College Applicant with a Complex Situation (i.e. Scoliosis, glasses, bad grades)

[Dragomir]

Hey there! I was also in a situation similar to yours in high school. I found out about the Academy during junior year and although I wanted to attend it, I had no business applying with how weak of a candidate I was. After graduation, my goal was to become the most competitive applicant I could be.

The first thing I did to set myself up for success was give myself a 2-year timeline. I knew there weren't enough improvements I could make within the few months of an immediate reapplication as a college freshman to obtain an appointment. I first applied in high school for C/O 2025. Instead of applying for 2026, I aimed for C/O 2027. It's important that you are realistic with yourself and your chances. Although I didn't execute it perfectly, it worked out for me in the end, and not only did I receive an appointment, I created new friendships, had awesome experiences, and overall became a better person. I strongly recommend that you also develop a 2-year plan.

Keep your head up, Santie. If you (or anybody else who's in a similar situation) have any questions regarding how to set up this 2-year plan, feel free to DM me. I'll be happy to help you out.

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Current senior in high school in a similar situation with bad grades and hoping to work something out in college. Hoping we are both able to make it through and get that appointment soon. It would be great to keep in touch!

Go to college, carefully select courses that you will get a 4.0 in, do that for 2 semesters and then reapply. Use ratemyprofessors, pick courses you'll excel in - others recommend taking as hard a course as you can - I'm more of a walk before you sprint kinda person - but you do you.

One of my brothers barely passed HS - went to a local college, got a 4.0 for 4 semesters, transferred to an ivy league school, now is phenomenally successful. Guidance counselor kept trying to pull him out of college prep courses and advised he enlist. Ha. Much as they make you feel it does, HS does not fully define your path. You have a reset coming up - in life you only get a few typically. Discipline to get / stay in peak shape, be mentally resolved - that doesn't start in 4 months or tomorrow - that should start tonight and be part of your daily routine. Good luck.

One thing I did in college was to be aggressive on getting great grades from day 1 of each course. for most of my final exams, if i wasn't excused/ exempt,, anything over a 75 would have meant keeping my A since I had a 99+ average in there. Just one strategy. I also did every extra credit opportunity even when a professor chuckled and said "um, you don't need it". I didn't care - - good luck - you can do it - it will not be easy but it can be done.

 

[isch518]

Go to college, carefully select courses that you will get a 4.0 in, do that for 2 semesters and then reapply. Use ratemyprofessors, pick courses you'll excel in - others recommend taking as hard a course as you can - I'm more of a walk before you sprint kinda person - but you do you.

One of my brothers barely passed HS - went to a local college, got a 4.0 for 4 semesters, transferred to an ivy league school, now is phenomenally successful. Guidance counselor kept trying to pull him out of college prep courses and advised he enlist. Ha. Much as they make you feel it does, HS does not fully define your path. You have a reset coming up - in life you only get a few typically. Discipline to get / stay in peak shape, be mentally resolved - that doesn't start in 4 months or tomorrow - that should start tonight and be part of your daily routine. Good luck.

One thing I did in college was to be aggressive on getting great grades from day 1 of each course. for most of my final exams, if i wasn't excused/ exempt,, anything over a 75 would have meant keeping my A since I had a 99+ average in there. Just one strategy. I also did every extra credit opportunity even when a professor chuckled and said "um, you don't need it". I didn't care - - good luck - you can do it - it will not be easy but it can be done.

It feel like such a sense of relief that there are many options after high school and chances even though are still rough are still available and there is a chance. I really find the testimony help and be able to applicants in our similar situation achieve their life long goals. Thank you!