Question (sorry, related thread #6 on the topic)

[kdm31091]

This is my 6th or 5th thread on this topic. I'm doing some research and I cannot ignore it anymore. As much as I felt that just a "specialized" college or community college would be enough, it probably won't be in the long run. Most of the jobs I like -- aside from chef or barber, which btw, still very viable choices! -- just simply require degrees.

Going to a 4 year college in Florida would have several pros. I'd be getting a degree obviously, to give me an edge. I'd not have to worry about housing costs. The bachelor's is way better then an associate's as far as I read. It would open my options so if I hate Florida, the degree would allow me to get a high-enough-paying-job in other states, so I could relocate. A degree truly DOES open doors.

I do have concerns. My GPA is barely squeaking above 2.0 and I doubt any college will find that attractive. I'm enrolled in one club but that's the extent of after-school stuff. I do have a job, not sure if it helps.

So my plan to help get me into a college would probably be:
*Do a few extracurrics next year
*Goal GPA of about 2.7-3.0 or better!
*More well rounded courses, like Marketing, etc, would make me look better right?

And a math question. My school has "Basic" Algebra 2, which would be next year for me. There's also regular. I feel I would achieve a higher grade, therefore better GPA, in Basic, but then I worry that colleges will scoff at a Basic Algebra student, I'm sure it doesn't look good. So what's more important - the overall GPA, or the actual (math) class I took to help the GPA?

I really worry that college will be insanely hard. But now I'm staring to realize - the material is the material. They can't make it any more difficult. They can make it more laborious, they can make you do more work, but they can't make the actual subject of grammar for example any harder.

Considering I'm awful at math, I'm guessing a major with more english-y courses would be good, right? Elementary Education looks like a winner, but how about hospitality management? Not much pure math courses on the list but could be "hidden" math?

Well, your thoughts? Also, which university is easier to get into (I say this because of my relatively unattractive high school resume this far): University of Central Florida or University of Florida? Which one is less strict about the GPA while you're there, etc? Sorry but I need the "easier" college of the two, or recommend more in Florida. All thoughts welcome - can't wait!

 

[kdm31091]

Anyone?

 

[famofsix]

I think it would be good to sit down with a guidance counselor who can help you sort out your interests.
if your GPA is 2.0 I would reconsider elementary education.
If like to speak in front of others I suggest a communications degree or some type of media degree. If you are a "people person", you may like social work or psychology. Be aware you would need a statistical background in those types of jobs but you may be great at stats...who knows?
There are business degree such as human resources and business/communications degrees too.
I would suggest going to a community college and taking core subjects and not declaring a major right going into college until you see what truly interests you. This way you can work up your GPA and transfer to a four year college that meets your interests.
Good luck, your future is bright...you don't have to decide right now what you want to be...give it some time. You might find that taking courses part-time will help you if you feel overwhelmed.

 

[MariDisney]

I agree with the previous poster. I have been following your threads for awhile, but I don't believe I've posted. I think it's great that you're thinking about your future and trying to get some ideas together.

I'm sure your school has a guidance department. The folks there are experts at many of the things you're wondering about. I do think that colleges look more favorable upon more difficult courses So, if you can do it, I'd take the meatiest courseload you can manage. Get involved in a few other extra curriculars. See if there's something you just love when you start doing it. That may give you a clue as to which field you want to head towards. Be open to the idea that what you're drawn to as a teenager may not be your true calling. Going to a good liberal arts college is often a good idea if you're not sure. You can spend a year or two trying different things. It's hard to make a decision at 15. I know I couldn't have!!

Also, be open to the idea that once you start requesting info from colleges you may find out that Florida isn't on the top of your list. You may be looking through some of their catalogs and find that you're really interested in a metropolitan area like New York. Or maybe the idea of a small suburban school will be attractive once you start thinking about it.

