College questions

[spazo]

Sorta long post so please take the time out to read...

Well, I'm 17 so I have one year of high school left but I think I've just screwed myself over by doing nothing in these past 3 years...I've maintened a 3.1 gpa thats unweighed. The scale goes something like this:
A:4
B:3
C:2
D:1
F:0

Anyways, all the colleges that I want to go to all seem to have averages at aroun 3.6-3.8. Is my low gpa gonna stop me from getting into there? I've a 1190 SAT score but I know that can go up(I've taken many older practice ones and gotten no lower than 1370, hell even my PSAT was 1290 and that was back in 9th grade..). I'm also in the International Baccalaureate progem which is suppose to make me look better but I'm begining to have my doubts...Does anybodyhere even know what that is?

One more question, how do colleges accept people and what do they look at most-gpa, standardized tests, or resume or any other thing that I'm not aware of?

 

[mugs]

What schools do you want to get into?

 

[spazo]

New York University is one of the main ones I'm interested in...

Basically ones that have good business prgrams

 

[psydancerqt]

an alternative is to go to a community college for a year to obtain a great GPA and then transfer if you dont get accepted to NYU

 

[JoPh]

nyu is hard to get into.. youll need high sats for there.

3.1gpa is mediore. for harder schools they may want higher.

good luck with NYU though.

 

[spazo]

I knew it...I'm screwed...

so anyone know if the International Baccalaureate diploma is worth anything? I coulda taken regular classes and gotten straight A's without even being there...

 

[badmouse]

All is not lost. At least you don't have HORRIBLE grades.

Schools see tons of people with high grades. What they're REALLy looking for are interesting people, people with unusual accomplishments. What've you done that you can turn into an outstanding app? A friend of my son's was accepted into a bunch of places solely because he was a top scorer in the international YuGiOh pro tournament circuit - or one of those games, DragonballZ? whatever. I guess they got really tired of reading all those other applications that looked the same.

NYU likes things like patents. It's easy to get a patent. Think about it. (one of my degrees is from NYU).

Edit: Connections. Start right now and ask everybody you know if they went to NYU or if they know somebody who did. Talk to as many people as you can. Get advice. Try to meet the highest administrative people that you can. Thank everybody like crazy and tell them how wonderful they are. This skill will be useful later on in the business world. Good luck.

 

[DaWhim]

we do not have IB program in new york(at least in the city, 90% of the people never heard of them). all Advanced Placement.

well, nyu is a big party school. it is like boston uni, I used to think it is a good school until a friend who lives in MA told me it is a BIG party school.

there are people got accepted in harvard and rejected in nyu. the whole college process is impulsive. your best strategy is to apply a whole lot of them. maybe boston U and boston college are on your list?

 

[theNEOone]

yah, i know what IB is. i went through the program and got my IB diploma back in 2000. it definitely gives you some credibility (kinda like AP scholars). i'm a bit of an anomaly, but here are my "credentials" coming out of highschool. i was accepted into cornell.

GPA:
3.2: unweighted
5.6: weighted

SAT:
1210

SATII
680 Math2
720 Biology

as you can see, i wasn't a very impressive candidate. my saving grace was the interest i showed in the school, as well as a sh!tload of extracurricular activites. i played 2 sports, was president of a club, member of a couple of others, and i did a few hundred hours of community service.


=|

 

[spazo]

Originally posted by: theNEOone
yah, i know what IB is. i went through the program and got my IB diploma back in 2000. it definitely gives you some credibility (kinda like AP scholars). i'm a bit of an anomaly, but here are my "credentials" coming out of highschool. i was accepted into cornell.

GPA:
3.2: unweighted
5.6: weighted

SAT:
1210

SATII
680 Math2
720 Biology

as you can see, i wasn't a very impressive candidate. my saving grace was the interest i showed in the school, as well as a sh!tload of extracurricular activites. i played 2 sports, was president of a club, member of a couple of others, and i did a few hundred hours of community service.


=|

Well I guess all is not lost.
Anways I also have at least 200 hours of community service...its an ub requirement. I can't play any sports due to a body deformity which lead to surgery which means I can no longer do jack ****...I'm part of 2 clubs and am part of about 3 others...


So which cornell did you get into? The one in New York?

 

[theNEOone]

Originally posted by: spazo

Originally posted by: theNEOone
yah, i know what IB is. i went through the program and got my IB diploma back in 2000. it definitely gives you some credibility (kinda like AP scholars). i'm a bit of an anomaly, but here are my "credentials" coming out of highschool. i was accepted into cornell.

GPA:
3.2: unweighted
5.6: weighted

SAT:
1210

SATII
680 Math2
720 Biology

as you can see, i wasn't a very impressive candidate. my saving grace was the interest i showed in the school, as well as a sh!tload of extracurricular activites. i played 2 sports, was president of a club, member of a couple of others, and i did a few hundred hours of community service.


