My GPA sucks, and I'm poor. Would you still recommend that I go to college?

Question

I'm a high school senior, and I got got my transcript. I'm going to be graduating with a 2.3 :(

Even when I really do try, that's just how it is for me. I take AP classes in English, and I have been told that I write well, but that's about it. I suck at math, science, and... most other subjects, really. And no, I don't do extracurriculars, either.

But, anyway, I want to get a degree in English, and try to become an editor for a publishing house. I was thinking I could maybe start as a freelance proofreader.

I have heard that English degrees are nearly useless in today's market, but that's one of the few subjects I'm any good at. My parents can't help me pay for college at all, and I have no savings, so I will be getting myself into huge debt by going to college.

My counselor tells to me to go to college anyway, but I don't know if it's really worth it, in my case. I'm poor, and my GPA sucks.

Should I bother? Is there anything else you'd recommend for me instead?

Wow, there are a lot of good answers so far! I wanted to add that I do tend to do well on standardized tests, if that has anything to do with it. And, I tend to do well with Spanish and Creative Writing.

I was also thinking of joining the Peace Corps for a few years, after getting my English degree. I hear they are always looking for people to teach English to people in third-world countries, in order to help them gain employment.

Well, thanks to everyone for the encouragement! Picking the best answer will be hard!

Answer 1

yes.. depending on where you go and what you major in, college can be easier than high school..

Answer 2

What is the alternative for you? What would you be doing if you didn't go to college? I don't hear you saying that you are incredible with computers, or that you have an opportunity to play for your dream sports team, or that you have an amazing business idea that you want to pursue. Therefore, I can assume that your alternatives are the following:
a) take a crummy minimum wage job on which you will learn nothing and which will not help you get anywhere.
b) go for some technical training to do a somewhat better job, although it doesn't sound like you have any specific interests in a particular area.
c) go to college and plan to study English. You may find that the reason you were so bad at other things is because the teaching at your high school was poor, or because you were competing against others who were incredibly good, making you look bad by contrast. You may develop study skills and self-confidence which will make everything easier and more interesting. Sure, you may have trouble finding the exact job you want, but even if that is the case, you can go for jobs which require a college diploma, rather than only those which only expect a high school diploma. In that situation, you could be paid more for doing something you aren't crazy about, rather than being paid less for the same thing. You also seem to have specific goals - why not try to see if they could work out? They sound realistic. Finally, and this is one of the best things about college, you may discover new fields that you never realized existed, which offer additional opportunities to you which you might enjoy. College creates options - it allows people entry into areas which previously were closed to them. Therefore, you won't be stuck doing something because it is the only thing you can do, but will be able to choose among several possibilities. I recommend it for you highly.

Answer 3

Though there may be people that tell you not to, you should focus on your strengths. You can't avoid math and science all together, recommend a liberal arts degree and focus on your strengths. Take courses at a community college for your math and science requirements and transfer them over to the university. Reason: class sizes are usually smaller and you have more direct contact with the professors. The larger universities have huge classes...I once had a basic psychology class in an auditorium...talk about feeling like a number and not a person...

Your upper level courses will be easier than your first two years...oh by the way...alot of students drop out after their first or second year. HAVE AND KEEP YOUR VISION. Focus on the here and now and DO NOT get overwhelmed with your goal. Realize each assignment, each day is a piece of that goal. MAP OUT your degree plan IN YOUR FIRST SEMESTER. That way you focus on what you need to complete your degree. ENJOY college, and realize that you are developing into an adult during this time. Do not quit, let a professor ever call you a failure, and never never never get discouraged. You have to hold on to what is good. NEVER be afraid to ask for help and always study.

Answer 4

Well, college would be a good idea. You will probably have to start out in community college (unless of course you go to an online college). It would be a good idea, seeing as classes are smaller and you can get help from the professors if necessary. Granted, you might get stuck taking a bunch of remedial classes in math if you are really bad at it, and then you'll likely have to take calculus (or not, it depends on the college). But the degree is still worth a lot, even if it takes you a long time to get it.

Also, if you can get into college with a good financial aid package, a small college seems like a good idea (again, because of the fact you can get attention if you need it in the areas you stuggle in). A major in English or rhetoric/communications seems like a good idea, but there may be other options/majors you have never considered just because you couldn't take courses in those subjects in high school.

Answer 5

I think the statistic I heard was that over the course of your lifetime, a college education on average means you'll earn 1 million dollars more than if you just had a diploma. Not only that, but with a college degree you're likely to be doing work that's more interesting and more fufilling, and with a college education you'll have new ways of looking at things, new methods of thinking and problem solving and great memories to look back on.

