Where do I go next? No one around me can help. Can CC help?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>(The ONLY reason why I'm posting here, is because I don't see where else it could fit. This seemed like the most reasonable place, however, it probably doesn't fit here either. This could be because of the reason that I have multiple questions, and don't feel like making half a million different topics and keeping track of them all.)</p>

<p>Okay, so a little background information would help you to understand the questions I will ask later on, as well as why I don't already know the answers myself. Also, because I may qualify for some grants, loans or scholarships that you may know of.</p>

<p>Starting with my parents: </p>

<p>My biological father I've only met when I was seven and on the day of my graduation. I don't talk to him much, but he paid child support, and I don't hold anything against him. My mom has been jobless for as long as I can remember. She did go to college and became a medical assistant, but only worked very briefly when I was still in elementary school. My step-father is disabled. He's been this way since my mom married him. None of them work, nor have they for my entire time in high school. We get food stamps, and are on housing. Despite what may sound like poor living conditions, we live in a two story house and I can honestly say that I've never gone hungry.</p>

<p>As for me: </p>

<p>I am an 18-year-old male born in San Jose, California. But I now reside in Merced County (also in California).</p>

<p>I am both Black (African-American) and White (Caucasian). My grandmother calls this Mulatto, and seeing as how the spell-check doesn't come up while typing that in, I suppose it is a politically correct term. I didn't know that until just now.</p>

<p>In high school, I wasn't a very happy teen. I'm still not, somewhat, but I'm a heck of a lot better. I was actually very, deeply depressed. And this wasn't a typical teenage pubescent stage (I regularly went in to see a doctor about my depression, and I would have been on meds had I not declined). For the sake of my comfort, I'd rather not divulge information so openly about why I was depressed, but I felt the need to describe this part so that you may grasp part of what I went through, and to understand this next bit.</p>

<p>Since I was so depressed, I didn't get very good grades. All of my teachers were "disappointed" in me because...well....I think this quote from my English teacher sums it up...</p>

<p>"He's a brilliant kid, and really, I believe even that to be an understatement. He does great on his tests when he wants to. But overall he just doesn't apply himself."</p>

<p>And no...I didn't talk in class either. I just sat there and stared at the wall and/or bit my fingernails/cuticles until class ended. It was like this, six periods a day, for a whole four years. But, I managed to do "just enough to get by" and actually graduate. </p>

<p>So, now it's almost the end of the year, and I've been job hunting. That hasn't been working out, so instead of wasting time, I need to go back to school. This is where you, the community at CC, get to try and help this poor, old soul (That's comic relief, unless you were already laughing at me ;).</p>

<p>What school should I go to? (more background info)</p>

<p>For so long, my mind was set on just PASSING high school. Now I've done it. Yay. But I have not taken an SAT or an ACT (and it wouldn't be a stretch to say that I know EXACTLY what they are either). I also don't know what college I want to go to (but have a few ideas). As far as I what I WANT to study goes, I'm interested in the following:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Music: Had it not been for music, I wouldn't have made it through high school. I've been playing the piano for almost seven years now. I've been playing the guitar since my 17th birthday, and I've been mixing and recording on computers since I was 15. I read sheet music. With that said, I know music rather well. I was thinking about going to the Musician's Institute (MI) in Hollywood to major in either Audio Engineering, Music Business, Guitar Craft, Independent Artist, or Music Video Film & TV (Audio Engineering being my first choice).</p></li>
<li><p>Writing, English, & Literature: I've been writing my own poetry, lyrics, short-stories, analysis essays since I was 14. I always thought that teaching high school English would be a great job. I plan on publishing my own works someday. I have no clue what school I would go to for this, but I do know that this ties together well with my next interest (film anyway).</p></li>
<li><p>Film and Photography: I like photography, although I don't have much experience. But I LOVE film. I would like to write and direct my own movie someday. I took drama class in high school, and it's one of the few classes that I received a grade higher than a "C" in. I have experience making my own short films, although I never finished them because of the whole depression thing. Plus my family was always over here, the over there. So I really never had any time. I haven't looked into very many schools for this.</p></li>
<li><p>Video Games: At one point in time, this would have been my first choice, but I matured a little more in the artsy direction (Not that I don't consider VG's to be art). But the years that I spent studying the video game industry, how games are built, and the history of gaming, have really left an mark on me. So I really know a lot about computers and video games. I have experience in non-malicious hacking (and malicious, but I never did anything illegal. Okay, some illegal, but not morally wrong. EX: I've never hacked an email or anything like that). The only school I ever looked at for this area is The University for Advancing Technology (UAT) in Tempe, Arizona.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>To clarify what I'm asking, in case it isn't quite clear. I mainly need info on:</p>

