Terrible GPA, what do I do?

College Search & Lists
1

Hi guys. Here’s my story.

So, I’m currently a senior in high school. I go to a vocational high school, and I’m enrolled in Computer Programming and Web Development. Basically, my GPA is utterly embarrassing; a 2.3 currently. The reason for this is really simple: I just never did homework. I spent my high school career getting by off acing my tests and doing classwork. Much more often than not, I didn’t bother doing the homework. I could say the reason for that was I was always to engrossed in my own programming projects, or that the homework was always busy work and wasn’t challenging, but at this point it really doesn’t matter .

Right now the only thing I have going for me is the following:

  • A fantastic letter of recommendation from my programming teacher.
  • An essay describing how I became interested in computer science that my English teacher called 'the most-well written and profound essay of any student I have ever had.'
  • Several programming/IT awards, including 2nd in state and 8th in country.
  • A score of 34 on the ACT.

Originally, I had my heart set on attending UMass Amherst, but I see now that my chance of acceptance there is slim-to-none.

I’m lost. I know that I messed up in high school, but what do I do now? I could attend community college for 2 years and transfer, but I would really like to avoid that course of action. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for reading.

2

Much will depend on how much your parents will pay. If they’ll pay whatever costs, there likely is a school that will accept you.

How much will they pay?

3

My parents aren’t rich. Most of the money would come from scholarships and student loans. I have the John and Abigail Adams scholarship already for scoring in the top 25% on my Sophomore MCAS.

4

I would suggest applying to one of the other branches of UMass (e.g., Boston) and then transferring to UMass Amherst.

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/GPA-SAT-ACT-Graphs/ss/University-of-Massachusetts-Boston-GPA-SAT-and-ACT-Data.htm

This has low GPA/High ACT students admitted.

I might include in your essay how now you realize that homework is important too…colleges don’t want smart kids that don’t want to do the work.

Also, DO THE HOMEWORK NOW and get at least B’s in everything this semester so you can show that you are capable of doing well.

5

That J&A Abigail scholarship hardly covers anything. It doesn’t touch the high “fees” that UMass schools charge.

You can only borrow $5500, so that won’t cover much of your college costs. Your GPA will prevent you from getting other scholarships

Unless your parents will pay, or you can commute to a local UMass and somehow cover the fees, you will likely have to start at a CC.

6

<<<
The [Adams} scholarship covers tuition only; fees and room and board are not included.
<<

A 3.0 GPA is needed to keep that scholarship.

As you can see, it only covers tuition, which is almost nothing at UMass schools. Fees are well over $10k. Room and Board and books are another $10-15k. You’d have to come up with about $20k after borrowing $5500 as a frosh.

I don’t see how a school other than a CC would be affordable.

7

Setting money aside, what are my chances of even getting accepted into a UMass school?

8

For UMass-B your GPA is less than bottom 7%

For UMass-D your GPA is less than bottom 5%

UMass-A is out of the question. 3.0 is minimum

where else would interest you?

9

All I want is a place where I can receive a good education in Computer Science. If that means transfering, I’m willing to do that.

10

There are lots and lots and lots of schools that will accept you.

Where are you geographically, and where would you like to be?

Have you asked your guidance counselor for recommendations as to where to apply?

11

I am in Massachusetts. I am open to going pretty much anywhere in the relative north eastern part of the country, though if I were to stay in Massachusetts it would be easier on me financially obviously.

12

Have you checked the State schools-- Framingham, Salem State, Worcester, and so on? We toured Framingham, and it was lovely (though admittedly small.) Likewise MCLA. Also, take a look at:

PA: Cabrini, Keystone, Neumann
CT: Southern CT, Albertus Magnus
MA: Nichols,