Is there a way to get into college without ACT and an math learning block though above average in others?
I graduated from High School a year ago, and wish to go to college. I excel above average in English, History and other such subjects. However I am extremely math deficient, to the point of having been said to have a mental block by some counselors while at the same time having comments that I was a “genius” and above average in other subjects.
After going over multiplication facts every day in in Sylvan Tutoring for math I still do not know them. They tried to teach me formulas, and basic mathematical procedures and after intensive tutoring trying all kinds of different learning methods I still do not know how to do a basic formula without error.
This obviously has kept my ACT score under the minimum scores required for college and a low GPA, that and my difficulty at taking time tests a year after being out of HS.
Is there any special program or way to get into college without the ACT in this case? I have no professionally diagnosed learning disability though?
I help my friends with their 4th year regular college work at a pretty good state college, and am able to comprehend their material better than they are so have to explain it to them, and help them proofread their work.
I have always tested way above average in English, literature, history, etc. In the top 2% in most standardized tests. Always asked to read in class because I was able to pronounce the words, even in High School.
All of my friends who are in college say I am extremely intelligent, and do not understand why I am not in college because I can explain concepts to them they do not even understand. It is a math learning disability for me…
April 21st, 2010 at 10:43 am
I have just completed my AA online thru Saint Leo. I did not have to have any SAT or ACT scores to enter. I did have to take a placement test that the school provides. The english test was in the essay format and the math was deceiving. I thought that it was only going to be general math. But it was not it was algebra. I did not pass the test and had to take basic algebra before taking Algebra 1 and 2. Other than that it was pretty easy.
Good luck!!
April 21st, 2010 at 11:07 am
Apply to a college that doesn’t require ACT/SAT tests. For example, Gustavus Adolphus University, a great private school in Southern Minnesota, recently made the decision to eliminate the requirement of ACT/SAT tests. Get a bunch of reference letters from teachers, etc. and in the application tell the college EXACTLY what you just told us. Math is totally overrated for most careers.
http://www.gac.edu
April 21st, 2010 at 11:51 am
some schools may have programs, if you are truly genius (or even above average) in one field and not another. Just apply and see what the colleges offer you.
if you hear nothing the best thing to do is to go to community college. at least for a few semesters and then apply to some college.
a lot of colleges have a buddy system with the local community colleges and smaller schools, so you might be able to use going to one of those as a stepping stone to getting into a “better” school and sometimes you may be able knock off a few credits.
April 21st, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Junior/Community College never requires SAT/ACT scores or a good high school GPA.
Get good grades there (perhaps not taking a math class) and you can transfer to the college of your choice.
Once you have taken 1 year of college, your ACT/SAT scores are meaningless, just your college performance counts.
April 21st, 2010 at 12:56 pm
You can go to a community college, as others have said, and maybe transfer up. Anywhere you go there will be tutors available for math as well as testing and resources for learning disabilities in case you might be able to be diagnosed with something that might exempt you from higher math.
The problem you’re going to face is that once you get in, almost all colleges have not just a minimum number of math credits, but they have to be at a minimum level. This means that you may have a full year or two of remedial math classes (which aren’t even available everywhere, but usually are at community colleges) that won’t even count toward the core requirements, just to prepare you for the classes that do. You’ll have to spend most of your energy on math, taking it possibly every semester from day one until you graduate, while others around you only need two semesters of it. This has been the case for an acquaintance of mine who struggles with math and unwisely didn’t take any classes in it during the first two years and is now in year six or something like that, finally finishing up the math requirement. Don’t let that stop you, but be prepared for it.