<p>If you don’t want to read this whole thing, you can just skim it and answer the question at the bottom.</p>
<p>This will probably be a rather long post, but who knows what’ll happen by the end? </p>
<p>My name is Adam. I’m seventeen years old.</p>
<p>First off, I never gave college much serious thought up until a week ago. I knew I was going to go. How could I not? It’s the fashionable thing to do nowadays, isn’t it? I knew I was going to go to college, but I didn’t know what for. I had no idea what I would do for a career. </p>
<p>A couple of years ago, I became convinced that I would be a writer–a novelist, more specifically. I still plan to be, but one can’t get a career as a novelist until they’ve built up their reputation, which can take decades. I loathe non-fiction writing, so becoming a journalist was out of the question. So, while I knew I would take Writing and English courses, I was back at square one as to what I would actually do with my life.</p>
<p>Then I stumbled (or, rather, re-stumbled) upon an interest of mine that I had always loved, something obscure and yet something I was still extremely passionate about: Physics. Ever since I can remember, back before I was in Kindergarten, I have always loved nature. I’ve always been a “man of science,” if the term can apply. I loved bugs and animals and watching those now-deceased specials on the Discovery Channel. But then my interest shifted about seven years ago, when I was about ten or eleven. Rather than biology, I became enthralled by physics.</p>
<p>At first, it was a simple “Wow!” effect at the complication of all of that math and big thinking that went along with it. There was no serious consideration put into it on my part, I simply couldn’t comprehend it. But as I grew, specifically over the passed several years, I began to understand it for what it was and sought to learn what it had to offer. </p>
<p>As of now, there is nothing more interesting to me than the physics and the study of the natural world. I love playing video games, piano, reading and writing just as any other teenager. My real intrigue lies in physics, though. </p>
<p>I’m a senior in high school, and I still have none of my graduation requirements fulfilled. Those are only a matter of doing them, however, and are of little concern at this point. My big issue is my GPA.</p>
<p>Accumulated over the passed three years, I have an average GPA of roughly 2.45, a rather abysmal score for one shooting for the stars–no pun intended. It is not because I don’t possess the intelligence capable of achieving 4.0+. It is merely because of my laziness, lack of a work ethic, and over all displeasure with the educational system. I love mathematics, the backbone of physics, which, ironically enough, have been my weakest subjects, once again, not due to my inability to learn, but rather my unwillingness. </p>
<p>I am at a crossroads. I have a semblance of a career path whirling about my mind. Theoretical physics is one of the most interesting subjects I have ever even attempted to know, and I want to get an education for it. I plan on first going to BCC, a local community college, for two years. I obviously cannot get into a four-year technical college with my grades. A liberal arts college, maybe, but not the ones I’m looking for. </p>
<p>I plan to make waves in community college. I plan on brushing up on my maths and sciences, as well as taking writing courses for personal enjoyment. I know I have the ability to be a mathematician if I so choose, so I’m not nervous about that. My performance is based on my will, and I believe I truly have the will to do it. </p>
<p>After community college, I plan on going to the next level. I plan, as of now, to go for a doctorate in theoretical physics after I get my bachelor’s and master’s and such (a long-term goal, I know). I know this whole process will take me anywhere from 8-12 years, but I think I can stick with it.</p>
<p>My colleges of choice for my 8-year tenure are either MIT or KITP.</p>
<p>My question for you, anyone who cares to answer, is do I have a chance to get into these prestigious institutes if I improve drastically in college? Financial issues aside.</p>
<p>Getting good grades has been hammered into my skull practically since birth, but I have not done this. My grades are Cs at best. My high school career is somewhat botched as of now. I will try my hardest to get as many As as possible this year, and perhaps use it as an example of my own personal growth as both a student and an individual. The way I view it: I messed up, but I’m going to try to redeem myself.</p>
<p><em>whew</em> That was longer than I expected. I only hope my dreams are not those of pipes.</p>