Hi everyone~ as the titles states, I’m scared I won’t get into a good college. My SAT score was complete trash and I’ve been studying all summer for my next SAT which is October and November. My story is that I was an international student so my grades aren’t like everyone else’s. I’m American but I moved away and went to private schools which was a disadvantage because of the completely different curriculum. In 9th grade I was put in an Australian school and I did well ( Australian grading I was mainly an A student). 10th grade rolled around and I did horrible I was mainly a B-C student ( I’d also like to point out this was pre IB diploma). When I was suppose to start my IB course we moved back to America. My junior year was tough. My grades at the start was an 89.9 quarter 1 and 2 and then quarter 3 was a 91 and quarter 4 was a 94. But I wasn’t in all the AP classes I wanted to be in because of the different curriculum. Under a lot of pressure I forced myself to completely change my way of learning and thinking. I took my SAT and I was very very low and I’m not being dramatic it was actually very low. I’m terrified I won’t get accepted to a good college. I have no community service hours because of my whole international problem. I want to get accepted into St.Johns university in Queens. My top picks are Stony Brook and St.Johns. I want to study to become a pharmacist. I dont think I’ll get accepted and it makes me lose sleep or I just end up crying a lot. Can anyone shed some light on my situation or am I doomed not to go to a good college . Also if you have good pharmacy schools please also let me know. Thank you!
I’m an international student applying this year as well, and from what people told me, I think grades don’t mean that much if you’re not applying to crazily selective schools. What I would suggest is you use your unique background to write an amazing essay and maybe explain why some of your grades aren’t so good.
Applying to college can be really stressful, but you should try to relax a little and try not to freak yourself out. This is what I’ve learned from the past few months.
Hope this somehow calms you down a bit and good luck on your college apps!!
I haven’t talked to a lot of admissions people, but those I have talked to say grades are very important. Grades are the best predictor of performance in college. Tests like the SAT and ACT are actually poor predictors of future performance (maybe why some colleges are test optional).
OP: The SAT is a long test. Many students aren’t ready for sitting for such a long test and do poorly on the first try. Now that you’ve tried once, your second time around should be much better. Take a practice test or two trying to simulate the actual test as much as possible. Then for the next time, just approach it as calmly as possible. You also may want to look into test optional schools. But the best thing to do is concentrate on getting good grades this coming year.
Worst case scenario, go to a community college or cheap college to transfer credits. Once you’re finish for a year or two then transfer to the college of your choice. If anything, you may change the college you would like to attend two year later, and that may actually bring more beneficial opportunities than what Stony Brook and St.Johns would have provided.
Also, regardless of your school choice, look for internship programs during your undergraduate years.