StackCorruption

I will be starting my senior year in high school and currently devising an education plan for the future. The major issue at the moment is my high school GPA, which is roughly 3.0 (weighted value). The score is not low because of a lack of aptitude, but rather an absence of desire to complete school assignments that I have deemed to be a waste of time. I always score exceptionally high on my finals and on state exams. A perfect example would be my grade in Chemistry. I had one of the lowest grades in the class, but received a grade in the 90's on the final exam, and also scored the highest in my class on a state issued general assessment exam (I may also include that my class consisted of students ranking in the top 10 of their grade.). My entire altitude towards education has changed dramatically since then and I now crave redemption. Through this period of neglect for the education system, I have pursued my own interests in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and various other topics pertaining to technology. I was wondering if it would be possible to somehow show a university that I possess the aptitude required to achieve success through this acquired knowledge. I was thinking that I could possibly create a physical product to submit to the university. For example, I once designed a very basic computer from scratch using logic gates and boolean algebra. In theory, it was capable to doing basic mathematical operations on 8 bit decimal values. This product would express my knowledge of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Boolean Algebra. This product will not be based off of any existing projects that I have found. It will be constructed solely based on my knowledge of the listed subjects above. I do not have my eyes set on any specific university yet because quite frankly, I don't know where to set my expectations. Before summing this block of text up, I will add that I haven't taken the SAT yet. I plan on taking it this year. And if you haven't figured out already, I want to pursue a career in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering.
Thanks.

josh1873

We're on a similar train; however, objectively you're chances, at a top university or a decent university giving you a lot of merit money, are low. Nonetheless, you have intrinsic intelligence that can get you farther in life than those student in the top 10 who work hard, but do not have stuff come easy to them...

Also how are you a senoir that has not taken the sAt yet?

aunt bea

You show a university that you possess the aptitude by taking tests like the SAT and the ACT. Grades do matter. Showing your neglect for the educational system indicates that you want to do what YOU want to do. Your project is called an "extra curricular" that could be done through a robotics club-with other students helping. The universities don't need more "packages" coming through to their admissions offices.

The universities want to see a person who is "well rounded" and if you can't comply with your system of education, why would they want to include you in their university classes that will just be another "waste of time" for you? You will be required to take courses outside of your major, and if you can't or won't do that, you wont graduate. With your GPA, you wont get merit aid, how will you pay for your university coursework?

My husband hires electrical engineers for his company and the first question he asks is: "Where is your college transcript and what is your GPA?" Grades matter

amarkov

Go to a community college and transfer to a 4 year program after. It's cheaper, easier, and if your work habits truly have improved it will get you into a better school.

mom2collegekids

Although there are schools that will accept you, paying for college will be an issue unless your parents will pay for all costs.

What is your budget?

if your parents won't pay much or anything, then you need to start at either a local CC or state school.

The schools that give the best FA won't admit you and your GPA will keep you from getting large merit scholarships.

Grades do matter.

Sikorsky

Not only that, grades should matter.

The way you get through college, as Aunt Bea said above, is by completing the assignments and projects you're given to do, whether you deem them "a waste of time" or not. You have not shown that you have the self-discipline to do that.

And after that, the way you succeed in the workplace is to complete the assignments and projects you're given to do, whether you deem them a "waste of time" of not.

Now, you do seem capable of teaching yourself the knowledge and skills that you think you need. If you are an autodidact with an entrepreneurial bent, maybe you don't need college.

But I think your problem with college admissions will not be showing them what you know, but showing them that you have the temperament you'd need to succeed there.

T26E4

If I may piggyback Sikorsky: indeed you might be one of those who will succeed w/o the parameters of college. But I'll guarantee you that you'll hire bookeepers and lawyers and want to be treated by nurses and have your kids' schools staffed by people who definitely knew how to play by the rules.