I'd say you should definetely consider college. Take a look at financial aid--there's a lot of it that's merit based that you wouldn't qualify for, but there is some that's strictly need-based, which you would qualify for, as well as some wacky ones you might luck out on (for example, there's a scholarship for anybody who wears a duct tape tux or dress to prom).

And take a look at different colleges. There are decent colleges you can get into with that score, so don't be afraid to apply. You can also always go the community college route--take two years and get your gen eds out of the way (which both gives you a chance to get your GPA up and to save money because tuiton is less and you'll probably live at home), and then transfer to a 4 year and get your degree.

Good luck :)

Answer 6

Education can open doors that may be unavailable to you otherwise. College is very different from high school, and you may find that you can do better than you think. You should get involved in extracirricular activities that relate to writing and English. For example, get on the school newspaper or yearbook staff. Try to get your work published somewhere, even if its in small, local papers. Set up a website as a portfolio to display your talents.

As for the debt, don't go to the expensive schools. At least start with a local community college or public university. You can get your basics out of the way at a lower cost. If you can live at home, so much the better. Don't think that just because you're going to college you have to go away. The money you save will be well worth it. And, if after a couple of years you decide to continue, then you can transfer to a larger or more expensive public or private school. And if college is not for you, then your losses will be less than they would be otherwise. You will likely have to borrow money, but try to keep that money to a minimum. You will need at least a part-time job, but if you can get it in editing or publishing or a work-study program, it would help you more. Try to make your job experience relevant to your future, even if it is a peon at a company you are interested in, because you may make contacts that can help you. Good luck!

Answer 7

I'd recommend settling down with a nice guy and getting married...NOT!!! You do write EXCEPTIONALLY well, especially considering your age. You should definitely go to college, and there are many finanancial aid programs. A 2.3 average while not great, is certainly well above the requirement for maintaining financial aid. When you get to college, you specialize. Yes, there are requirements but with them, just do what you've been doing. Get by with hard work but concentrate on what you love.

While an English degree won't get you into a fortune 500 company, I don't think that's what you want. Don't you see from reading most of the posts in this forum that most people are devoid of lingual skills and that yours are truly a gift??? Believe me. Just keep doing what you're doing, persue your own dreams and goals and you'll be surprised to find how special your talent is. Develop it; write and become an editor. Don't let any of these idiots steer you off your goal, and I repeat GO TO COLLEGE!!!

And whatever you do, do NOT listen to those a'ss-clowns kukuv and bababouie. They speak through paper anuses.

Answer 8

You should always try to go to college. There are Grants which you can get that you don't have to pay back and also scholarships you can apply for. I suggest if your an excellent writer then to find out about some writing scholarships to see if you can get any. You can also take out the dreaded never ending loan to help finance you. Even if your GPA sucks you should start out at a community college. They have tutors in most subjects to help you and you don't even need to pay for some. I have found that with no degree it is hard for me to advance in my field of Accounting. Even though I am really good at what I do and have been doing my job over 8 years. I am getting passed up for people with a degree in child education which has no realtions to accounting at all. So college is always worth it. Just take a class one at a time. You don't have to go full time. I am working on my Degree now and I take one class a year because that is all I can afford. It might take me my whole life to get a degree but I think It is worth it.

Answer 9

of course you should go to college. someone with a college degree makes more than double a person without a degree would make in any field. if you are intimidated by a four year college, you can try a community college or any two year school. an associate's degree is better than none at all.also, do whatever you are good at. a degree in english can be good if you want to teach, write or any other job that involves writing. there is always a job for you if you look hard enough and are determined. don't give up. not every college student is a genius.

Answer 10

Your local community colleges are much cheaper than even state colleges. You can even begin by only taking one or two classes to start. And your GPA won't stand in your way.

You can also continue your education while you work for a living and help pay for what expenses you WILL incur, such as books and supplies.

Your counselor is right. If you want to keep your dream alive to become an editor or proofreader, you mustn't give up on college. Here, however, you must apply yourself, because, in order to eventually transfer to an accredited 4 year college for a degree, you must demonstrate your ability to handle the coursework.

Look into the community colleges near you for detailed info.

Answer 11

It certainly cannot hurt to try to further your education. I'm sure having an English degree would look better on a resume than nothing at all.

As far as the financial part, maybe you could start at a 2-year community college, which are usually less expensive than the 4-year schools. And there are tons of student aid options out there. Ask your conselor about that &/or contact prospective colleges about financial aid.