A 1.6 GPA... Out of High School. Got serious and want to get a better job but can't because of GPA...Now what?

Question

When people say there are times in life when you need a little insight. Believe me... I NEED ALL OF IT AS I CAN GET!!!

I never liked school. I was the quite one but never really put forth an effort to do well. Heck, I didn't even take the SAT's. But still I squeaked by in graduating with a standard diploma. Now, I'm really starting to crack down and get serious about my life but my academic past and my surprise pathetic 1.6 GPA (Repeat 1.6) is always coming back to haunt me. I'm young, seventeen years old and really need to get on the stick. Is it anyone else's fault I was a total slacker? Hell no. I just need to get it together and I'm feeling the sting from the dumb mistakes I've made. But how can I when my GPA won't even get me into a community college or even the military? I feel stuck and can't live w/ the folks forever.

So is there anyone here who was in the same boat as me and got out of it and is doing well for themselves. If anyone can give me adivice it would be swell

Answer 1

go to a community college and do well, then go to a more reputable college with the higher grade you received at the community college, if you choose courses carefully the credits should carry to the major college. good luck!!

Answer 2

What Sim s meant (i think) is that a community college will take you, as long as you have a HS diploma...I think they will even take you if you have a GED. I really think you are getting frustated with a couple(?) of minor set backs. You are 17; not exactly a turning point in your life...your journey is just begining. The fact that you did not really put a lot of effort in HS doesn't really have a bearing in what you plan to do with your life. Nowadays a HS education will get you a job at Micky D's and maybe a gas station. A job is a job don't get me wrong. If you really want to make something of yourself stay in school and keep studying. I hate old saying but I see myself refering back to this one: if there is a will there is a way. No matter how big you think this mole hill of yours is belive me it is nothing. Not to bust your buble but 17, straight out of HS...frankly you will not land a suppervisor possition anywhere...not even MC. It is good to set your sights high, but be reallistic. Going on a limb, your GPA is not your problem, perhaps is the way you carry yourself, your image, confidence and maturity that will hold you back more so. If it's a job you need (right now) and your parents are not rich then do what the rest of us did, realise you have to take a job you may have not seen yourself doing, and keep working for more. HS alone is not enough. Junior/community college will let you enrroll (have you even looked into it???)
Now after being in the military for several years believe me when I say....if you want to join a service and don't have a physical disability. then you are pretty much in. You are not going to get a specialty like computer programer or practical nurse or any high technical job, but you will be surprise what you can acheive. I don't think you really looked into your options.
Here is my final peice of insight, if you really want to work hard and make more of yourself...then start doing it. Get your head out from where the sun don't shine REALLY LOOK INTO THE OPPORTUNITIES YOU HAVE. And don't cry when the hard work gets harder. Forget about that lousy GPA it doesn't mean ANYTHING not even graduate school GPA mean that much. Stop expecting an easier way. Life for you has just began, get ready to work hard.

Answer 3

Well, if you are serious about re-starting your life, try applying to a junior college. There is a chance that they can still accept you. With just a high school diploma, I doubt you will ever find a good job. Try the junior colleges (search the web for some) and from there put in your best effort. Good luck and work hard!

P.S. Your English skills are better than some I've seen with a 1.6 GPA. You just have to put your effort into everything you do.

Answer 4

If you graduated from high school you can still go into the military. They will have you take an entrance exam to determine which MOS's (jobs) you qualify. The Army in particular will give you a bundle for college.

If military isn't your bag you can still get into a junior college. Buckle down and bring your grades up there, and then you can move on to a bigger school.

Set your sites high for the long run and you will achieve them if you really want to. I was in the same boat as you. I did the military and then just went to a community college. Now earn well over $100K a year. I think many of us don't get serious until after high school.

Answer 5

If you can go to a local community college for continuing education courses, you shouldn't have to have a GPA or even report anything other than that you graduated high school. Once you have pulled up your GPA to some degree with those courses, you might be able to enroll in a degree program or the military.

Answer 6

Okay, you are 17, you can go to another school that would help you get ready to go to college (this would only take 1 year) It would help you mature a little more so that you are ready to start college in a year. You want to move on and get better. Then take some classes at a community college. Work at any job that you can get - that means McDonald's - they like students even have a place for them to study. Then take some classes at the community college that will help you get a job in a field you would like to do - receptionist, secretary, etc. There are a lot of these classes being taught and a lot of companies want their employees to have experience - now you need to get experience. Sign up at a lot of temp agencies (at least 3 to 5) and go everywhere they tell you to go. Bust your butt at every job you are sent on - one of these companies will want to keep you. Only you can change your past.

Answer 7

Your GPA does not matter to go into community college. They will accept anyone who has a diploma or G.E.D. I only have a GED and started at the bottom making minimum wage, worked hard and now make over 50k a year. It's possible, just work hard. If you want to go to college start out with community and get your AA, then transfer if you want a more advanced degree.

Answer 8

It is against the law for a community college to turn anyone away. They are required by law to provide any remediation programs required. Anyone who has told you otherwise is a liar. Go back and request the CEE (College Entrance Exam). You may score low in areas, but you will just be remediated in those subjects.

If any community college turns you down, call the department of higher education for your state. Report them. If that doesn't get you anywhere, find a good lawyer and sue them.

Answer 9

Look into taking the GED test and proving that you are better than your GPA shows. Then take a couple of college courses or try the military again. The military will probably let you just take the ASVAB test even if you don't take the GED.

Answer 10

Community college will take you as long as you have your high school diploma.