (such as calculus and other general college credits) while getting stellar grades. You will either do well and want engineering or discover another field while there. You can then apply to Purdue (or elsewhere) with better grades. </p>
<p>You also should do your best to learn as much as you can in HS- you want the best foundation for college classes you can get. Your senior year grades may not be as influential as your current gpa in being accepted to colleges but will give you good study habits and set you up for success in any college.</p>
<p>Hi Gabriela. You’ve already gotten great advice, but I just wanted to chime in to tell you I had almost identical stats in high school, and after a year of community college I had a 3.7 and could go almost anywhere I wanted. It’s never too late to turn it around and do really, really well. I never knew I could do that well and things just clicked for me in college.</p>
<p>Scholarships for transfer students are incredibly hard to come by. I wasn’t offered any and I applied to maybe five or six Michigan state schools. The big money is saved to entice incoming freshmen. But, you and I were in the same situation… My stats were too low to get scholarships as a freshman anyway. Start planning now how you will finance those two years at Purdue or wherever you go, and don’t plan to borrow it all. I did and I should have lived at home to save money and worked my tail off to pay for as much as I could without debt.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your advice! I will have a conversation about college with my counselor once school starts in August. Although my dream was to go straight into a university, I think community college would be a safe alternative. Purdue University- Calumet seems like my number one choice right now since I believe it will be easier to transfer into the actual university it is a part of. Again, thank you!</p>