Just recently I’ve been getting REALLY nervous about my college choices. I guess I’ve always been the top of all of my classes and the prospect of having to seriously work to be the mid range is kind of scaring me. I always worked hard so I could have the personal satisfaction of knowing I had worked my hardest and this has always landed me at the top of my classes. As evident by my SAT/ACT scores, I’m not in the extremely intelligent level that some of you CCers are but I’ve always been able to use my drive, organization, and initiative to get what I’ve needed.
When I picked my schools I knew that I didn’t want to be with a bunch of underachievers but didn’t want to be with a bunch of brainaics either. I thought that by picking schools where my scores were about average, I would be able to work hard like I always have and be able to do well… now I’m seriously doubting this. I guess I need some reassurance that I haven’t over shot my chances and if I have I would like to know so I can do some quick rearranging.
Stats:
28 ACT
4.6 w GPA, 3.94 u/w
Relatively difficult course load, 7 APs, all possible honors courses, will have potentially 18-21 credits from a community college by graduation.
Lots of ECs including sports, all the honors societies, leadership in community service organizations, leadership in county and statewide student council positions, hold a part time job ~12 hrs/wk
Applying as a female in engineering
Schools I’ve applied to:
U Miami (FL)
U Maryland
U Delaware
U South Carolina
Northeastern
Syracuse
Lehigh
Lafayette
Smith
I think that Smith, Lehigh, Lafayette are reaches; Northeastern, Syracuse, UMiami, Delaware are matches; South Carolina, Maryland are safeties.
I’m not afraid of working hard but I’m afraid of getting in over my head. I am worried that I’m thinking that I’m going to do better then I really will.
<p>i don't know anything about the schools you're applying to. but all i have to say is..</p>
<p>I BELIEVE YOU CAN DO IT!</p>
<p>hope that helps a little :) listen to some soothing music for a couple of minutes and sip on something warm. that's always relaxing >:D ...besides, you're totally smarter than me.</p>
<p>Don't panic. I think you'll get in to most of the schools on your list and thats all that matters right? Some ppl don't get the concept that saftey and match school should be easier to get into, but also should be places you want to go to! Judging by your grades and classes, I think you have a good chance @ Lehigh, my friend is also applying there. Did you do ED to any? You should just relax, I'm working on my apps now, the only part i find difficult is the essay. I think people make way to much of this process, after 4 years of tough courses, some horrible tests (ACT & SAT), and lots of EC's, this should be easy. Just sit back and wait for the acceptances to come rolling in :)! Good Luck.</p>
<p>You joke about the soothing music and hot tea, but I swear I've been at the gym 3 times as much as usual because its the only time I can stop thinking about college/finals/life in general. </p>
<p>I never understood why 7 out of the top 10 kids in my class are on anti anxiety medication but now I'm starting to. </p>
<p>Yea, same I don't want to be stuck attending ne where. I do think it is stressful, especially when 80 % of your class is talking about it non-stop: Where are you applying? What are you majoring in? What's your SAT score/class rank/GPA?. I'm sick of it all lol.</p>
<p>anovice, no need to be nervous. You're in good shape. Depending on where you're located and other particulars that you haven't shared with us, I think you're in just about everywhere.</p>
<p>See at my school, kids don't really talk about college apps and such but when they do its always like: "So, how are your apps coming?"... "Oh, I've gotten into blah, blah, blah, blah.... already and I've gotten scholarships here, here, here and here." </p>
<p>Most of my friends are applying to schools way below their stats so they're definitely in and most with scholarships. I just can't stand it!</p>
<p>Plus, the holidays are coming and that means more confusion.</p>
<p>So, the moral of the story, forget about apps once they're in the mail box and don't remember them until April.</p>
<p>I know you're kind and I truly feel sorry for y'all....relax....what happens happens..just do your best. Worrying won't improve your chances anywhere.</p>
<p>Anovice: I see that you have decided on going for engineering despite negative opinions of some others you mentioned a while back. I see also that (at least for now) you've decided on straight engineering rather than engineering/management or /business. So congratulations for settling that in your mind. </p>
<p>Right now you should not be worrying about whether you're biting off too much in college. Put your emphasis on keeping up your fine high school record. All the colleges to which you're applying will want to see your grades for this semester (and next, as well) to ensure that you're not falling to the dread senioritis disease.</p>
<p>When you get to college, you'll find quickly enough that what will be required of you will be different than in high school. Once you get past the basic engineering courses your professors will be looking for people who not only are able to do basic or routine engineering problems satisfactorily but who can show some spark of innovativeness. At that point, high school performance doesn't necessarily coincide with good grades and the person who's able to get top high school grades by memorizing but not necessarily working hard to understand the concepts might not shine as much as before. Might, in fact, be highly surprised.</p>
<p>Anyway, your list of schools includes some very good ones, in general, and for you, I hope. Meanwhile, don't panic but save your energy for thinking about which of the schools you might like to go to, if accepted (looks to me that you surely will get multiple acceptances). They're rather different in size and location.</p>
<p>See you in April (figuratively, of course).</p>
<p>Am I the only one that likes interviews? I had my fourth today and it really is assuring that the admissions officers are human. </p>
<p>As for me and engineering, most of the schools that I'm seriously looking at have a fairly liberal curriculum. Like most suggested, I called(and visited) the admission offices of some of these schools and talked extensively about my plans and how their majors would fit my needs. Most said that they could create a modified major or had existing flexible majors which would allow me some freedom with the non technical courses that I would like to take. </p>
<p>As for my grades, I got straight A's the first semester and am hoping on extending the trend through second quarter and the first semester. </p>
<p>Good luck to all and hope we are all happy in April.</p>