I was well-respected at my high school in the band and music programs. I got extremely high honors in band, as well as being ranked #6 out of 63 people of my same instrument at the all-state band competition.

But colleges didn't care. As my senior year dwindled to a close, I kept getting rejection letters and notifications that I'd lost scholarships everywhere.

Well, if someone with my credentials is stuck at community college, doesn't that seem wrong? Would it be pathetic if I made a video on YouTube to warn all high school students about the danger of assuming colleges will care how hard you worked? I got the first-chair spot in the top band at the all-state competition, but that got me $500 in scholarship money. How much does college cost a year? On average, $20,000/yr. What were my grades in high school? My lowest grade in high school was an 89, and most of my grades were 95+.

I just don't want anyone to fall into the same trap that I did. I worked so hard for so much, but got nothing I wanted in the end.

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How many schools did you apply to? Were they all top schools? I have a hard time believing every university would reject you if you've done as great as you say

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They were all tier-1 research universities. But they were also state schools (I live in Texas)

On graduation night, I had a bunch of honors medals and cords around my neck, but in my mind, I was dying inside because I knew it would all mean nothing once the ceremony was over.

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Were you applying to regular colleges and university's or trying to go to a music school/arts school?

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I wasn't applying to any strictly music/arts schools. I did apply to the music divisions for a lot of schools that were rich. (or seemed like they have some money to blow)

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You should have tried harder.

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There's not a lot I can do to try harder at a competitive high school. You either make the grade or you don't.

I don't think it is a matter of you trying harder. You did excellent. I think all public schools can only accept a certain amount of out of state students. Maybe you applied  at a time where most of the spots were filled, or maybe you didn't meet the requirements of an out of state student.  Even if the schools you applied to were in state, I guess it was you against many others. Maybe other applicants had more AP classes or sports on under their belts unfortunately.  

You can always attend community college and then transfer. You will save a lot of money while taking pretty much the same classes as any one else in a 4 year university. People seem to forget that the first 2 years of university are usually just basic courses. You will save a lot of money .  Plus, there are some community colleges near universities that give you the option of signing up for a transfer program that   guarantees your acceptance to the 4 year university as long as you meet the requirements.

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Quote: from Areola at 12:15 am on Aug. 2, 2012

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How many schools did you apply to? Were they all top schools? I have a hard time believing every university would reject you if you've done as great as you say

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They were all tier-1 research universities. But they were also state schools (I live in Texas)

On graduation night, I had a bunch of honors medals and cords around my neck, but in my mind, I was dying inside because I knew it would all mean nothing once the ceremony was over.

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You don't just apply to tier-1 research universities. How about other tier-1 schools? private universities? tier-2 schools? You just set yourself up for you to wind up in community college. You could have applied to so many other schools. Private universities are so expensive to attend.....IF you don't get scholarships. Considering how well you did in high school, some private colleges would have probably given you a huge amount of money to attend their schools. Apply to a community college and just work your way up from there. It doesn't matter where you start, what matters is where you end! Keep working hard and you'll be rewarded!

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We're all messed up some way.