<p>I’m new to this forum so my apologies if this thread is posted in the incorrect place. I’ve already began debating on what colleges I should try to apply to and which one’s I shouldn’t even waste my breath with. I’ve set my mind on UCLA’s HSSEAS for a MS in Computer Sciences. However, my current academic performance makes me question on whether or not it is even a viable option to consider.</p>
<p>To give you a little bit of my background: I am currently a Sophomore at Eastern High School in Louisville, KY. We have a specialized magnet program for IT which offers industry certifications such as CompTIA A+, Net+, and Security+. In addition to that, I am also certified in IC3 and a Microsoft Specialist. I’m currently expected to be maxed out in terms of courses in that department, and I have begun taking Programming I this semester and Programming II over the summer. I am a member of our local FBLA chapter and leader of our award winning STLP (Student Techology Leadership Program) team at Eastern. We made it to the state finals for the past nine years. I also volunteer some of my time to Norton Healthcare, which is our local hospital system. </p>
<p>However, I have flopped in the grades department. I am aware that UC’s omit Freshman grades; however, I have performed horribly due to losing my father late last year. The only class I’ve aced is my A+ certification class, followed by 1 B, 2 C’s and 3 D’s. These are at the honors level and I plan to change that this semester to be promoted our next course level (Advenced/AP). I feel sincerely embarrassed by my grades. My school used to allow the make-up of borderline failing grades, however, you are now required to fail the class before options are available. If I receive a 4.0 every semester up until graduation, I will be looking at a 3.82 UC GPA. Is UCLA out of the question given my background?</p>
<p>You sound extremely bright, and your reason for your poor grades is compelling. You will be able to address your father’s death in your essay, as will your guidance counselor. </p>
<p>With improved grades and a high SAT/ACT score, I would say you are definitely still in the running for UCLA. I will add the usual caveat that you need backup plans because admission is so competitive. </p>
<p>There are many schools that will be delighted to admit you. Good luck and keep up the hard work. </p>
<p>And, echoing calla1, a high SAT/ACT score is imperative. You have a decent amount of time to really study hard for those, so use that time to your advantage. Check out the study advice available right here on CC in the SAT/ACT prep forum. My daughter increased her SAT score by 150 points using those tips! </p>
<p>Thank you both! I am certain that I will do well on my ACT/SAT Exams. I am attempting to get in to AP English Language and Comp next year since English is one of my strengths.</p>
<p>However, I have one other concern: My Honors Chemistry teacher isn’t very effective. He rambles on and on about life stories and we are having extreme difficulty in understanding him. I have brought up the concern with my guidance counselor and she told me that there is nothing that can me done. About 85% of us have low or failing grades in his class whereas with other teachers this is not the case because. Is there any way I can explain a grade like that to a college? </p>
<p>I’m sorry for this situation with your Chemistry teacher. Colleges don’t like the “I had a bad teacher” excuse very well. Are there alternatives? Does this teacher have office hours and can you become his new best friend by showing up all the time? Can you study with a friend in another class and ask that friend to explain the concepts to you?</p>
<p>Yes, that is certainly possible. Our campus has strict AM security so morning meetings rarely occur. After school, many of our teachers have the “it’s time to get out of here” mentality. I will certainly take what you said into account, calla1.</p>
<p>Additionally, I know many will say that GPA isn’t everything. Like I said, I’m really fretting about the D’s I received last semester and through my Freshman year (GPA not calculated). My school said I’m basically out of luck any time I bring it up. I really don’t want this to hinder my chances of getting into UCLA/Berkely. I really hope I can be a match for them instead of a far reach.</p>
<p>Again, I really appreciate your help calla1!</p>
<p>OP, I think I missed that you got Ds last semester. I am so sorry. What were the Ds in? This will make a difference for a UC, though there are ways to make up for a D. The ways to make it up depends on what class you got the D in. Looking at this link may help you figure out how to satisfy the A - G requirements for UCs. Remember, all A - G classes must be passed with a C or better. If you look under each subject, you will see alternate ways to meet the requirements if you get a D or F. </p>
<p>Chemistry, Civics, and English. Would I count Freshman Year D’s as well? However, it appears as though it can be ratified with a high ACT+ Writing score. It’s sad that my school doesn’t give my any options to make up for the D’s for UC’s other than to SAT Subject test out of them. I suppose my chance of being admitted as a freshman is exhausted now.</p>