Try not to feel like you have to make a decision today. You don't! You're at a great point in life when you can try lots of things, work hard in school and turn things around, and get involved and find out what you love. I'm sure many people my age (37, if you must know) can't even remember what they thought they were going to do with their lives when they were your age. As you get older you find out that what you thought/planned/hoped for really can change significantly.

Good luck!

 

[azgal81]

Have you ever heard of this site www.princetonreview.com you have to sign up with an email and password but all the information is on the site. If you plug in your school it will pop up admissions info, sat scores, academic requirements, gpa. Looks like the average high school gpa for university of florida is 3.9 and university of central florida is 3.75.

You are applying to a university out of state which also means your admission requirements will be stricter. You need to raise your gpa alot well over 3.0 probably to 3.5 to have a shot or you need to do awesome on your sat/act whatever to make up for lack of gpa. You might want to take a few courses in a local community college to raise your gpa if applying to a four year college is what you want.

 

[mickeyfan2]

The school district has guidance counselor for a reason. Please go to see yours and ask him/her all of these question.

 

[golfgal]

The school district has guidance counselor for a reason. Please go to see yours and ask him/her all of these question.

I agree. They also have some career interests tests you can take where you fill out some questions about things you like to do and they can give you some ideas of various careers you might be interested in. I do know that a 2.0 isn't going to get you into college and that you need to get that up to at least a 3.0 to get into any quality school (not ivy league, just something with a good reputation).

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Another option to consider is going to a 2 yr community college and getting an AA and THEN go to a 4 yr college for your last 2 years for your BS/BA. I know many people who followed this path and had great success. Good luck!

 

[kdm31091]

Another option to consider is going to a 2 yr community college and getting an AA and THEN go to a 4 yr college for your last 2 years for your BS/BA. I know many people who followed this path and had great success. Good luck!

That's a great option since I like Valencia Community College too and that way I could go there, get the AA and then go to UCF or whatever. The challenge will be getting my GPA to 3.5 - wow - not gonna be easy. I don't think I've ever had a 3.5, and if it's so hard to get it in high school I can't imagine the struggle I'll have in college

Conversly I COULD do one of the A.S/AAS degrees at a comm. college, which is not transferred but instead "directly to workforce". But I just pretty much know that associate's degrees don't mean much anymore, so it would be wasteful to JUST get that, right?

 

[kdm31091]

And I know I'm making everyone mad with the constant questions, but since I have several career ideas, which do you think are the "safest" as in a steadiest income, or such? Medical Secretary, Hairstylist, Pastry Chef, WDW CM (with an AS degree in hospitality, not sure if that helps, but it would help with advancement), Massage Therapist? I want something safe that doesn't "take over my life" (16-hour-days not particularly appealing, lol)

 

[phillybeth]

So my plan to help get me into a college would probably be:
*Do a few extracurrics next year
*Goal GPA of about 2.7-3.0 or better!
*More well rounded courses, like Marketing, etc, would make me look better right?

Add:

*Less DISing

to that list.


Honestly, if you put as much effort into your schoolwork as you have in posting here, you'd have over a 3.5. Shut off the computer and open a book!

 

[kdm31091]

Well that's not entirely true. I do all my homework - and I mean all of it. Studying I do during my free period. So really, there's no way I can work any harder.

Starting this week, I'm staying after school from 2:15-3:30 every day for geometry help. I mean, that's a big chunk of time, but if I do better in geometry, my GPA will become a 2.7 automatically or so.

 

[diznygirl]

Colleges accept all kinds of students. Sure they have basic requirements, but if you can show them that you are an eager student, that would help a lot. If they offer a face-to-face interview with an admissions counselor, jump at the chance and make an impression.

If you go to Vallencia for a few years, that has the benefit of allowing you time to bring up your GPA from high school.

And definitely seek out a guidance counselor at your school. I had a great one that encouraged me to apply for colleges I thought were out of my price range. I didn't know about the financial aid packages I could be offered.

