Ways to improve academic standing without going to community college? (lemmy.world)

submitted 8 months ago by Duamerthrax@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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I'm in a catch 22 situation. I want to go to a four year college, but I was previously placed in the remedial track and have a poor academic standing. If I go to a community college, I could improve my grades, but the material they cover is a replacement for high school classes and I'd be precluded from signing up for entry classes at the four year college. This seems like to would put me at a disadvantage when that finally happened and I would only be setting myself up for long term failure.

I'd consider CC if I could "transfer" in as a freshman to a four year, but the colleges I looked into all have rules against applying as a freshman if you have two years worth of credits. When I tried CC, the material was absolutely high school level just with smaller font in the textbooks.

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[-] 31415926535@lemm.ee 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

I don't do well in traditional semester college cuz adhd.

So, never went to college. Started in fast food, last job was 75k/ year tech job.

I took a lot of short term accredited programs. ROP certifications. LearnIT. Studied on my own to test MVP certifications for excel, PowerPoint, word. You can study on your own to take A+ certification exam. I took community college non credit classes about various applied arts.

So, I'd show up at job interviews with no traditional college degree, but a ton of certifications, short term classes, etc. They were fascinated by my diverse tech skills, it showed I had ambition. So I got a lot of jobs easily this way.

Also, try being a career temp for a while. If you prove you'll show up for the gigs professionally, they'll send you to more assignments . I did this for a decade, got phenomenal skillset, different industries , lot of diverse experience.

[-] Duamerthrax@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

I have a job. That's not what the post is about.

[-] Bahalex@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

I don’t understand much here.

You’re struggling in self taught high school geometry, but tested out at CC.

You took HS, CC, and online intro to biology classes all at the same time.

The CC wouldn’t let you run experiments due to lack of facilities.

You are used as an expert judge in competitions in your (unknown) field.

You want to maximize time in a college or university research lab.

I’ll say this, you most likely won’t be in a lab much as an undergraduate, so don’t worry about transferring as a freshman. Why not ask all the friends and acquaintances in the research labs for advice and help? If that’s where you’d like to end up?

Also, if you can already enroll in the college, then they, and no one, cares about your academic past- especially high school…

[-] Duamerthrax@lemmy.world 0 points 8 months ago

You’re struggling in self taught high school geometry, but tested out at CC.

You took HS, CC, and online intro to biology classes all at the same time.

These didn't happen at the same time.

The CC wouldn’t let you run experiments due to lack of facilities.

This college bragged about their shiny new science building, but they cheaped out in every way. The rooms were even too small, so people were having their backs touch if they sat opposite each out at adjacent tables. Hillbillies make moonshine in the woods, but they couldn't grow a little biobutanol?

It's the attitude "don't try anything hard, you might fail" that was pressured on me all though compulsory education that I hate. There are high schools with better labs and more expectations for their students than that community college. I know, the judging competitions are state wide science fairs. And I'm not giving my field of expertise because I'm not doxxing myself.

I’ll say this, you most likely won’t be in a lab much as an undergraduate

That's literally what UROP is. Many colleges have it. You just have to ask.

this post was submitted on 27 Feb 2024

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