=|

Well I guess all is not lost.
Anways I also have at least 200 hours of community service...its an ub requirement. I can't play any sports due to a body deformity which lead to surgery which means I can no longer do jack ****...I'm part of 2 clubs and am part of about 3 others...


So which cornell did you get into? The one in New York?

whoops, i forgot about cornell college. yah, i went to the ivy cornell university in ithaca, NY. just graduated this may. w00t.


=|

 

[bleeb]

I say give up. 3.1 is too low and your SAT is too low. Just give up.


J/k ...

 

Originally posted by: spazo
So which cornell did you get into? The one in New York?

Is there another one? Just as a comparison, I got into Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, but decided not to attend based on cost alone (I'm an in-state student at UMich Ann Arbor for much cheaper).

Anyway, here are my figures from HS:

3.81 GPA
1370 SAT
35 ACT
Five or six AP classes, my test scores were: 4 (U.S. Hist), 5 (English Language), 3 (U.S. Gov't), 2 (Calc AB)
I was captain of my school's cross country team, and ran varsity track too
I was in NHS but didn't do any activities...I'm surprised I didn't get kicked out :Q
National Merit Commendation

U-M has changed their application to reflect a much higher emphasis on personal statements becuase of the Supreme Court's decision, so the application process has likely changed quite a bit.

 

[Whisper]

As others have said, all is not lost...a 3.1 GPA isn't a strength, but it won't necessarily prevent you from attending college at NYU. Spend a lot of time on your essays/personal statements, play-up your talents and individuality, and apply to at least a handful of different schools.

If you don't end up getting accepted into any of the programs that you really like, then follow the above advice of attending community college for a year or two and then attempting to transfer. A 4.0 GPA wouldn't be much harder to attain there than high school, and it will go a LONG way in helping you get in anywhere.

 

[tallest1]

If you got through IB you have a chance. If you're in florida, that pretty much guarantees you a full scholarship to any of the public universities (unless Jeb Bush screwed up the system) so you might want to look at similar perks for IB grads in your state. I'd do research and start applying to reasonable universities at least b/c IB is a great boost but it probably may not save your ass when applying. (And I agree, IB was pretty much a waste for me too. Burned my braincells and in the end didn't even get an IB diploma)

 

[spazo]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: spazo
So which cornell did you get into? The one in New York?

Is there another one? Just as a comparison, I got into Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, but decided not to attend based on cost alone (I'm an in-state student at UMich Ann Arbor for much cheaper).

Anyway, here are my figures from HS:

3.81 GPA
1370 SAT
35 ACT
Five or six AP classes, my test scores were: 4 (U.S. Hist), 5 (English Language), 3 (U.S. Gov't), 2 (Calc AB)
I was captain of my school's cross country team, and ran varsity track too
I was in NHS but didn't do any activities...I'm surprised I didn't get kicked out :Q
National Merit Commendation

U-M has changed their application to reflect a much higher emphasis on personal statements becuase of the Supreme Court's decision, so the application process has likely changed quite a bit.

3.1gpa
at least 1300sat I know it...
ap calc bc:4
ap chem: 4
ap macroecon: 4
ap euro:3

Those are my scores as of right now and U-M is one of my target schools so I guess maybe I should try and go there...I would love to go to in state schools but Floridian schools suck...

Oh, anyone know if I can retake SATs? I want to get 5s....

 

Originally posted by: spazo
3.1gpa
at least 1300sat I know it...
ap calc bc:4
ap chem: 4
ap macroecon: 4
ap euro:3

Those are my scores as of right now and U-M is one of my target schools so I guess maybe I should try and go there...I would love to go to in state schools but Floridian schools suck...

Oh, anyone know if I can retake SATs? I want to get 5s....

You can't retake APs, but your scores are are really good, so I wouldn't really worry about that. As for getting into UM, I think it's definitely attainable, but you've got to show them you're not slacking off your senior year. Take tough classes, and work your ass off. As it is now, I think you'll probably get waitlisted at U-M but if you wow them with tough classes and good grades your senior year, you'll be just fine, I believe.

Good luck. BTW, the dorms at U-M are pitiful...literally, the worst I've ever seen. Everyone says you should live on campus your freshman year, but I think you'd be wise to get an apartment your first year, even if it is more expensive. Get a meal plan if you have to, but I don't think the dorms are the best choice, financially or otherwise. They're HORRIBLE.

 

[rh71]

Apply to the ones you want, but definitely apply to back-up for-sures at the same time. Don't wait till you get rejection letters and freak.

 

[boomdart]

Go to a private college; they'll let you in with nearly any score as long as you have the money. My college is roughly 20 grand a year (not really that bad) and my friend Kiersten made it in with a ~800 SAT and a 2.x GPA, but she had enough money to go and she wrote a good essay for the college to get in.

