HS dropout due to trauma, but I have good college GPA, GED score, SAT- how to transfer?

Transfer Students
1

I have a couple questions about how I could transfer to a better college after dropping out of HS due to trauma. Some background info:

I dropped out of high school in February of 2017, in what was my junior year of high school. I had a GPA of 2.8 in HS, went to 5 different schools, and I only completed a few classes. I was sexually assaulted when I was 14 and I suffered from severe PTSD and depression for a couple years, but I’m doing a lot better now. I immediately started going to my local college after dropping out, Bellevue College (it does offer 4-year degrees, so it’s not a community college). I currently have a 4.0 and I’m in my second quarter here, with 15 credits so far.

I just completed my GED and my average score was 176.5, which is equivalent to being in the top 6.5% of high school seniors. I also took the SAT last November and got a score of 1350. I didn’t study for either of these tests, and I’m very confident that I could study and retake them and score at least 1450 on the SAT and an average score of 180 or so on the GED (equivalent to top 4% of HS seniors).

I’d like to major in computer science. I know C# and the basics of some other object-oriented languages. I eventually want to be a project manager after getting experience working as a developer. I’m about to start an internship at a company that’s going to give me some more experience with Agile PM. I also worked full-time as a property manager for a few months after dropping out. So I have a couple of cool things to put on applications.

Is there a way for me to find out exactly which credits will transfer to schools I want to apply to?

Also, as far as applying to other schools, if my credits won’t transfer and I have to apply as a freshman, should I just say I was homeschooled and use my GED and SAT scores to apply or will they know I went to HS?

Since my assault is the reason I messed up so bad in HS, and I’m doing great academically now, is it a good thing to mention in college applications to explain why I dropped out? Or is it better to just not explain why I did so badly in HS?

Is there anything else I should do to improve my chances of getting into competitive schools? Retake SAT, GED, other tests?

I know this is a long post, but I really appreciate any responses that people could provide. I’ve worked really hard to get past the assault, and I hope I can get to a good college after trying so hard to fix things. Thanks for reading!

2

Check whether your transfer targets use high school stuff. Some do not.

3

Plenty of people have awful high school experiences for any number of reasons, drop out, pull themselves together, then nail the GED and start pulling down good grades in college. You have no need to explain anything about high school. If your transcripts are required, send them. Your GED score and your grades at Bellevue will speak for themselves.

At this point there is no need to retake the GED unless you are applying to places that will give you college credit for a higher score. As for re-taking the SAT, that is a question to ask the places on your list. Given that you have some college credits crom Bellevue, some places will not accept a new SAT score.

4

Actually, I don’t think you really have to worry about your test scores. Your scores were respectable the first time around, and you’ve proven that you can do well in college. Assuming you’re not aiming for the Ivies, I don’t think you’ll have an issue getting into a respectable college. What colleges are you aiming for?

5

University of Washington, Seattle U, Digipen, and I’m open to other schools on the coast (WA, OR, CA).

6

Just want to say I’m sorry you went through that trauma, and I’m so impressed with your strength and wish you all the best in the future!!!