<p>What were your math, english and science scores like, in general, in middle school (7th and 8th)? And your PSATs?</p>
<p>My kid lost all four grandparents during the sophomore year interval of high school, and although the emotional effects didn’t show in terms of an emotional break, it brought an A student into a B- range in a half semester, including a crash in biology and trigonometry, and it sort of took all the wind out of the sails. Then the SAT score tanked because of, probably, depression. We found a couple of college-level tutors who re-energized things, and the SAT scores ended in the 2200’s (+350 pts) and the grades wound up in the A- range in AP level courses by senior year.</p>
<p>As a sophomore, you still have a lot of time to make things the way you want. I recommend “getting” a ton of review books and SAT books (through Amazon preview on Kindle), and then have someone in your family with college experience sort out the better ones to use, that fit your learning style, and so forth. </p>
<p>You can still get around a digressive HS teacher by using the right mixture of review books - many of the AP subject review books are pretty good. My older daughter got around an incompetent physics teacher by self-teaching herself AP physics using online resources and review books - she wound up with a 4 on the AP test, and 94 on the finals, and everyone else - very good students, unfortunately, who “went with the flow” - got 2’s and 1’s. It was a really stressful time because she was simultaneously in the process of applying to colleges.</p>
<p>Be prepared to have no free time, and no summer, but your reward will be solid grades, the brass ring, and an awareness you can take control of your own situation, when high school comes to that abrupt end.</p>
<p>Thank you! My grades were stellar during 7th and 8th. It was the before freshman year that everything occurred then I moved cross country to Kentucky that same year. Would I be able to attend a CC and go to HS at the same time to make up for my failures? I really don’t like our CC’s in the area so I want to try and make up the grades by senior year. Also, if some of my tech courses bear 6 credit hours nationally, would that help me? I’m open to anything. Perhaps admission by exception? </p>
<p>I don’t think the tech courses will help you but yes, going to a CC and earning good grades there in courses in which you got a D will compensate for the poor grades. Basically, you want to:</p>
<p>1) make sure the A-G requirements are met with a C grade or better (which may mean going an alternate route such as SAT subject test, AP exams, or college courses)
2) make sure your SAT or ACT score is VERY GOOD
3) show an upward trend with your grades
4) write an essay about how you overcame the loss of your father, to explain the poor grades.</p>
<p>Make sure to self-study the chemistry and humbly ask your teacher for advice. </p>
<p>You can do this. It will take hard work, but you can do it. </p>
<p>I can do CC and HS concurrently then and ensure that I name up fo my failures. Hopefully I can still get in as a freshman! Thank you all for the advice.</p>
<p>Thank you. I will ask around now to see if I can be admitted into a CC at 16. If I did that would I have to apply as a junior or freshman? I really want to get in as soon as I graduate.</p>
<p>You would ask to be dual-enrolled: your high school typically pays for it and your CC classes count toward graduation (sometimes toward GPA, depends on the HS). Attending any class after graduation bars you from applying to UCLA as a freshman and you have to wait till sophomore year to have your chance again. However if you do it during high school and do well, it’s regarded quite favorably since it means you’ve been able to keep up with a college-level pace and hold your own among college students (even if your local CC is not demanding intellectually.)</p>
<p>Note: how much can your parents afford? Because UCLA is $50,000 a year and the only financial aid you’ll get as an OOS student is the $5,500 federal loans to which you’re entitled.</p>
<p>We can afford it, however I asked guidance today and not even dual enrollment is available. It is everywhere else but not here. I ponder why we are in the top 500 public high schools. I guess my options are exhausted at this point.</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear it. But it’s good that you have time now to expand your search. You will definitely get into some good school, and you can apply to UCLA for the master’s. Alternatively, look at this link under the section for transferring to UCLA as an OOS student. It can still be done. </p>
<p>You have to take the precise class over (an AP for an AP you got a D in for example). You can do it online, with an approved UC online course, as well. Last I saw, they were recredentialling all the online courses so I don’t know who has been approved for the moment but National University’s virtual high school and BYU online at one time were approved. Your counselor should be able to tell you who is approved once they finish the process. (Or you can find it online)</p>