Good college???????????

Define good college.

Realistically speaking, because you're already a junior, and you generally apply to college at the start of senior year, you don't have much time to bring up your grades. Of course, still work hard in your classes.

If you do very well on your SATs, it might help you, sure. Or if you write great essays for your applications and have good teacher recommendations, it can help too.

I doubt you wouldn't be able to get into a decent college if all goes well in the next term/year.

But I also wanted to say that, on the chance that stuff doesn't work out, community college isn't the worst thing. Depending on where you are, some community colleges have good programs.

Since the first year at college is mostly about getting through some required general courses in math, science, english, it's mostly the same wherever you go. But it's definitely cheaper at a CC. I've known people to do a year or two at a CC (do some extracurriculars or get a job, and keep up good grades) and transfer into a 4 year university. And they're doing great. And mind you, these are kids at a top-tier engineering university now.

If you end up at a CC because of a calculated decision, rather than as a last resort, it's not so bad, I think. (At least, it wouldn't feel as upsetting?)

In any case, I'd have a talk (or several) with the parents and a counselor about it.

If your parents would be disappointed when you attend community college, then they are completely ignorant about how colleges have changed over the last 20 years. There are many highly qualified students who have been admitted to prestigious universities but have chosen to go to community college instead for various good reasons, particularly because of the savings in expenses. It's an obsolete notion that the only students who attend community college are those who can't get into prestigious universities.

There are very few merit-based scholarships and only a tiny percentage of students get them. Many students who have very high GPAs and test scores, and rank very high in their class at graduation, do not get enough money in scholarships to attend costly schools. If a great student has a family that can't afford the $35,000-$60,000/year, does that mean that going to community college is shameful? No. Ignorant parents and friends who hold outdated and elitist views are shameful.

I went to community college. I transferred with the maximum number of units. I also ended up graduating at the top of my university class with highest honors. Did they do that? They have no right to demand higher expectations of others when they haven't done it themselves.

If they went to college, find out when and where. Ask them for THEIR transcripts. See how they cringe when they don't provide them. Transcripts aren't expensive. Often you can find the old college catalogs online or other references to find out how much their tuition, fees, and expenses cost them. They are remembering a past that doesn't exist anymore. College expenses have far outpaced inflation for the last 20 years.

Seriously I was where you are last year my gpa was about a 2.7 at the end of my sophomore year and I got straight As my whole junior year and now my gpa is a 3.2 so just work hard. Try looking for colleges that are somewhat selective like some state universities. Do good in your SATs though , I did and its opening doors for me.