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:

  Do a Community College. Most community colleges offer GED programs so you can complete your Diploma/Equivalent there. At age 21, i'm not sure if you could go back into your original High School. Your situation seems waaaay to risky so it's much better to flunk out of a Community College than a 4-year school since Community Colleges are a lot cheaper and if you fail, you wouldn't have wasted too much money.