<p>I'm a kid that could be described as the lazy genius. Not trying to toot my own horn or anything; but I'm damned smart. Thing is, I was lazy in high school. I'm a senior now, and will be graduating in June.
My SAT score was nothing fantastic; 1960 total (reading 660, math 640, writing 660) and my GPA is in the dumps. Around 2.0, give or take a tenth, I really don't remember at this point. </p>
<p>I took all AP courses throughout high school; did well on the tests but horribly in the classes because I would never do homework. I really felt I didn't need to homework but eventually learned from my mistakes and brought my senior year GPA up to a 3.</p>
<p>I was denied from all UC's (It was a giant stretch but I wrote some good essays and asked for exceptions; oh well). I've been told by SJSU that I may have a chance and that they will let me know soon. I come from a disadvantaged household being run by my single divorced mother.</p>
<p>What are my options? </p>
<p>I have already filed applications at the two local CC's, but I'd really prefer not to have to go that route.</p>
<p>I have quite a few good outstanding EC's; I've been running my own successful e-commerce business for a few years now; I've played -and competed and ranked nationally- in classical piano since I've been four, I've received the Outstanding Community Service award from the Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as being featured in the local paper and on the network news. I live in the SF bay area as well.
I'm also from a mixed Chinese/Caucasian/Native American background; and I'm a polite well-spoken individual. </p>
<p>Are there any options for me besides community college?</p>
<p>Edit:
I plan on getting a degree in EE as I'm very technically oriented; but I'm also a great public speaker and communicator. I also plan on going to graduate school for an MBA.</p>
<p>That might be the best option. Just go to CC and excel. Then, you might be able to get into a pretty good school. =] It's not a great option. But, it will work out if you try hard at CC.</p>
<p>I thought about that, but I'm unsure about how taking a gap year would affect my chances for admission. I plan on getting a degree in EE as I'm very technically oriented; but I'm also a great public speaker and communicator. I also plan on going to graduate school for an MBA.</p>
<p>Seriously, it's sad to see great minds go to waste because they were lazy (I think this will happen to my brother). It's good to see that you learned from your mistakes - that is the point you must place great emphasis on. Sure, Stanford and Caltech might not like you at this point. You're not doomed however.</p>
<p>First order of business - consider talking to SJSU, or having your guidance counselor talk to them. Really place strong emphasis on the fact that you learned from your mistakes and are motivated.</p>
<p>If worse comes to worse you might have to consider a gap year (I don't know how much that will affect you), or staying at a CC and applying to transfer somewhere.</p>
<p>i have a feeling that a gap year won't allow you to do anything much more impressive than what you're already doing and your college admission returns will come back pretty much the same.</p>
<p>just go to a cc, cut the "laziness", and make the best of it. go to a uc in two years. there's nothing wrong with this "route".</p>
<p>ccs have amazing transfer rates. being in california only gives you a big advantage. like ^^ just cut the laziness, go to school, do well, and transferring will be a big opportunity for you.</p>
<p>If you do not already have your high school diploma in hand, stroll down to the guidance office and pester them until they put you through the screening tests for dyslexia and attention deficit disorders. Then, if they find you have an identifiable learning disorder, pester them until they help you develop a plan that will let you use your strengths to compensate for your weaknesses. Honestly, someone in your school has slept at the wheel for four years if you were pulling a 2.0 in classes because you didn't do the homework, but you aced the final exams. That is an almost CLASSIC indicator for attention disorders.</p>
<p>And do please find something that you really are interested in to pursue in college/university! When you are focused on your work and can keep a goal in sight you will do just fine.</p>
<p>holy crap, you remind me of me.
the problem I have is that I think I'm a little above community college. which is probably wrong.
a gap year program might improve your chances. what about one in a foreign country, or one with charity work?</p>
<p>Most smart under-achievers probably do have an "attention" or an "executive function" issue. Which is not to say that it is a bad thing, but just that ya gotta get honest about how/when you do your best work, and figure out ways to keep yourself on track. And, unfortunately, the schools aren't always good about catching this and helping you learn how best to work with the brain you've got.</p>