<p>As a Sophomore approaching the end of the year, I have afforded myself some time to reflect on the first half of my High School Career. I am willing to do anything to go to Cornell- apply early decision, whatever- but something is particularly worrisome to me. </p>
<p>I was dismissed from a military school in January. </p>
<p>I was dismissed for nothing really serious, but rather repetitive behavior. I didn’t want to be at the school at all, and I showed my distaste for the ethics surrounding the ‘leadership’ there on a daily basis. There were fights every day and many of the kids did drugs. Overall, I did not feel very comfortable and I hated the curriculum. The classes were far too easy (not to be arrogant), even the honors classes. I DO accept full responsibility for my behaviors (just generally being disrespectful; none of my offenses were ‘honor code related’). </p>
<p>Here is my resume for core classes (tenth grade classes are the ones I took at public school following my dismissal):</p>
<p>9th
Honors English 9th: A+
Honors World History: A
Honors Math I: B+
Honors Biology: A+
Spanish II: A</p>
<p>10th
Honors English 10th: A+
Honors Pre-calculus: A+
AP Human Geography: A
Honors Chemistry: A+
Honors Spanish IV: A</p>
<p>I took the SAT and got a 2150, and plan on getting 2300+ </p>
<p>What’s more, I’m entering the IB Program next year (for those of you who may not know, it’s essentially taking all AP’s). </p>
<p>I am volunteering at a zoo all summer to educate kids aged 5 or younger on environmental awareness and animals (for a total of 200+ hours over the summer). </p>
<p>I’m in the National Spanish Honor Society as a Sophomore</p>
<p>Could all of this make up for a dismissal? Everyone else is telling me it can’t and that I should just go to community college and it’s really discouraging…</p>
<p>If you continue to get excellent grades and not get into any more trouble, you should be fine. Adcoms like turn around stories. I know of one particular poster (parent) whose son was kicked out of few prep schools, but did turn around junior and senior year. He was admitted to UPenn. Good luck.</p>
<p>someone from my school who got expelled for drug abuse got into a great school (UBC) with mediocre grades for a competitive course. Its all about the essays and how you portray yourself and explain what you have learnt and shown personal growth. Im sure it wont be a great hinderance, but at the same time, do not be disheartened if you get rejected. These schools have very very particular requirements and their acceptance rates are ridiculously low.</p>
<p>My brother, who currently attends Lehigh, said that there was no way, and that my best chance would be to “attend community college or a less regarded university and transfer after two years”. A lot of people have said the same thing, especially those in response to online posts. But that’s really not what I want to do.</p>
<p>With your grades and scores, there are many excellent 4-year colleges that will give you a chance.</p>
<p>Having said this – obviously, the dismissal from the Mil. Acadamy is a negative on your record. This can be overcome at many schools, at some it probably can’t. So, what you really have to do is apply, write killer essays and see what happens.</p>
<p>My best advice – You need to make an appointment with your HS Guidance Counselor, and a College Counselor if your HS has one. Basically, you are going to need expertise in helping you choose what schools to apply to (and whether there are any to avoid). Though I rarely recommend third party Advisors (the kind you pay for), if services are not available through your high school and if your family can afford it, it may be helpful in your case.</p>
<p>My second best advice – don’t base your decisions on non-professionals who do not know the admissions processes at different schools. This includes those of us who give advice on CC – let me change that – This specifically means those of us who give advice on CC. There’s lots of bad advice floating around here.</p>
<p>When you answer “yes” to the common app. question pertaining to discipline, there is an opportunity to explain the circumstances, this may help your cause.</p>
<p>I would suggest that you use your essay to show how the problems/issues at the military academy have influenced your development and how it will shape your future. It sounds as if there were things about that environment that were antithetical to your personal code. Develop those in the essay and demonstrate what you learned from that experience. Strangely, during the 60’s and 70’s your experience would have been viewed in a different light. (Remember the Straight Hall takeover, which was far, far more serious, allegedly springing from an ethical difference with the University and those participants are now worshipped by the Administration as recent articles in Cornell publications attest). In any event, your grades are great, your test scores are competitive and do not give up! Not everyone is cut out for the regimentation of the military.</p>
<p>From here, what would you say is important for me to improve upon (besides not ending sentences in prepositions)? If possible, just a little list.
i.e.,</p>
<p>Many schools do not require essays and will solely admit you based on the str of your gpa and scores (of which you’ve done well). You’ll be fine as long as you don’t veer off again. Good luck </p>