<p>So I've got a complicated high school history: expelled freshman year over possession of Spice (synthetic marijuana) in school. Ended up being transferred to another area HS in the same county for half of 3rd qtr and 4th qtr. Excelled at that school (nearly straight As) and was readmitted to my old school the following year. Combined GPA of both schools that year was a 3.4</p>
<p>Sophomore year I took honors English 10, an engineering course (.5 GPA boost awarded at the end of the year when county officials determined the course honors-worthy), and AP World History. I took these more rigorous courses to prove myself to the school, but unfortunately I got back into bad habits with the old crowd and my grades suffered heavily (2.7). Regardless I got a 4 on the AP exam.</p>
<p>Junior year, I slowly got my act together when realizing my future seemed utterly screwed lol. I am currently taking two AP's: AP U.S. History and AP Environmental Science (expecting 4/5 on both exams next week). My grades in all my classes rose from a C average 1st qtr, to a B average 2nd qtr, to a B+/A- average 3rd Qtr with my highest grades being in my APs (A in APES, B in APUSH). I have practically removed myself from my old circle of friends while leading a much healthier lifestyle.</p>
<p>I played football freshman and sophomore year, no EC's this year (Spent the summer abroad in Europe with my cousin, missed summer practice), I'll have my first job over the summer, and I plan on playing football again next year. I guess I should also mention my HS is in the top 50 in the country, though still a public school, and is very rigorous. </p>
<p>I recently took the SAT and the ACT for the first time. I got an 1850 (620 RD/ 610 Math. 620 Writing) on the SAT and 31 on the ACT (33 eng / 28 Math / 30 RD / 34 Sci). However, I wasn't able to take my ADD medication for the SAT (Had a job interview immediately after, my meds were why my previous interview went South) and my math scores, which is normally my forte, were also really low (probably because I didn't study for either test at all) so I'm contemplating retaking it. </p>
<p>Anyways I know this is a lot of information at once, but I am completely lost in how I'll fair when it comes to college admissions or even colleges to apply to. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated! Also should I retake either the ACT or SAT, or stick my scores?</p>
<p>what state are you from?</p>
<p>I’m from Virginia, dual citizen though so Canadian colleges (Ontario) are an option too for instate tuition</p>
<p>bro, props on trying to get away from the drugs. i know that you’re probably passiionate about football, but i know that most of the schools’s drinkers and smokers play football. so idk if that may be a good choice, because ull be with them all the time. of course, if you’re confident that u can stay away from it all, u’ll be fine playing it. i think u can get into schools like UCSB, UCD, UCR. the only thing that could limit you froom those schools is your expulsion record. idk about that</p>
<p>If you are interested in engineering I say you got a shot at Virginia Tech or NCSU. And maybe some other lower ranked colleges.</p>
<p>Gonna be tough with the drug record, many schools will see that and toss the application immediately. The ACT is good but not enough to cover up the MAJOR flaw in your transcript.</p>
<p>That is very true… But it’s good that you got out of that habit!</p>
<p>I agree my disciplinary record will be the biggest limiting factor, but I also think I have a shot at proving that when I’m surrounded by peers focused on their education I am much more determined and focused on studies. Examples being my grades shooting to straight As after I was expelled, dipping to Cs when I was placed back with my older “friends”, and then recovering to As as I hung around smarter kids. </p>
<p>I was contemplating using this experience as an essay topic for applications, and was wondering if my reasoning would earn me special consideration, or at least having colleges hesitate before trashing my application haha Is this a good idea, or should I avoid mentioning the infraction as much as possible?</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard from admissions directors, the personal essay is the key place to explain oddities in your academic record. You have a good story to tell (drugs, move, grades, football, travel). Use the personal essay to tell it. This may overcome any negatives.</p>
<p>FWIW, Swarthmore said they read the essay FIRST before looking at grades and scores. I would ask the colleges you are looking at, how they handle applications and essays.</p>
<p>I’m not saying youre screwed. What schools are you interested in?</p>
<p>I know I’m not screwed, I’m just realizing I had the potential to go to top tier schools had I been more responsible during high school. Not too late though, I’m planning on going to graduate school at UVA, Georgetown or possibly an Ivy League. </p>
<p>The schools I would like to attend are:</p>
<p>University of Toronoto
University of British Colombia
Virginia polytechnic institute and state university
York University
Christopher Newport
All US Military Academies, preferably the more reputable ones</p>
<p>I’m definitely open to other colleges, but the search has just begun. BTW can I get a chance on the schools I mentioned?</p>
<p>US service schools are going to reject you because of your drug record. Man, is this file one of a splitter!</p>
<p>U Toronto: Low match (U Toronto puts more weight to junior year than freshman and sophomore years)
UBC: Low match/Match (I hope you land that job, or else!)
VA Tech: Match
York: Low match
CNU: Low match/Match</p>
<p>Thanks for the response! low match means I have a good chance of being accepted right? Should I apply to more “reach” colleges, and if so, what would an example be?</p>
<p>Don’t know much about canadian schools.</p>
<p>I have some reccomendations:
- Penn State University Park
- University of Maryland
- Rutgers</p>
<p>Interested Major?</p>
<p>All would be high matches for you if you can write a stellar essay explaining youre situation and how you rebounded from it. The ACT score is amazing, GPA is decent, you’ll be fine just go somewhere that makes you feel comfortable. I’m glad you stopped doing what you were doing! Keep on working and good luck!</p>
<p>If you are from Northern Virginia, there is no way you are getting into VT or CNU with those grades. You could go to VCU. They have engineering. Mary Washington might take you- they like high test scores, need men and will overlook a poor gpa -but they do not have engineering. I know a student who went to NOVA, cleaned-up his (drug) act and transferred to VT. But question -do you really want to go to Va schools? The state of Va is quite unforgiving of these offenses. You have options in Canada. If you get into UBC, I’d go there.</p>
<p>I’ve looked at Rutgers and Penn state, but the problem with these schools is the out-of-state tuition/total cost runs from 20,000-40,000+ and I’m not sure I could afford it. I almost certainly would not qualify financial aid either.</p>
<p>Interested Major? Haha good question. I’ve thought about being a doctor, lawyer, programmer, politician, pilot, pursuing a military career, sales Rep; my ADD keeps me interested in everything, a blessing and a curse. I figure I’ll find my passion while in college, hence the interest in grad school where I can further my education in my desired field.</p>
<p>Gotta say the support on this site is better than expected haha, I seriously appreciate it guys</p>
<p>^^ I was actually considering going to NOVA and then moving up from there, but if I did I don’t think I’d settle for VT. Honestly, I’m not too interested in VA schools but I have a pre-paid plan to any school in the state, so I want to make the most of it. Canada is where I’m likely to end up though which I’m okay with. I visited UBC a few weeks ago and they made it seem like I had a good shot, so that’s staying on the list for sure</p>
<p>The only reason why you may not want U Toronto is because it is really hard-grading…</p>
<p>Another option would be to go to one of the military academies so that when you are done serving they can sponsor (pay in full) your graduate education at the school of your choice (of course only schools that accept you). I think that route or Canada are your best options, but dont take it from me! Whatever you decide is completely up to you</p>