<p>*My next move should be?</p>

<p>*Possible schools for me? Are the ones I looked into out of my league?
Note: I am willing to move out of state, but not WAaaaaay out of state.</p>

<p>*Financial aid, and grants etc. (How duz work? doi?)? </p>

<p>*What about my grades? Am I totally stuck because of them?</p>

<p>That's basically it....</p>

<p>If you've actually read this far, you have my thanks, and my sincerest apologies for making your eyes bleed, but I really do need help. No one around me has been able to successfully answer any of my questions about college. Any ideas, comments, thoughts, questions etc. will help. I'm at a total standstill right now, but I don't want to stay that way. Thanks again.</p>

2

<p>You might want to post this in the Parent Forum for some good suggestions. Best of luck.</p>

3

<p>I’m a parent, and I agree you should move this to the Parent Forum. You will get lots and lots (maybe too many) suggestions.</p>

<p>My personal suggestion would be that you should go to community college and work on two things:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Get the absolute best grades you possibly can. That’s your ticket to the future. Once you get the AA degree, you will have many more choices – a 4-year college, a job, a trade school. </p></li>
<li><p>Take a variety of courses, and see if any of the subjects, or if any of the types of study, appeal to you. This will help you identify other areas you might wish to pursue.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>If you’re 18 years old, you’re not expected to target a specific career plan. But you are expected to keep an open mind and apply yourself.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

4

<p>Thank you, I will surely do that.</p>

5

<p>Heck, if I were you, I’d go straight for photography. They make good money, and it is a very reputable and stable field.</p>

6

<p>I agree with VeryHappy. Community College is a great place to demonstrate the you have what it takes to be a good student-it’s ground zero for second chances. Go meet with someone on the admissions staff and talk with them about your background and your goals. Bring your transcript from high school. You will probably need to work and study concurrently. </p>

<p>Many community colleges have deals with the public university allowing you to transfer after a year or two if your grades are up to par.</p>

7

<p>Here is a link describing the guaranteed transfer program from community college to the UC system <a href=“Understanding UC transfer | UC Admissions”>Understanding UC transfer | UC Admissions;
As you can see, many UC colleges guarantee such transfers as long as you meet certain requirements.</p>

<p>As I see it, your biggest challenge will be to find the money to go to community college. I would strongly suggest that you find a community college near your home or that you can get transportation to and then go in to speak to the guidance and financial aid counselors. There are work/study programs that you might well qualify for as well as loans or even grants.</p>

8

<p>Hi EnDZYm3~
It sounds like you have taken a good look at your strengths, and weakness-which shows maturity on your part. Pat yourself on the back for this hard work.
Based on what you have shared, your interests, and weak academics suggest a couple of different tacks you may wish to consider. As you know, a community college, will provide the opportunity to study the core subjects at a price that could make it affordable. Then after you have those required courses completed, transferring to a UC or another 4 year college-USC or ?, will allow you to earn a bachelors of arts degree This will be both helpful in business/job search, but also help you find out more of who you are as a person.
The other option is a more specific interest/music in this case, at MI. I am not familiar with their program, and their site suggests more of a trade school venue than a true bachelor of arts degree-but I could be mistaken. Their price tag may be higher than the CC/UC route.
Both options have merit. You already know when one door closes-you look for another door. Hang in there-and GO FOR IT!
APOL</p>

9

<p>Do you live close enough to Merced to commute? Your nearest community college might be Merced College. I agree with the other posters who recommend that you take courses at a CC for the next couple of years, and really apply yourself. College is a chance for a new beginning. Best of luck to you.</p>

<p>[Merced</a> College Home Page](<a href=“http://www.mccd.edu/]Merced”>http://www.mccd.edu/)</p>