Lakemom

I agree with you Poppin.

I think if I knew which of the engineering schools I would be transferring to and decided to take the cc route, then during the 2 years I was at the cc, I would do some research to determine which professors at the school I wanted to go to are likely involved in the areas of my interest.

Then I would contact those professors and make appts to meet with them. Explain that due to finances you are taking the cc route (don't explain needing more math etc, everyone understand money drives tuition college decisions.)

Tell the professors that you are interested in research in their area and wondered if there would be any opportunities maybe during the summer where you could help them with research.

Interest and initiative go a long way.

PoppinBottlesMGT

(Heh, I am planning to do exactly that, personally, but figure it's a longshot.)

Lakemom

Not necessarily. This way also you get your face known by the professor so when you do transfer, he has already met you and knew you tried to get involved early on. Might come in handy when he is choosing Jrs to help out.

blair961

I would definitely go to a top school if I could get in next year. But I can't right now. I might get a chance if
1) I can somehow ace my Fall SATs and ACTs.
2) I can make colleges think that I was challenged in my science/math classes.
3) Colleges can look at my A's in regular math and science (yes, I do have A's in math and science, but the problem still holds with the no advanced/honors) and somehow feel that's already good enough which we all know is not.

With all the variables against me, these aren't going to happen.

KamelAkbar

community college + hard work

mamaduck

The 25% SAT score for RIT Engineering is 1750 (RIT Undergraduate Admissions - High School Students), so you're only a hair off. Also, schools may take into account the limitations of your high school while evaluating your application. That said, don't count on merit aid. Have a back-up plan (community college), but certainly go ahead and apply at your other schools. The worst that can happen is "no" ... but that's not forever.
Remember that most CC kids are overachievers. I'm a parent of a 3.4 student, and follow the B student threads. Most parents report that their B students get accepted to many good, solid colleges, and the whole situation is less stressful than with their A children trying to get into "lottery" schools. I think I've read several threads regarding successful engineering students who did not take super advanced classes in high school. Best of luck to you.

mamaduck

Just a quick search and I found this thread ...Low Math/Science Scores. Can I still be successful?

Looks like his scores were similar to yours. He didn't get into Perdue, but did get accepted to other engineering schools. He chose Minnesota in the end.

ilovemydog2

Suny buffalo is cheap and you have the grades for it. stop complaining before you even try to apply. High school means nothing once you get into college maybe take the sat or acts one more time if you have time I get a better scholarship. If you work hard in college don't get stressed out now

noimagination

Dude, you need an attitude adjustment. Your situation is not bad at all. The only way "it's too late" is because you've adopted a defeatist position.

Apply to four-year schools. Also look into community colleges. Many, many successful engineers start out at CC.

Orbit196

There are no excuses buddy. Work hard and it will all turn out ok.
I suggest: Khan Academy, MIT Opencourseware, etc. I challenge you to watch every single video in the Khan Academy Calculus playlist if you want to learn Calculus.

radioactivemint

You're being way too hard on yourself. Spend a year or two at a community college and take the math and science courses (and the cheaper general education credits!) you need. Work hard and transfer. That's it, no need to get upset when you haven't even tried it yet. Have a little faith in your abilities. If it doesn't work out, there are many different options out there (you don't have to do a humanities major, you can simply do a trade school option or even simply try working your way up directly in the work force). Just remain positive and you'll find what works best for you.

gstein

I'm not going to sugarcoat it: If you've "given up" on engineering as a junior in high school, then perhaps engineering is not for you. There have been many individuals in similar or worse circumstances, and have gone on to be successful engineers. You will face much greater challenges in college (and beyond) with engineering than you are facing now, and without hard work, determination and some confidence, you won't last. Best of luck.

Nanotech

COMMUNITY COLLEGE!!!! I cannot stress this enough. I did my first 2 years there and am now transferring to Drexel U. I was in a similar situation because I was homeschooled, didn't have grades at ALL, and couldnt afford to take my science classes at a community college during high school. Oh and of course no AP classes. I am SO glad I started at a CC. I applied to 5 schools to transfer to for engineering, only ONE of which was a safety, and was accepted into ALL OF THEM!! At CC I was able to do all my weed-out courses in very small classes where the professors actually cared about the individual students (my friends and I actually went to see Avengers with my Differential Equations prof - lol). The best part was having all my engineering classes with the same people this last year, and we got really close with study groups as a result. it was VERY supportive when any of us started getting overwhelmed, and no one dropped out. think about it!!!!!! best decision ever!!!!

Kirby64

You are way too much of a downer. Do you truly love engineering? Can you imagine that being your dream career? If so, then screw all your pessimistic musings. Just DO IT. Go to whatever school is closest and cheapest for you. Take out loans. Hell, go into the army and then pay through the VA. Do whatever you can to get the degree. Sitting around and crying will only delay you and make you feel worse. Talk to a college adviser at your school or at the prospective college you want to go to. Just whatever you do, DON'T GIVE UP.

YoungVeggies

Hey, I never took Calc till I got into college, and I am an engineering junior with a GPA over 3.5.
Bro, it does not matter if you took 1 million AP/Honors Calc, or physics classes before going into college. Although this has to do with admission. Your best bet is to join a communicty college and get your foot on the ground, then transfer to a 4-Yr uni.

I know "work hard" nowadays is a word too overused. But, not many people actualy do it. If you want something so bad like getting an A in all your eng classes, you can. I was pretty close. I was plain dumb in high school, another reason why I left without graduating and went straight into a community college. They only asked me to take placement tests, which I did, and started out taking college algebra, and I have gotten A's in all my required eng. math courses, now I take 500 level math courses as electives. I really does not matter, as long as when you get into college, you restrain you social activites, and most of my friends fall into the pitfall of too much gaming..