So I am a high school graduate of 2011 (woohoo!!:)). I have gotten pretty descent grades and my GPA is an average 0f 3.1. I have taken only the ACT test and took the EPL/ELM exams when I applied to colleges the year before and was supposed to enroll in classes for Fall of 2011. My only problem is that I never applied and my applications are put on hold. I was wondering if my high school transcripts are valid to start all over and apply as an undergraduate for 2012. Is that possible? can I also do this with my FAFSA application? Are my ACT, EPL/ELM scores valid for next year? can I still take the SAT test?
I’m not exactly sure of the issue here…you missed the deadline to apply for the Fall term?
If so you can certainly apply for the Spring term or for Fall 2012. Your transcript and ACT scores are still good. They are what they are and part of your record.
I suppose if enough time passes a university may not deem that evidence valid anymore (e.g. you are 50 and applying to the university) but I would suspect one year shouldn’t undo all that.
Perhaps they would have you take an entrance exam. Would depend on the university.
ETA: You might look into getting into the university via Continuing Education. This is generally meant for adults who just want to take a class and not fart around trying to prove they are a good student. Universities allow this all the time (more money). You can usually take three or so classes in a semester via this which is not a full load but a start. If you take the class for a grade and do the work the university will usually consider that when you apply and if you are accepted the classes will be deemed valid towards your overall graduation requirements.
And I think you can tale the SAT anytime you want. I took both (was a long time ago now) and I recall the SAT being more commonly the thing universities wanted to see.
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Or you could go to a state school, where as long as you show them your transcript and ACT score, you can register damn near the first week of classes 
A note on Continuing Education:
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Yes it is generally meant for older people who just want to learn something (e.g. a philosophy class or something). That said there is no age requirement.
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Entrance requirements are minimal to non-existent. The idea is you are just sitting in on the class. The university gets money. You aren’t pretending to be a student so all is well.
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Students get first dibs on class space. You can only enroll in classes that are not already filled…
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Usually you can take the class as graded or un-graded. If you just want to sit there and learn something fine. You can skip tests and course work if you want. However, in your case you absolutely want to go the graded route and do all the work.
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The university will definitely consider your performance in those classes when deciding whether to admit you.
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If you are admitted to that school, and you took it as a graded class, you will get full credit for taking them. If you are not admitted there and go somewhere else you may or may not be able to apply the credits/requirements to the next university. Different schools have different rules about transferring coursework (the idea being you do not get to do 3.5 years in Podunk College and then transfer to MIT and get a degree from MIT).
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If you do well in your Continuing Ed classes and are otherwise deemed a viable candidate for admission to that university (your high school work and SAT/ACT are sufficient) there is a good chance you could be enrolled as a full-blown student in the Spring semester. You will be a few classes behind (like two or so) of where you should be but you can make that up over a summer or take a heavy semester or two of classes to catch up. Wouldn’t be too hard. Definitely doable.
And if you study hard and don’t procrastinate, you’ll get the best educational bang for your buck.
Depends of course but overall I agree.
Some state schools are excellent, particularly in some specific areas of study (which differ from school to school).
These days I’d say having a 4-year degree from a reputable university (which I would put most or all state schools in) is the most important thing. If you are going for a professional degree (lawyer, doctor, engineer, etc.) which school you go to can make a big difference but other than that get your degree from the best university you can manage to get into or afford and you’ll be fine.
In my experience, you’ll run into problems with the high school no longer having your records before you’ll run into a problem with the college not accepting them.
And, yeah, State schools don’t tend to have problems. There might be a late registration fee, but that’s it. Heck, check your school to make sure you can’t just pay a fee–some non-state schools do that, too.
Transcripts are generally “good” forever. Now, it is my understanding that some schools may not accept classes taken a long time ago as specific curricular prerequisites (e.g. if it has been 40 years since you’ve taken a math class, they may insist that you retake Calculus 1 or at least take an exam in lieu). I was considering applying for a Masters program a while back that insisted that you have taken a Statistics course within the past ten years, or else you have to add a Statistics course to your course lineup. But, of course, the GPA is still valid and any degrees are still going to be honored.
And anyway, lots of people take an extended amount of time off between high school and undergrad, or between undergrad and grad school. Ever heard of people enlisting in the army after high school and then going to college after they get discharged?
Check with your prospective school’s Academic Advising department for a specific and accurate answer. You may not even need ACT/SAT scores, depending on their policies. Lots of schools require them if you’re fresh out of high school, but for “returning adult learners” or “nontraditional students” sometimes they don’t. Everyone has a different definitions of those, of course. A 25 year old is probably a returning adult learner, but a 19 year old may or may not be, depending on school policy.
Not at my university. I enrolled in a degree program through their continuing education department.
First rule of University. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and call. In this case, call the Admissions Office. Ask all of your questions. If you talk to the right person, you might even find a way to enroll for the Fall. Many, many problems in University, and of Life in general, can be solved by getting he right signature on the right piece of paper. But it starts with a phone call.
Hell, I went back to school 15 years after I graduated high school. They needed a transcript, so I called the high school and they were kept in the storage locker. The secretary (who still remembered me) went into the locker and busted her ass for about 3 hours to pull out the old paper copy which she faxed to me.
Not sure what this means.
Admittedly it has been a long time since I used Continuing Ed (it helped me circumvent some initial problems and I was admitted as a full student after one semester). Doubtless things may have changed since I did it and I suspect different schools may have different rules.
Seems you are suggesting admission for a degree via Continuing Ed. If so how is that different than just being a full-blown student in the first place?
My understanding is Continuing Ed is there for older people who want to sit in on a class without dorking with admissions and such. Makes sense but it can be exploited as described above (although in my case if you want that degree you needed to be formally admitted and meet all admission requirements…a degree via Continuing Ed alone, without formal admission, was not possible).