College

[strongbad]

So, we had college people at our school last week and our teachers were telling all the stuff that colleges looked at. They said that you should have atleast one AP class, have above a 3.5, and have a ton of after school stuff if you want to even consider getting into college. Now, I that scared me since I have no plans to take any AP classes and can barely maintain a 3.5 as it is.

So, I've talked to a few people in college who had none of that stuff, and said that refrences were a big part of it. So, I'm really confused on what to do. I would love to go to a university, but I'll most likely be going to a community college for 2 years, then transfering over to a smaller university.
So, the point of this thread, for those of you who are currently in college, or have been accepted, how did you get there?

[ME##]

I find it hard to believe that you would need all of that just to get into an university. They were probably trying to get you to work harder or something, hell my GPA isn't great at all I think it's something like 2.89 and universities won't stop harassing me, but that could be because I did well on the Plan test we took...

[strongbad]

I find it hard to believe that you would need all of that just to get into an university. They were probably trying to get you to work harder or something, hell my GPA isn't great at all I think it's something like 2.89 and universities won't stop harassing me, but that could be because I did well on the Plan test we took...

Thats what I thought. I think the teachers just want you to do amazing so you'll get accepted no matter what or sumthin

[ME##]

Thats what I thought. I think the teachers just want you to do amazing so you'll get accepted no matter what or sumthin

Most likely. Hardly any school would deny you with that shit. The one worry I have with getting into university is that I've heard some of my teachers tell us that they like students who have extracurricular activities... But there is no extracurricular activity I've taken.

[strongbad]

Yeah, they've told us that, too.
I forgot to say this in my origional post, but here's my current situation:
-3.5 GPA (3.1 cumulative, but i did bad my freshman year)
-I'll be in 11th grade next year and will be enrolled in no AP classes
-Currently participating in JV tennis, Varcity swimteam, and keyclub (commuity service)

so, if I continue how I am next year and the following year, do I have a good shot to get into a university?

[ME##]

Yeah, they've told us that, too.
I forgot to say this in my origional post, but here's my current situation:
-3.5 GPA (3.1 cumulative, but i did bad my freshman year)
-I'll be in 11th grade next year and will be enrolled in no AP classes
-Currently participating in JV tennis, Varcity swimteam, and keyclub (commuity service)

so, if I continue how I am next year and the following year, do I have a good shot to get into a university?

Yes, most universities would be fine with that, unless you're aiming for Ivy League.

[strongbad]

Yes, most universities would be fine with that, unless you're aiming for Ivy League.

Cool. And no, I'm not aiming for anything like that.

[Squirtlejazz]

They don't want you to be spread too thin with the activities, then it looks like you are doing them just to get into college. Stick with a few that you enjoy the most.

[ME##]

They don't want you to be spread too thin with the activities, then it looks like you are doing them just to get into college. Stick with a few that you enjoy the most.

But what if you enjoy nothing that the school offers? AM I GOING TO HAVE TO SUFFER SOME GOD AWFUL JOB AT MCDONALD'S BECAUSE OF THIS? 

[Socks]

But what if you enjoy nothing that the school offers? AM I GOING TO HAVE TO SUFFER SOME GOD AWFUL JOB AT MCDONALD'S BECAUSE OF THIS?

If I could tell you one piece of advice, choose something you like as a career and take those classes that interest you, if you don't, college will be pointless and hell. This will determine what you do the rest of your life, don't blow it, and no you wont end up at Micky D's if you don't follow some stupid pre arranged course.

[Daddy]

3.5? Lol, no.

You'd be fine with a 3.0

I had a 2.9 and did well, though I did have a lot of honors and AP classes.  My test scores weren't that bad either(though a 570 on math, 530 verbal, 510 writing aren't the highest they were a bit higher than the school's average so it looked good.  If I prepared I could have done better).  I only had one activity, being treasurer/president of Business Professionals of America.

[Snorkel]

They tell everyone that; unless you're trying to get into some prestigious shit school you shouldn't worry about AP classes or things to put on your resume to impress them.

[YPrrrr]

- I have a 3.5 GPA
- 5 AP classes
- 7 extracurriculars
- 2nd best SAT in my school

So far I'm accepted at Uconn, and am waiting to hear from my other schools, such as Wisconsin and Boston College, which will be making their decisions within the month.

It really depends on the school of whether your resume will impress them or not. If you're just looking for some small university like you mentioned, you should be fine though

[Snorkel]

They don't want you to be spread too thin with the activities, then it looks like you are doing them just to get into college. Stick with a few that you enjoy the most.

Yeah, this is very true. They're looking for commitment and proof that you can follow through on something, not proof that you can do a bunch of things at once.

Also, I've been told that having some documented community service hours helps out a lot too; unfortunately over the past 4 years working with my school's student service thing I've endlessly neglected the hours documentation forms

[Boogus Epirus Aurelius]

Well, I didn't really do a whole lot of research when I started applying(did I spell that right; my brain's mush today), something I regret a little. I ended up settling for my local university which would probably accept any hodge off the street. I'm planning on hitting an associate's degree and then going on from there. It actually ended up working out pretty good for myself as I'm still very undecided on what career I want to pursue.
  I guess from my experience, don't put a whole lot of faith into those college-prep speakers and guidance workers. They play it out to be this incredibly intimidating thing which only adds on pounds of unneeded stress, something that nobody needs.
   Also, don't feel pressured into seeking a carrer just because you've been advised to do so. Honestly, try to do something you really want to learn about. Never swim with the current. I have a few good friends who are all majoring in accounting because the "money's there", but they're absolutly miserable in class.
Good luck.