Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: I got rejected by all the US colleges I applied to. Now what?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

1–10 of 40 posts

Ask HN: I got rejected by all the US colleges I applied to. Now what?

#1

Post by sloka »

- I got a low ACT score (28). Took the test only once.

- I applied to all the Ivy’s plus half a dozen other private undergraduate colleges. Got rejected from all.

- I assumed my ‘other’ credentials will make up for my low ACT score. I guess i was wrong.

- I scored straight A’s in my A Levels.

- I co-founded a company that has been successfully running for 3+ years now.

- I play a very popular sport at the state level.

- I expected to at least get into Babson (for its entrepreneurship program). But nope.

- Not an expert yet, but i can code (python, javascript).

On the plus side, i have saved 100,000+ USD that i can use as seed capital if i launch my company.

Re: Ask HN: I got rejected by all the US colleges I applied to. Now what?

#2

Post by freeslugs »

Think about where you want to be 3-5 years from now. From an IRR and ROI perspective, not all colleges are equal and often trade schools yield higher relative returns. You definitely have a lot of capital and can invest in future endeavors. Try to apply for a software internship for the summer -- strong way to gain hard skills and determine whether tech life is a good fit.

Re: Ask HN: I got rejected by all the US colleges I applied to. Now what?

#4

Post by 8bitsrule »

Another path you can take is to enroll at a community college for a year or two to demonstrate your ability to succeed in coursework. Check with the school to be sure that the coursework credits you earn will transfer to a larger school of your choice.

A relative of mine took that path (due to the crappy school he attended as a teen) and graduated as a chemistry honors student from a State University.

Reliance on ACT scores (yours isn't all that low!) is a mechanical, shitty practice. Route around the damage.

Re: Ask HN: I got rejected by all the US colleges I applied to. Now what?

#6

Post by paypalcust83 »

tomohawk wrote: post #3

Consider applying to a different school, perhaps a state school. A common strategy is to go to a community college for 2 years and then transfer.

I did that on a TAA even though I was GATE, NMS, and had a perfect math SAT I 800.# It loses dorm life and social aspects, doesn't save much money, it messes up course scheduling, and there can be an impedance mismatch in terms of course content/prerequisites. I would recommend against it if at all possible.

# 4-5 years of Boston snow or flambéing in Pasadena didn't seem appealing.

Re: Ask HN: I got rejected by all the US colleges I applied to. Now what?

#7

Post by keiferski »

I’d say you have two options:

1. Look into universities in Continental Europe. Most are free or have low tuition and will still give you a solid education. I recommend somewhere in Germany, Austria, Sweden or the Netherlands. Depending on the city, $100,000 will cover your expenses for 5-10 years.

2. Spend the next year prepping for the SAT. Hire a private tutor, sign up for courses, etc. Then get a high score and reapply next year.

Re: Ask HN: I got rejected by all the US colleges I applied to. Now what?

#8

Post by kingkongjaffa »

In context those A-level results are good enough for any of the top 20 if not top 10 universities in the UK, it's a good qualification if not quite top 5 levels ( oxbridge / top london uni's. )

I suspect the Ivy leagues have enough domestic applicants that a very respectable, but not outstanding candidate with less well understood grades would not make the cut here.

Re: Ask HN: I got rejected by all the US colleges I applied to. Now what?

#9

Post by cbanek »

Take a year and do your company and apply again next year? It seems like the whole university system is kind of wondering what will happen in the fall right now due to the virus. You could have more time to prep and do the ACT over again, and apply to the same schools again and maybe add a couple of others just to widen the net? Seems like you really have a good head on your shoulders. Best of luck.
Post reply on HN