Is university too late for me?

Applying to College
1

<p>So basically I didn’t try hard enough in school, did have a 3.0 end of freshmen year, but shiit kept happening and now I’m at a 2.2 GPA. I also scored very badly in the SAT. My class rank is above 50%, but only because I go to a bad school. </p>

<p>I’m about to become a senior in September. If I were to get straight A’s, try my hardest, and scored over 1000 math/reading on the SAT, would I get into a decent university? Schools I’m looking into are arizona state, boise state, mizzou, and a few others that are similar. I never experienced a school with great passion for sports and a lot of school spirit. So these things are pretty important to me. What else can I do to increase my chances? I live in new jersey and going out of state. I was thinking of writing an essay mentioning how my mom having cancer affected my performance in school. Would that help or hurt me?</p>

2

<p>Doing well in your senior year is important, but it will probably not have a huge impact. Bringing up your SAT scores is always helpful.</p>

<p>Looking at the common data sets for each of the colleges you’ve listed:</p>

<p>[Arizona</a> State](<a href=“http://uoia.asu.edu/files/common/Common_Data_Set_2008-2009.pdf]Arizona”>http://uoia.asu.edu/files/common/Common_Data_Set_2008-2009.pdf)
[Mizzou[/url</a>]</p>

<p>And I couldn’t find a common data set for Boise, but there’s some admission info [url=<a href=“http://www.college-admission-essay.com/boisestateadmission.html]here[/url]:”>http://www.college-admission-essay.com/boisestateadmission.html]here](<a href=“http://ir.missouri.edu/data-set/CDS%200809.pdf]Mizzou[/url”>http://ir.missouri.edu/data-set/CDS%200809.pdf):</a></p>

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</p>

<p>You should notice that—for Arizona State for example—that not many students with GPAs under 2.5 are accepted; only 3.5% of students with a GPA between 2-2.5 were accepted. Nonetheless, if you are able to bring up your test scores and show academic improvement (through your grades, teacher recommendations, etc), you may still stand a chance at admission. If not, try looking at other schools (and looking up their admission statistics) to find a place where you would be in range.</p>

<p>A personal essay about your mom facing cancer is a good emotional topic, but be sure to take your time if you choose to write about it, as you could end up sounding very clich</p>

3

<p>So what else should I do to increase my chances of getting into any of these schools?</p>

4

<p>Well you may have to go to a CC but don’t despair. People transfer from CC’s to top 20 universities so they can be a really nice launching pad if you turn yourself around and pull your act together. I believe there’s a thread about CC success stories on here, somewhere…</p>

5

<p>Well I don’t want to completely give up just yet. For now I’m just going to try to get into one of these schools anyway.</p>

6

<p>I think there’s not much you could do, other than try and increase your SAT. You should just go to CC.</p>

7

<p>Perhaps get involved in some ECs and volunteering! Those are always helpful on an application :)</p>

8

<p>Getting involved does indeed seem a good idea, but seeing that you are going to be a senior this year, it’s going to be really odd if your college applications state all these activities that you JUST got yourself involved in. You know what I’m saying?</p>

<p>But don’t lose hope, whatever you do. Pray for the best, and even if you don’t get into those colleges, take an alternate route - a different college or a CC. There are always ways to make dreams come true, and it’s never too late to go to college, ever!</p>

9

<p>So then will the SAT make or break my chances of getting into these schools? What can you guys tell me about the ACT? I was planning on taking it. Is it harder or easier then the SAT?</p>

<p>And it would seem a bit odd that I’m just now getting involved. How could I possibly explain this? </p>

<p>The schools I’m going to apply too are:
Arizona State
Boise State
University of West Virginia
Texas Tech
Ole Miss(maybe)
Mizzou</p>

<p>I don’t really have a “safely” school yet. But I figured if I don’t get into any of these schools there is no point. Since I’ll try transfering out as fast as possible anyway. </p>

<p>Btw what can you guys tell me about late admission?</p>

10

<p>The one thing you can do to neutralize the shortcomings in your record is to get an outstanding standardized test result. Get a practice book today and start working on it. You have a month before school starts so work on test preparation every day for 30 days.</p>

11

<p>I know Mizzou has a form of “trial” admission for students who struggled in HS. I think you’re admitted and you have to get C’s or above in your classes in order to get off the trial basis.</p>

12

<p>That’s if you live in Missouri</p>

13

<p>I don’t think so. They said it was open to everyone at a recent admissions session.</p>

14

<p>Well how recent was that? Because I checked their website and it says if you are graduating from a missouri high school. If it’s open to everyone then I’m in luck.</p>

15

<p>The schools on your list don’t care much about ECs, so focus on improving your test scores and raising your GPA. Maybe your letters of recommendation can discuss your grade improvements, that you’ve matured and are now a more serious student, etc.</p>

16

<p>That is a good idea bro thanks</p>

<p>I’ll get one of my teachers from last year to write me a letter. When I start doing well in one of my other classes in Sept, I’ll get another teacher to write me another letter as well.</p>

17

<p>Anymore advice?</p>