What grades in highschool count the most to get into college?

Should i upgrade my highschool marks or continue with community college?

• I was able to attend college by applying as a mature student. I messed up really badly first semester and then was transferred to another program second semester were i only passed two credits. I was going through a hard time since i was living on my own and had to balance that on top of having a job and being in school. My guidance canceller told me i can upgrade my marks by repeating the classes i failed however i felt like i needed to take a year off to do some reflecting. So i took a year off, did some deep reflecting and thought it would be a better decision to go back and upgrade my high school marks and try to aim for getting my high school diploma so i can apply directly to a 4 year university. However, after researching online, i found out that once you attended any post secondary education, such as community college you automatically are considered a transfer student and your high school grades won't count. Apparently, regardless if i get my diploma or not, they are only going to be looking at the fact that i completed a years worth of college and was unable to pass (if i don't retake those classes). Now i am left wondering, is it even worth it to go back and complete my highschool and try to apply directly using my highschool to a 4 year college knowing that they prob won't accept me given the fact that i went to community college messed up for a year.. plus im considered a transfer student since i completed a year (even if i did not pass its still considered a year apparently cause i never dropped those courses). A little background info about me: I am 21 years old right now and i feel like time is ticking and i need to make up my mind.. I took some time off, went back to school then took some more time off and i feel like i have been dancing around in circiles while people my age have already attened college got their 2 year associates or finishing up their bachelors. I already wasted 10 000 dollars of my parents money at the college and now i have to work a year and pay for first year all on my own. I take full responsibility for that and i will be paying for first year on my own. But in terms of getting the diploma verses redoing the classes i am at a wits end on what to do. Any suggestions? what would you guys do if you were in my situation? i need some help because family and friends are basically just telling me "do what you feel is right" well if knew the answer to that i definitely would not be asking haha :p

• Answer:

  If I were in your situation, I would forget about high school grades and concentrate on "fixing" the college transcript. As you said, the counselor told you that you can upgrade your marks by repeating the classes you failed, so that's the best way to go. When your college transcript looks the way it should, you have the choice of transferring to a four year school, or finishing your degree at the community college and then starting work. Either choice will be fine. But there seems little sense in working toward improving "high school" grades when you will be considered a "transfer" student from the college level anyway. Talk to the college counselor and try to set yourself a class schedule which will allow you to get superior grades. Don't take so many classes that you cannot do well in them, and focus on maintaining a balance between work and school. It's certainly important to support yourself and not get into financial trouble, but it is vital to maintain good grades so that you can "fill in" the hole you have been digging.