<p>^^ yeah... I'm Chinese... and most Chinese people DEFINITELY do not think that way.</p>
<p>um, you're mad if you're studying to retake that 780 in chem. spend your time on something more productive, 20 points is not going to make that big of a difference, esp with that score ;)</p>
<p>you're a speedcuber? Blah, my skills aren't quite there yet. I need to find a faster algorithm.</p>
<p>[don't retake for the 780]</p>
<p>If daddy's money will buy it (i.e. going to China to study, SCUBA certification, etc) then it's not going to be considered that much of an accomplishment. Same thing for attending Harvard SSP or other paid summer programs. If it's an invitation only academic program and well respected, that's a different story. Rubic's cube is a skill, but not highly valued. It's a novelty like writing with your toes. </p>
<p>Work on your leadership positions. Do something for society. Don't retake a 780.</p>
<p>If you had a lot of EC's or awards with your Rubik's Cube skill, I think that would definitely be interesting.</p>
<p>Flippy is completely wrong about the match thing- I know people have already discussed it, but I can't help myself. Do a little research and read some of the chances threads of people who actually got in. Pleonasm is on the right track I'd say, but don't expect the admissions officers to call up Shirley Tilgman and say, "You won't believe the application we just got."</p>
<p>Pleonasm- what's your rubiks time and how long did it take you to learn? I can solve the cube but I'm happy if its in under 2.5 minutes.</p>
<p>good point bandit_TX, I try to avoid those camps.</p>
<p>I guess the reason I thought the Rubik's Cube might be impressive is because I hold an international ranking. That (could?) demonstrate commitment to activities, enough to pursue it to an international level.</p>
<p>Weasel8488, my fastest unofficial time is 15.99 seconds. my fastest unofficial average is 25.697 seconds.<br>
My fastest official time(achieved in a competition) is 23.73 seconds, and my fastest official average is 28.08 seconds.
I am currently learning how to solve the cube blindfolded. As of now, there are only 30 people in the world who can officially solve the cube blindfolded.</p>
<p>I guess I didn't know what I was doign when I said that Shaolin martial arts is valued so highly in China. I kindof copy and pasted that from the site. haha. But anyways, the training is ridiculous....</p>
<p>Also, do you guys really think I shouldn't retake a 780? I think I have a good chance of improving that score....since I had to self-learn most of the material, and now we are FINALLY getting to it in my AP chem class...so I should be a lot more prepared come May or June, when I plan to retake chem and mathIIC, possibly physics. My physics class is reaaally slow....and I don't feel so excited about self-teaching myself a whole bunch of physics.</p>
<p>I think my biggest concern at this point (other than SATs) is my potential school transfer...</p>
<p>compare my current Junior schedule to my projected senior schedule...
junior
APUS II
H french IV
H LA III
H precalc
H physics
AP chem </p>
<p>senior
AP physics AB
AP physics BC
AP calc BC
AP com sci B
AP english lit
AP eco
AP world/european history</p>
<p>there will be some course skipping. For example, I won't be taking APcalcAB at all.....and I will be taking AP physics BC at the same time as AP physics AB. And I also skip AP com sci A. Do you guys who have already taken these courses think that I would be overburdening myself? Would colleges view such a huge leap in course-difficulty-selection positively? (I expect my grades may suffer....so I have to weigh my options here....) Thanks for any feedback!</p>
<p>bump bump bump</p>
<p>bumpy bumpy</p>
<p>about the class ranking - most private schools don't give class rankings anymore, I believe</p>
<p>any more feedback i can squeeze out of you people =]</p>
<p>regarding your projected classes for next year, i've taken/am taking all your projected classes except for comp sci so i think that for the most part the classes aren't too bad. you'll be fine in physics (although, what's the difference between physics AB & BC? do you mean physics B & C?). english is fine, econ is easy, euro should be fine unless you have an extremely picky teacher who assigns too much homework like mine. HOWEVER, i'm not sure about skipping calc AB. a few of my friends have done it, some have been able to pull off all As, some have transferred out within the first few weeks.</p>
<p>If you're doing well in Honors Pre-calculus, you might as well take BC Calculus.</p>
<p>that wushu thing would make one amazing essay.</p>
<p>too bad that it sounds like youll drop out within a week unless you actually want it.</p>
<p>thanks for the comments everyone!</p>
<p>I guess I could just drop out of any class that I can't handle, but I am doing pretty well in pre-calc, so I guess BC won't be terribly difficult?</p>
<p>On another note, I might be moving to another school......but one of my friends pointed out something really important, and I was just wondering if anybody agreed with this?<br>
My teachers(and guidance counselor) at my new school won't know me well enough to write a good recommendation.....but my teachers at my old school won't have any "personal glory" for sending me to a prestigious school, so they won't put as much effort into my rec letters.....that could be bad.....or am I just being paranoid?</p>
<p>Any good teacher should be happy to write you a rec if you approach them personally.</p>
<p>any more comments? =]</p>
<p>dont reatke the 780....20 points isnt worth it, it'll look ridiculous to retake for just 20 pts.</p>