 

[barkley]

one thing to check into is not so much what the minimum gpa a college requires, as is what is the current situation with the average gpa of accepted applicants is. by this i mean-a college can have an established minimum gpa for getting in, but if they have an overwhelming number of qualified applicants each year they may only be accepting much higher gpa's. we've got that situation with some of the public colleges/universities in california-they may only require a 3.0 for admission, but with the demand the only ones getting in are those with 4.0's-and lots of other extracurriculars and such to set THEM apart from the other 4.0's.

i think talking to your guidance counselor is the best bet-and maybe do some research on the marketability of some of the things you're interested in. just the other day our local paper picked up a story from the associated press on how culinary programs have exploded in popularity accross the united states-and how even the top grad's are finding that the jobs that ARE available don't pay near what they expected. a couple of examples they gave were of people who went to realy well respected (and not overpriced) schools, did realy successful internships at top restaurants-but then found that they could'nt find the jobs that payed even enough to cover their student loans, so while they could find some employment with potential to 'prove themselves' and long term work into better paying jobs-they had to leave the industry to make ends meet.

if you're interested in barbering or the 'cosmetology' career tract you might check with local community colleges or cosmetology schools NOW to see if they offer any kind of program in co-operation with your highschool. we have some programs where a highschool student can take the core classes during the summer between junior and senior year-and then do the 'work study' part afternoons, evenings and weekends during senior year. i've known some folks who did this type of a program not because they wanted to go into it forever, but they figured they could graduate highschool with an immediatly marketable skill-and earn while they were deciding what they realy wanted to go into (one girl had already been accepted into a 4 year but chose to do this program and specialize in nails-she had found out what the prevailing rate for manicures, tips and such were in the college town she going to and realized even with booth rental at the local salons she could make as much working 15 hours a week as her peers would in a minimum pay job 40 hours).

 

[Hannathy]

Two things come to mind reading this: 1 if you have a 2.0 then YOU AREN'T putting in enough time with your studies! One free period to study isn't enough for heavens sake. My DD has a 4.0 and she studies at least 5-6 hrs a day except for most Monday's when she has dance and then it is at least 4-5hrs. Hit the books if you don't know how to study which a lot of kids don't, then ask your teachers or the Guidance Dept ( who are there getting the bucks to help kids).

Second is a 4 yr degree isn't for everyone nor attainable by everyone. You need to find your strengths possibly a trade would be a better match and no disgrace I have a friend who makes more than I do in his trade without a 4 yr degree.

You need to look at what you do best and go from there. Get some advise form your school, you aren't prepared to make the decisions on your own to the questions you are asking. The poster who said just 'cause a school is listed as taking a 3.0 doesn't mean they will if they have enough applicants at 3.7. Right now it is the norm at Ivy leagues to have at least 5 AP courses to get in but I'm sure that isn't listed on their site.

Good Luck it is great that you have decided to buckle down and are looking forward at what you need to do, that is great! So get off the computer and go read all your current assignments, then outline them all, and then tomorrow read ahead a chapter in every subject so you are prepared for Monday.

 

[wilderness01]

Ok, I agree with the other posters. Honestly I have read your posts, whether I have replied or not, but you seem to be putting the cart before the horse. Finish your studies in high school strong and then let the rest come. It is good to plan ahead, but with a 2.0 gpa you need to put more effort into today and now. Study for the courses you have now and maybe with more effort it will lead you to what you are going to do when you are older, as far as what to study in college, what degree to go for, etc. Many young kids simply to not know what they "want to be when they grow up." There is nothing wrong with that. You seem to be spinning your wheels and putting so much effort into "what you might go into or what you might want to be" and you are asking the same questions over and over again, whether you realize it or not. I am not being mean, but enjoy your last years of high school and worry about the rest when the time comes. I also agree that your high school guidance counselor is a great place to start. Good luck to you.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

How were you planning on financing college out of state?
Here is University of Central Florida at basically 29,000..out of state tuition....
Look through this site, it will give you alot of info.

http://apps.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=636&profileId=2

Did you take the practice PSAT in Oct?
If not sign up for a SAT test now...or do alot of practice. Prepare yourself for the test in October!

