Let's Talk About College

[aelf]

Man, the American university system is really a huge hassle. Applying to UK unis, I only had to use UCAS, which allowed you to apply to max 6 unis without paying additional fees. It was cheap and I only needed good grades and one shiny personal statement that was sent to all. Did I mention that the process was mostly done online?

Makes me glad I didn't bother with the US (though I tried for grad school). I saved 2 years too. That said, UK unis are taking a rather large beating now in terms of funding, so it's probably good that I went before that.

 

[Hygro]

Not a chance. I'm firm in my Christianity and that's that

Now: More talk about education please!

So, question to throw out, what's more important? SAT/ACT scores, or overall grades?

If you can get a solid dynamite score in the SAT, and I suspect you can if you practice, that will be more important. As Downtown pointed out, it puts in you in a strong position applying to schools around the country. The SAT will get you the most bang for your buck. The amount of time you will put into it vs the doors it will open makes it really key.

Dwaxe has good advice. Also if you can get your grades up, you can show improvement, and you can write about that.

Also, if you are capping out at trig, no big deal. I don't know what trig is in your state, hopefully that is on par or above algebra II in Cali. If that's the case you'll be fine. Just focus on other things. Make sure you take all the AP tests you can get your paws on that you will do well (all the history/government ones... econ if you can take the AP course for it--I wouldn't just dive in like you can with history and gov't).

 

[JollyRoger]

I echo the importance of standardized tests, whether it is the SAT or LSAT for when you are trying to get into law school. While I was making up for 4 years of bad grades in 4 hours, others were blowing the hard work put into getting 4 years worth of good grades in only 4 hours.

 

[dwaxe]

Man, the American university system is really a huge hassle. Applying to UK unis, I only had to use UCAS, which allowed you to apply to max 6 unis without paying additional fees. It was cheap and I only needed good grades and one shiny personal statement that was sent to all. Did I mention that the process was mostly done online?

Makes me glad I didn't bother with the US (though I tried for grad school). I saved 2 years too. That said, UK unis are taking a rather large beating now in terms of funding, so it's probably good that I went before that.

Today, the process here in the US is also done almost completely online. We don't have very many free University Applications though, so you're ahead of us there.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

Wait what? Why would they do this?

Probably for about the same reason as an insurance company would refuse to pay for a doctor's appointment that you miss without cancelling it in time for the doctor not to charge you anyway.


I suppose that you might be able to avoid the fee if you tell them in advance that you will not be taking the exam, but they place their orders for the tests months ahead of time without consulting the students first. If you cancel after they have placed their order, then the fee they were already charged would go to waste.

 

[GhostWriter16]

If you can get a solid dynamite score in the SAT, and I suspect you can if you practice, that will be more important. As Downtown pointed out, it puts in you in a strong position applying to schools around the country. The SAT will get you the most bang for your buck. The amount of time you will put into it vs the doors it will open makes it really key.

I'll do the practice necessary within any semblance of reason (Practicing on Sundays won't happen for a variety of reasons) and I am indeed a better test-taker than my grades show. Also, if the PSAT is any indication, the Math on the SAT will be more common-sense based than ridiculously difficult Algebra II and upwards problems where you need to know a crapload of formulas.

Dwaxe has good advice. Also if you can get your grades up, you can show improvement, and you can write about that.

Thanks

Also, if you are capping out at trig, no big deal. I don't know what trig is in your state, hopefully that is on par or above algebra II in Cali. If that's the case you'll be fine. Just focus on other things. Make sure you take all the AP tests you can get your paws on that you will do well (all the history/government ones... econ if you can take the AP course for it--I wouldn't just dive in like you can with history and gov't).

Probably. Its technically called Algebra II/Trig anyways, just everyone calls it trig informally.

Economics is a SUPA class in my school (Syracuse University) NOT AP, which means almost any college (Possibly any) will accept it, and there's no AP exam. However, it is more expensive (I think 330 dollars for the semester) than an AP class. I'd still like to take it if possible though.

Just wondering, but as Trig A and Trig B are each a math credit individually (I know that's kinda unfair to students who do it in one year, but that's how it is) how important is finishing Trig?

 

[Zack]

Also, if the PSAT is any indication, the Math on the SAT will be more common-sense based than ridiculously difficult Algebra II and upwards problems where you need to know a crapload of formulas.

What "crapload of formulas" do you need to know for Algebra II? And it's not really that difficult, a ton of people at my school take it as a sophomore (and a select few even as a freshman, but those are the math geniuses)...

It's pretty basic math.

Economics is a SUPA class in my school (Syracuse University) NOT AP, which means almost any college (Possibly any) will accept it, and there's no AP exam. However, it is more expensive (I think 330 dollars for the semester) than an AP class. I'd still like to take it if possible though.

Do you mean there isn't an AP course for economics at your school? IIRC there are AP exams for Macroeconomics and Microeconomics; you should look into that after completing the "SUPA" economics course.

 

[GhostWriter16]

What "crapload of formulas" do you need to know for Algebra II? And it's not really that difficult, a ton of people at my school take it as a sophomore (and a select few even as a freshman, but those are the math geniuses)...

It's pretty basic math.

There are varying degrees of how smart different people are at math. I'm a weak math student beyond what I can figure out in my head.

Do you mean there isn't an AP course for economics at your school? IIRC there are AP exams for Macroeconomics and Microeconomics; you should look into that after completing the "SUPA" economics course.

