Worrying About Post-High School

[rbregnard]

I never see threads like this on this forum, but I figured I'd put it out there and hope to get some wisdom from those out there in the real world. I'm going into my Junior year in High School. I've managed to slack in my first two years, averaging lows B's to C's in level two (below AP and level one) classes. I am in no sports and no clubs. I currently have no place of employment. This year I am going to try to get A's, hopefully only A's, a job and join a club or two. I am worried that it may be too late for me to get into an above-average college (not like Harvard, but just a good college).

Any words of wisdom to help out my worries?

[SFSteveG]

I'll give you my background and let you know my 2 cents.

I Graduated in '04. I was in one club (all we did was go to the city{Chicago} and fool around, but it counts). I was the president my Junior/Senior year. My Junior year I pushed myself and earned a 2.8ish GPA while making ends meet working for local bands. My senior year I took easy classes and boosted my Era to 3.5 to end H.S. with a high 2's GPA. I took a year off to get a job and make some money and get set into my life before returning to school. Now I'm full time at a good job and go to a community school.

AAAAAAAnyway, If you want to get into a good school BUST YOUR @SS THIS YEAR. Your 2nd semester this year (Junior) is the last one that's going to matter. When you apply for the fall '07 semester it will be between May and December '07 so the last full semester will be your 6th. My suggestion is find a part time job somewhere just for the reference first and foremost. Join a club, anything will do. Nothing too labor intensive so as not to interfere with your work. If you still have time, try to find some volunteering time, just something to be a booster.

The job and the club are just boosters for now so don't overload yourself. Amd remember, it's easier to party if you go away to school with a nice scholarship so try to get your **** work done for the next 9 months so you can party for the next 5 years.

[Jeff Olsen]

I never see threads like this on this forum, but I figured I'd put it out there and hope to get some wisdom from those out there in the real world. I'm going into my Junior year in High School. I've managed to slack in my first two years, averaging lows B's to C's in level two (below AP and level one) classes. I am in no sports and no clubs. I currently have no place of employment. This year I am going to try to get A's, hopefully only A's, a job and join a club or two. I am worried that it may be too late for me to get into an above-average college (not like Harvard, but just a good college).

Any words of wisdom to help out my worries?

I was pretty much in the same boat 20 years ago. I decided to follow my dad and have the Navy pay for my education but that didn't work out. I'm 37 now and still haven't been to college but I make a decent living as a database editor for the Government. I'm no bureaucrat, I just work for 'em. If only someone above me would retire so I can move up to a GS-8.

[boomboom]

If money is tight, i suggest you go to a community college first...it will save you half the money or more for school, and you get the same education...Also a two year transfer degree is a lot easier to get into a major university than going straight into a major college..

I believe if you have a 2.8-3.0 at a community college you can automatically get into a university...Thou each university is different, Like Stanford and Harvard are probably have higher standards.

At University of Washington, if you have a 3.2 or higher at a community college...you get in...thou there may be a waiting list, you still get into the school, if you have less than a 3.2-2.8, you get in based on a number of cercomstances...like interview ect...anything less than 2.8, i am unsure.

[Dee Dreslough]

AAAAAAAnyway, If you want to get into a good school BUST YOUR @SS THIS YEAR. Your 2nd semester this year (Junior) is the last one that's going to matter.

A hearty 'I AGREE!'. This is the year. Junior year is the one that counts. This semester, next semester and your first semester senior year count. Show 'em that you can focus, you can get the grades, you can stay out of trouble...they'll see that you shaped up. If someone was a A+ student all the way along, that's nice...But (to me) it says volumes mroe about your character that you yourself, *chose* to clean up your act and focus. Your parents aren't going to be with you in college. When I see straight A's all the way through, I suspect Mommy and Daddy had a hand in things. (Then again, I never finished college either...I've been rejected from some of the finest in the land, too! MIT, when I get my nobel prize, you will RUE the DAY...! )

Good luck, and congratulations on deciding to take the initiative on this. It's something not seen very often.

-Dee Dreslough
Sports Mogul Inc.
www.sportsmogul.com