See your guidance counselor, hire tutors, drop study halls & take classes and start studying after school.
Why do you even have "study hall"? My 15yodd can barely fit everything in and she takes 8 classes a year.

Since you say you study....have you considered getting tested for a learning disability? Why is your GPA that low? You will need to get at least a 3.5 to go to an out of state school.

You did not mention a foreign language? What language are you taking?

As far as that Math Class you are considering...you need to take all hard classes and study and hire tutors to pass it well and learn it.

Look over the collegeboard site and go see your guidance counselor for help.

 

[kdm31091]

How were you planning on financing college out of state?
Here is University of Central Florida at basically 29,000..out of state tuition....
Look through this site, it will give you alot of info.

http://apps.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=636&profileId=2

Did you take the practice PSAT in Oct?
If not sign up for a SAT test now...or do alot of practice. Prepare yourself for the test in October!

See your guidance counselor, hire tutors, drop study halls & take classes and start studying after school.
Why do you even have "study hall"? My 15yodd can barely fit everything in and she takes 8 classes a year.

Since you say you study....have you considered getting tested for a learning disability? Why is your GPA that low? You will need to get at least a 3.5 to go to an out of state school.

You did not mention a foreign language? What language are you taking?

As far as that Math Class you are considering...you need to take all hard classes and study and hire tutors to pass it well and learn it.

Look over the collegeboard site and go see your guidance counselor for help.

I have a study hall this semester because next semester during that slot is Driver's Ed.

I'm in Spanish 2, and getting A's, so no problem there.

So, I shouldn't do Basic Algebra 2, I should go regular Algebra 2 and bust my butt all year instead? I'm sorry, but I've really had it with "risks" in math. Every year that I haven't done basic, I have gotten D's or F's. My 8th grade math was "basic" algebra and I got B's.

I don't think I need a tutor. I just need to buckle down, and spend a few hours a day after school, just STUDYING.

As for financing, mom says I have a college fund and any college I want to go to, it's covered. I'm assuming there's a nice chunk of change in there.

Did the PSATs. There is no registering at my school. We are basically forced to do them. No worries with that.

Now, I know my study hall will be gone next semester anyway but why should I have to drop it? It helps me. Without that study hall, I might have a 1.5, who knows.

The thing is, I don't really need to raise THAT many grades. Science, spanish, history, and animal science - 4 out of 6 classes - I have B's or A's. English I have a D and Math I have an F, so I'm gonna work on those for now.

 

[kdm31091]

And by the way - the guidance counselor - I'm so nervous about seeing her, because this embarasses me. I know I'm smart enough to have a 3.5 or even 4.0 . I'm so frustrated! I can try and try and try and even with all that effort, I'll have a 2.2-2.7 or something.

Also, I probably will delay Driver's Ed until next year because I'm trying to raise grades, it might be a good idea to forget about driving for now, since that will just be something else to worry about.

Perhaps I should just follow what I obviously like to do - hairstyling. This is so embarassing, but i have my mom buy me cheap dollarstore Barbies and I practice haircutting on them. Well, at least it's some form of practice. But I never get bored playing or styling their hair, and hairstylists don't earn a huge base pay, but in a resort, spa area like Orlando, the tips could be HUGE.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If you are getting anything below a C you need a tutor.
The point of the tutor is not only to help you with your grade but to actually TEACH you the material so you can go to the next level and it will help you down the road.

Getting help in school is a key part of learning how to navigate the system.

My dd is also 15 and we hired a tutor for Geometry. The thing is she is on "block scheduling" and it is accelerated. She is done with Geometry for the year....YEA!
It was rough but the tutor really helped her through it.

So stop beating yourself up and get some extra help. At least try it...OK?