Not AFAIK, but as Economics is actually a College course offered by a college, its superior to an AP class (Which isn't "Officially" recognized as a college class and so schools are free to reject it.)

 

[Hygro]

Yeah, the SAT is barely outside of middle school for the math. But it's not common sense. It's all very precisely logical, especially the questions at the end of each section which try to catch you on subtle nuance. One of the biggest mistakes people make in the reading section is to use their outside knowledge to make assumptions, when the answers are deliberately contained within the text and sometimes contradict real world knowledge. If you have good logical intuition, use that, but if you are going to feel your way through, that's not going to help.

Edit: there is AP economics. It is official and from the College Board.

 

[GhostWriter16]

Yeah, the SAT is barely outside of middle school for the math. But it's not common sense. It's all very precisely logical, especially the questions at the end of each section which try to catch you on subtle nuance. One of the biggest mistakes people make in the reading section is to use their outside knowledge to make assumptions, when the answers are deliberately contained within the text and sometimes contradict real world knowledge. If you have good logical intuition, use that, but if you are going to feel your way through, that's not going to help.

Yes, I'm good at logic

Edit: there is AP economics. It is official and from the College Board.

I don't think they have it IN MY SCHOOL.

They probably have it other places.

 

[Hygro]

You can take AP tests regardless of which classes are offered at your school. That is a good way to show your abilities. Econ might be a little difficult without a teacher but again, take both the history APs if you can.

 

[GhostWriter16]

So, could I take the AP-World exam if I didn't actually take the class? And how would I go about doing that? Just ask a guidance counselor???

 

[JollyRoger]

Personally, while taking AP level courrsework is nice and doing well on the exams may help you in admission, I'm not so sure I would want to bypass all those college courses by APing out of them. Enjoy college and don't rush through it. Also, if you are wanting to go to law school, you want to build a solid GPA. Those freshman and sophomore courses that AP lets you bypass is a good way to get a fast start on your GPA. I APed out of the first semester of Engish, but ended up taking it the summer before my senior year of college because they were struggling to properly reflect the AP credit on my record. Plus, you may find yourself the smartest person in your class in those courses, not a bad way to build a study group of acceptably attractive classmates.

 

[Integral]

So, could I take the AP-World exam if I didn't actually take the class? And how would I go about doing that? Just ask a guidance counselor???

Yes.

I took the AP Econ exams in high school and they were not officially offered at my school. I just signed up, got the test booklets delivered to my school and sat the exam at the designated time.

Ask your guidance counselor or the school AP coordinator.

 

[GhostWriter16]

Personally, while taking AP level tests is nice and doing well on the exams may help you in admission, I'm not so sure I would want to bypass all those college courses by APing out of them. Enjoy college and don't rush through it. Also, if you are wanting to go to law school, you want to build a solid GPA. THose freshman and sophomore courses that AP lets you bypass is a good way to get a fast start on your GPA.

Fair enough, but I'm just curious what my options are.

 

[JollyRoger]

When you write your personal statement, you should have someone else read it to make sure that it isn't too over-the-top.

 

[Hygro]

...or too demure. Either way, there are ways to make it very grand without making it grandiose. Definitely get someone to help you edit.

 

[Syterion]

Personally, while taking AP level courrsework is nice and doing well on the exams may help you in admission, I'm not so sure I would want to bypass all those college courses by APing out of them. Enjoy college and don't rush through it. Also, if you are wanting to go to law school, you want to build a solid GPA. Those freshman and sophomore courses that AP lets you bypass is a good way to get a fast start on your GPA. I APed out of the first semester of Engish, but ended up taking it the summer before my senior year of college because they were struggling to properly reflect the AP credit on my record. Plus, you may find yourself the smartest person in your class in those courses, not a bad way to build a study group of acceptably attractive classmates.

I disagree. Those early classes are weed out classes, they can destroy your GPA (note: probably totally dependent on where you go to school if this is true). And taking those AP credits means you can move on quicker and take more interesting electives, as well as having more time to make sure you graduate on time (a lot of people forget a requirement or two and have to pay for an extra semester). You are the one who decides if you graduate early.

Taking AP classes that your school doesn't offer can help to an extent. Of course, going to a school that offers a lot of AP classes is already an advantage, since it ranks your high school higher and makes the college more likely to assume you can handle the work.

...or too demure. Either way, there are ways to make it very grand without making it grandiose. Definitely get someone to help you edit.

Post it here! Impartial feedback from people who don't know you is the truest criticism you will find. Especially from older, recently in college posters. I did it. Link here:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=189336

 

[Gooblah]

Note that colleges ask the school for a copy of their course catalog if they don't have one on file already, and compare your transcript against that - even if your school doesn't offer a ton of Honors/APs, taking the few they do offer helps you stand out, since you're maximizing what your school has to offer.

Also, taking community college/university courses in high school certainly helps, but a) not nearly as much as one might imagine, and b) it certainly doesn't hurt if you haven't.

Focus on taking advanced courses in all subject areas offered (demonstrates intellectual breadth, curiosity, and flexibility) and doing well in them.

 

[downtown]

I know this isn't what counselors typically recommend, but I wrote a very funny personal statement...and I know for a fact it got me into at least one school above my GPA. If you're a funny person, write a funny statement. If you're a serious person, write a serious one.