Saturday, April 07, 2007
Grades Getting Better; How Can I Get Into College?
Dear Guidance Guy,
I really messed up my freshman and sophomore years in school and don't know what to do. As a junior I had a major turn around. I am getting better grades in all my classes and have now made honor roll every quarter. I am in my last quarter and this is when all the juniors start thinking about what colleges they want to go to and what careers they want to pursue.
I am in the medical academy and want to pursue something in the medical field. However I am feeling discouraged because of my past failures as a Freshman and sophmore. I dont know were to go or what to do. I am up on my credits so that isn't a factor. I just don't have the credentials to go to a four year college or a university. I dont know what to do. I want to be something big like a plastic surgeon or a obstetrician. Any advice is helpful and would be greatly appreciated.
Breanna
*** *** ***
Dear Breanna,
A long time ago I had a student who was in worse shape that you are. She actually dropped out of high school, not because she wasn't smart, but because she wasn't ready to be a good student. Too many other things going on in her life. She went back and got an equivalency diploma. Then she enrolled in a two year college where her grades her excellent. Then she transferred to a four year college where her grades continued to be great. Then she went to law school. Today, my former drop out is an attorney!
What you did in the past isn't nearly as important as what you're doing now. Don't worry about those grades, since they aren't anything in your control. The worst thing that can happen is you start out at a school that lets everyone in, or is easy for most people to get into. Like my former student, if you get strong grades there, doors can open up for transferring to a four year college. There are no doors that have closed for you. .
However, a few important things. If you do want to start at a four year college, I'm sure they'd be very interested in your story of how you did poorly, then had a great turn around. Some of them might be willing to take a chance on you. You will have to keep up the good work...NO LET UP! For someone like you, scores on the SAT or ACT exams will be important. Visit the website of whichever test you will take and get information on preparing for the test.
Pick up a copy of The Guidance Guy's So, You Wanna Go To College... You'll find great information about things you can do to make yourself a better candidate for the four year schools, even at this point in your college years. If your desire is strong enough, I bet you will make something good happen.
Best of Luck,
The Guidance Guy
I really messed up my freshman and sophomore years in school and don't know what to do. As a junior I had a major turn around. I am getting better grades in all my classes and have now made honor roll every quarter. I am in my last quarter and this is when all the juniors start thinking about what colleges they want to go to and what careers they want to pursue.
I am in the medical academy and want to pursue something in the medical field. However I am feeling discouraged because of my past failures as a Freshman and sophmore. I dont know were to go or what to do. I am up on my credits so that isn't a factor. I just don't have the credentials to go to a four year college or a university. I dont know what to do. I want to be something big like a plastic surgeon or a obstetrician. Any advice is helpful and would be greatly appreciated.
Breanna
*** *** ***
Dear Breanna,
A long time ago I had a student who was in worse shape that you are. She actually dropped out of high school, not because she wasn't smart, but because she wasn't ready to be a good student. Too many other things going on in her life. She went back and got an equivalency diploma. Then she enrolled in a two year college where her grades her excellent. Then she transferred to a four year college where her grades continued to be great. Then she went to law school. Today, my former drop out is an attorney!
What you did in the past isn't nearly as important as what you're doing now. Don't worry about those grades, since they aren't anything in your control. The worst thing that can happen is you start out at a school that lets everyone in, or is easy for most people to get into. Like my former student, if you get strong grades there, doors can open up for transferring to a four year college. There are no doors that have closed for you. .
However, a few important things. If you do want to start at a four year college, I'm sure they'd be very interested in your story of how you did poorly, then had a great turn around. Some of them might be willing to take a chance on you. You will have to keep up the good work...NO LET UP! For someone like you, scores on the SAT or ACT exams will be important. Visit the website of whichever test you will take and get information on preparing for the test.
Pick up a copy of The Guidance Guy's So, You Wanna Go To College... You'll find great information about things you can do to make yourself a better candidate for the four year schools, even at this point in your college years. If your desire is strong enough, I bet you will make something good happen.
Best of Luck,
The Guidance Guy
# posted by Larry Hochman : 6:55 AM
