Bad Situation: I'm Going to Reverse It.

Zargonz

Zargonz

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Aug 12, 2020
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Rising senior; will be applying for VMI (my first choice) as well as other SMCs this year. I'm from Northern VA, D.C. suburbs.
Here's the point: I've got a weighted GPA of 2.9 (2.5 unweighted) thanks to personal issues and a nasty case of teenage depression.

I'm probably doomed, but I will not even consider the prospect of quitting; this is my dream, and by God I'm gonna' fight to save it.

There are a few silver linings here. I attended a JROTC boarding school in junior year and passed LET I easily enough. I'm doing okay extracurricular-wise; I've got JLAB, Raiders, and CyberP under my belt.
Biggest thing I've got going my way are SAT scores in the 1500s; I'm studying everyday for a perfect 1600.
Dunno if it'll be enough for admissions to overlook an admittedly-horrible attendance record. Suppose I'll just have to try.

Tips, anecdotes, advice; any help is appreciated, as it puts me closer to my objective.
 
@Zargonz - I commend you on your desire to attend one of the SMCs. There is not a bad choice in the group. I think Texas A&M and VA Tech are going to be a stretch (grade wise). VMI had a much lower acceptance rate than The Citadel and Norwich. Of those 3 - Citadel has the highest rate of acceptance. Also look at Univ of North GA. (AROTC only)

Some reality - VMI, Norwich and the CItadel are very expensive options if you are not on scholarship and non-resident (Out of State -Not applicable at Norwich since it is private) It sounds like you are in-state for VMI, so I would focus on that.

There are many VMI alums on here that can give you more guidance on how admissions there.

The past is the past - you can't change it. You change what you can, learn from your mistakes and drive on. Tell the story - why did you change and why do you want to attend VMI. There is more to an applicant than just grades. Schools like VMI are looking for well rounded leaders.

Good luck to you.
 
EEBTTF said:
@Zargonz - I commend you on your desire to attend one of the SMCs. There is not a bad choice in the group. I think Texas A&M and VA Tech are going to be a stretch (grade wise). VMI had a much lower acceptance rate than The Citadel and Norwich. Of those 3 - Citadel has the highest rate of acceptance. Also look at Univ of North GA. (AROTC only)

Some reality - VMI, Norwich and the CItadel are very expensive options if you are not on scholarship and non-resident (Out of State -Not applicable at Norwich since it is private) It sounds like you are in-state for VMI, so I would focus on that.

There are many VMI alums on here that can give you more guidance on how admissions there.

The past is the past - you can't change it. You change what you can, learn from your mistakes and drive on. Tell the story - why did you change and why do you want to attend VMI. There is more to an applicant than just grades. Schools like VMI are looking for well rounded leaders.

Good luck to you.
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Thank you for the info, I'm grateful for your help.
You're spot on about the past, I don't intend to let it stand in the way of my progress. I'm sure you see lots of teenagers here citing depression as a reason for academic failure. It's hard, but it's not unbeatable. I've already beaten mine to death.

I've looked into every SMC America's got and I'd be more than happy to attend any of them if they'll have me. The more seriously they take SAT/ACT scores, the better.
 
Zargonz said:
Thank you for the info, I'm grateful for your help.
You're spot on about the past, I don't intend to let it stand in the way of my progress. I'm sure you see lots of teenagers here citing depression as a reason for academic failure. It's hard, but it's not unbeatable. I've already beaten mine to death.

I've looked into every SMC America's got and I'd be more than happy to attend any of them if they'll have me. The more seriously they take SAT/ACT scores, the better.
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Good on you. Depression is real, glad you are confronting it. Work hard on finishing up high school strong, continual improvement. SAT/ACT is an important part as well. Good luck and hope you stick around on this board - there is a wealth of experience and helpful people.
 
I’m not seeing what your goal is. Getting into VMI? Getting into another SMC?

Do you want to join the military? I teach high school in NOVA and know almost every JROTC teacher in our area.

What do you want to do/get in your last year of high school? Remember we are all in the same suck.

If you can’t get into a four year school sign up for NOVA. It’ll take you 10 minutes to be a student there. I happen to know a premier ass kicker who finished his first two years there and he turned out good. You don’t have enough site cred to DM me so write on my profile page and we can talk more. If you want.
 
The SAT will be a huge help. In state VMI is much more affordable than out of state. It's not too late to raise your GPA a little. I'm not sure what all of the activities you're in are. You only need a 2.5 GPA to apply for an AROTC. Yes that's low but your SAT puts you in the top 2% of the country. When you interview with a PMS it's worth the trip to VMI for that interview. Impress the PMS, dress appropriately, have a solid appearance, think of it as an admissions interview. Early decision may help. Do you play any team sports or instruments?
 
There is a zero percent chance of acceptance- if you don’t apply. You have a really good SAT- that will help. If I understand you - your junior year was much better than previous years- that will help. Do you have any athletics? Any AP classes? Those would help. At the end of the day- You don’t have a great record but there is more to admission decisions than just numbers- convincing the school that you really want to go to VMI, and that you will succeed there Both academically and in the military program will count most of all. So hunt down an Alum in your area for an interview (You can find one on the VMI website ) and be enrolled in the hardest academic schedule that you can succeed at and then knock it out of the park for this first semester of your senior year is the best I can suggest.
 
Devil Doc said:
If you can’t get into a four year school sign up for NOVA. It’ll take you 10 minutes to be a student there.
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If you were my son this is exactly what I'd tell you. Give the application a go now, but if it doesn't work out straight from HS, go to community college for a year and knock out a 4.0 full freshman courseload. With your SAT score, I'd think at that point you would be in good shape to transfer darn near anywhere.
IMO, that is one of the greatest values of CC; they give you a chance for a do-over if you had problems in HS.
 
franknd said:
If you were my son this is exactly what I'd tell you. Give the application a go now, but if it doesn't work out straight from HS, go to community college for a year and knock out a 4.0 full freshman courseload. With your SAT score, I'd think at that point you would be in good shape to transfer darn near anywhere.
IMO, that is one of the greatest values of CC; they give you a chance for a do-over if you had problems in HS.
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This is exactly what I tell my high school students, most of whom have no path to a four year school.
 
There are Junior Military Colleges too. Marion Military Institute for example. If you are getting in the 1500s on the SATs, there’s no reason to think you can’t knock it out of the park at a junior military college and then transfer to a four year. Maybe even transfer to a service academy.

My older DS barely graduated high school, went to a community college and then was able to transfer to one of the better state universities in our state. It is never too late!
 
NJROTC-CC said:
There are Junior Military Colleges too. Marion Military Institute for example. If you are getting in the 1500s on the SATs, there’s no reason to think you can’t knock it out of the park at a junior military college and then transfer to a four year. Maybe even transfer to a service academy.

My older DS barely graduated high school, went to a community college and then was able to transfer to one of the better state universities in our state. It is never too late!
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Great point. New Mexico Military Institute, among others, are fantastic junior colleges. At these junior military colleges, you can attain a commission in the Army reserve after two years, which is a tremendous option for those willing to put in the effort and time. By the way, 1500 on the SATs is fantastic...
 
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