 

[theNEOone]

Originally posted by: spazo
3.1gpa
at least 1300sat I know it...
ap calc bc:4
ap chem: 4
ap macroecon: 4
ap euro:3

Those are my scores as of right now and U-M is one of my target schools so I guess maybe I should try and go there...I would love to go to in state schools but Floridian schools suck...

Oh, anyone know if I can retake SATs? I want to get 5s....

you know what, i was fooled by my parents into thinking that the only colleges worth going to are in the top 25. the fact that florida high schools suck helped my parents argument against attending a state school (although i would receive 100% tuition.) i don't really see how sh!tty high schools equal sh!tty universities but hey, my parents were good w/ the b.s.

4 years later, i'm $55,000 in debt and i don't know that i faired any better than my friends that attended UM and UF. and i didn't do poorly at cornell either, i have a 3.1 w/ a major in molecular biology and a minor in economics. i worked part time as a computer lab supervisor and i did three years of research w/ a highly respected professor in the bioengineering department. and do i have a job at a pharmaceutical company or biotech firm?!?! NOOOOOOOOOO. perhaps it's the fact that the market posted 85% fewer new hires than expected (32,000 vs. an expected 215,000). are we dipping further back into a recession!??! either way, i would STRONGLY suggest that you take a good hard look at florida schools, especially if you're thinking about any sort of advanced degree. doing well at an ivy will guarantee you a spot at a top firm or graduate school, but you got a 3.1 in high school. your consideration might go as follows: 3.0 at NYU or 3.5 at UF/UM?? of course, you can never break down the argument this easily. my point is just to consider all your options, and IMO florida schools are a damn good option.


=|

 

[spazo]

I guess I kinda have to lower my expectations considering my gpa...if I could only turn back the hands of time and kick myself for a lazy sob knowing what I do now...

Its hard to argue against the money thing as it is considerably cheaper but then again I also don't want a lousy job that pays 40,000 a year...I want 6 figures...

 

[sniperruff]

apply to NYU. also apply to SUNY buffalo and a couple of CUNY's as backup

if you are lazy, you will get slaughtered in college anyway.

let me guess: your parents are in NYC and you don't want to leave home...?

just do like i said. go for NYU, and apply for all the SUNY's that you can (you'll probably get accepted into all of them... i was accepted into bing, buffalo, albany and stony with a 1250 SAT and a 93 average), and go for 4 CUNY's (i was also accepted into hunter...)

hell i'd recommend junking the thought of NYU. dorming ain't so bad. it might take some getting used to, but i'd say i've had the best year of my life living off campus...

good luck

 

[vshah]

well, Carnegie Mellon's "average gpa" was something around 3.7 for engineering. I had a 3.2, 1580, 8 AP exams with 4 or 5, and one club (president) ...I got in. So gpa definately isn't everything. Just focus on doing really well your senior year. they love to see improving trends. and straight As would bring your gpa up quite a bit. fight the senioritis.

-Vivan

 

[nageov3t]

NYU might be a stretch, but it's possible, and a well-known state school should be within easy reach.

 

[ggnl]

you know what, i was fooled by my parents into thinking that the only colleges worth going to are in the top 25. the fact that florida high schools suck helped my parents argument against attending a state school (although i would receive 100% tuition.) i don't really see how sh!tty high schools equal sh!tty universities but hey, my parents were good w/ the b.s.

4 years later, i'm $55,000 in debt and i don't know that i faired any better than my friends that attended UM and UF. and i didn't do poorly at cornell either, i have a 3.1 w/ a major in molecular biology and a minor in economics. i worked part time as a computer lab supervisor and i did three years of research w/ a highly respected professor in the bioengineering department. and do i have a job at a pharmaceutical company or biotech firm?!?! NOOOOOOOOOO. perhaps it's the fact that the market posted 85% fewer new hires than expected (32,000 vs. an expected 215,000). are we dipping further back into a recession!??! either way, i would STRONGLY suggest that you take a good hard look at florida schools, especially if you're thinking about any sort of advanced degree. doing well at an ivy will guarantee you a spot at a top firm or graduate school, but you got a 3.1 in high school. your consideration might go as follows: 3.0 at NYU or 3.5 at UF/UM?? of course, you can never break down the argument this easily. my point is just to consider all your options, and IMO florida schools are a damn good option.

This is very true. I think the importance of getting into a good university these days has been greatly overexaggerated at the undergraduate level. It's not the end of the world if you don't get admitted into a top teir school.

A few things to keep in mind: First, graduate school is going to weigh far more heavily in any prospective employer's evalaution than undergraduate school. So even if you go to a not-so-great state school you can still make good grades, get some work experience, and try for a good graduate school.

Second, all your academic work is just going to get you in the door at your first real job. Where you go from there is all merit based. If you're a bright kid you'll do fine. Wherever you go, just remember that you are learning skills that you will use throughout your career for the rest of your life. If you approach your studies seriously and really internalize the material (as opposed to just memorizing it so you can make good grades) your future employers will recognize your skills. By that point you'll know what I'm talking about, so I'll stop rambling now.