Читать книгу America's Best Colleges for B Students - Tamra B. Orr - Страница 14

When you start your college search, you have to find a happy balance between being optimistic and realistic. Look at the GPA and ACT/SAT scores that each college lists and analyze those numbers in relationship to yours. If a college’s cut-off on the SAT verbal score is 510 and yours is 520, go ahead and apply — it’s a “safety” college. What if your score is 480? Give it a try — it’s a “fairly good chance” college. How about a score of 410? Not likely — but you could still apply to this college; just don’t hold your breath. Be willing to stretch a little and know that those numbers are not carved in stone but are general guidelines.

The colleges profiled in this book do more than just accept B students. They are dedicated to helping them. They may offer a first-year general studies, remedial or transition class to help get you started. Many offer on-campus writing clinics and tutoring services. When you get in touch with the representatives from these colleges, be prepared to ask them what services they might offer. Can you record lectures? Are there faculty advisers for each student? Are classes offered to help with the transition to college? Even if they don’t have any plans in place (which is unlikely) your request might be just enough to implement one.

Let’s take an up-close look at each of these options for a moment. It’s important for you to think about which of these features is important to you and will help you succeed in college. Take notes so that when you contact a college rep or admissions officer, you can ask if these choices exist at the school: