Can you get into college if you did bad in High School?

Question

I didn't do very well in High School making C's & D's. I wasn't interested in college then and I just did what I had to do to pass and graduate. Now that I am 27 & at a low-paying, dead end job & I would like to go to Dalton State. I never took any test for college while I was in school & of course my grade point average was not good at all. Do you think I would be able to get accepted into Dalton State & would I be eligible for any kind of grants like the hope scholarships or something? I have always lived in Georgia so that wouldn't be a problem. Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

Dalton State may be a good fit for you. You'll need to use the application essays to explain why now - why you didn't do well before, and why you think you will do now. What changed? Basically, why should they admit you, despite your poor past grades.

You may also need to take the SAT. But I'd actually have you sit down, in person, with an admissions counsellor from Dalton. Ask them if you need the SAT to enter one of their associates degree programs, and if not, if you can get the AS and then later transfer to their bachelor's program. That'd be a nice way around having to take that test, because I believe you'd need to take the SAT in order to get into one of their bachelor's programs. But the associates? Maybe not. And once you get the associates, no college will ask you for the SAT. You'd never have to take it.

Also speak with them about your circumstances. Do you stand a chance of being admitted to their BA programs, or do you have a better shot if you apply for an associates? They may ask you to do a class or two with them or at a community college before you apply, via continuing education. This would not be an unusual request of someone in your situation.

You may be eligible for grants and etc, so talk to them about that. You'll need to complete the FAFSA when the time comes, and they can guide you through that process as well. That form helps them calculate what financial aid you'd get.

Answer 2

Yes you can. The vast majority of public colleges and universities do not require you to even have a high school degree or GED (although certain programs, such as ROTC do require it). The easiest way is to take some night classes at your college of choice. They will accept you into a program based on the work you do in COLLEGE rather than what you did in high school. I graduated with a B.S. from the Univ. of MN and they've never had any of my high school records, nor did I have to take any entrance tests or SATs, etc. My high school burned down (along with the records) and the state lost all the information on my graduating class 5 years after graduation. I graduated with a guy who never went to high school. He did the same thing.

I was eligible for student loans and Pell Grants. There were few other grants available to non-traditional students (anybody above 22).

Finally, yes, you can take classes at a community college and transfer in as well. Transferring is the key to getting in to colleges with tight enrollments as well.

Answer 3

I don't know anything about Dalton State. I would check with their agreement with the community colleges. If it is like it is in Florida, you can get into a community college with a high school diploma. Once you graduate from a state community college, you MUST be accepted at a state university sytem 4-year school (as a Junior).

Answer 4

cosmo, it is never too late to start. you should be able to get into dalton state if you meet the requirements and minimums

You may want to consider becoming a pharmacist! Why?

PROS

1) Takes as little as 5 years to complete a pharmacy degree after high school

2) Flexible working hours, you can work 9-5 or do a 7 on and 7 off system

3) Starting pay can be anywhere from 75-150k depending on location and need

4) You can literally get a job anywhere in the US because of the short supply and great demand of pharmacists

5) You will have time to start a family

If you want more info about pharmacy school, visit http://www.GetIntoPharmacySchool.com

Answer 5

I really can't tell you, but there is always a way. If you don't get in the front door, try the back door. Go to a community college for 2 yrs. Get your AA degree. Then most state schools almost have to take you. Community colleges are generally very affordable. Good Luck!

Answer 6

If you find that you have a problem getting into Dalton State, check out a community college in order to get a few basic courses on record first. Ask the college adviser about what courses would fully transfer to Dalton State. Most of the basic classes (math, humanities, English, statistics, etc...) are likely to transfer with a passing grade. If you can show a high enough GPA in the college courses, you should be able to transfer to Dalton State to complete your degree.

Answer 7

I think your best bet would be to attend a community college first. Attend for one semester and then transfer. You don't need to take the SATs if you are in community college or transfer from another college

Answer 8

The only way to know is to try. If Dalton State won't take you at first, try going to a community college for two years and if you do well, they will take you for sure. I'm betting you do qualify for the Hope program. Here's the website to check:
http://www.gsfc.org/hope/

Good luck to you!

Answer 9

If you go to a community college for two years and get really strong grades there, you can definitely get into school and maybe with scholarships! Good luck!!

Answer 10

You can always apply to a university, but if you don't get in you should spend a semester or two at a community college to "prove yourself" and then try applying to the university again.