<p>Thanks for the suggestions! Some of the schools that are part of the AIUT, like Carnegie Mellon, NYU-poly, RPI and Olin, sound like they would work out for me as far as living arrangements and Yellow ribbon program participation go. </p>
<p>However, I’m starting to feel like maybe going to community college for the first two years will be more beneficial for me. I’m hoping that the smaller class sizes at CC will mean that it will be easier for me to ask any questions I might have. I feel going to a 4-year university right off the bat will end up with me in a trial-by-fire situation, which I don’t feel prepared to.</p>
<p>Another reason, however petty it may seem, is that I would like to experience some nice weather for a change. I’ve been stationed here in England for the last 3 years, and although there are some really nice schools in the NE, like the ones I mentioned above, I don’t think the weather there won’t be much different. Going to California for CC would not only allow me to prepare better, but it would also improve my chances to get into Berkeley’s EECS program (my current goal), while not entirely barring me from applying to any of those other really nice schools in the future in addition to the UC schools. All the while enjoying the nice California weather, to boot!</p>
<p>My biggest concern really is my weakness in Math: Finally got my SAT results today: 1930. 700 reading, 560 math and 670 writing.</p>
<p>I have really mixed feelings about them. I have a lot on going on in my life right now. I only had a month or so to prepare for it. And I have been out of high school for over 7 years. So, all things considered, it’s not a bad score. On the other hand, I think I could have done a lot better. I really should have put forth more effort into studying, specially in math. Maybe I’ll give it another shot later this year after a few months at community college…</p>
<p>I’m still going to apply to my dream schools, in case of a miracle, but it looks like it’s going to be CC for me. At least for the time being.</p>