Chance me? heavily stressed out, please help.

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Central Florida
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<p>Alright, let's attempt to make this short (I have a history for dragging things on, I apologize in advance). I am a female, junior in high school, and getting ready for the oh so wonderful experiance of choosing colleges. But you see, it was made easy for me. I currently live in illinois (Around chicago area) but was originally born in sarasota, florida. While there, my parents signed my sister, twin brother and I up for 'florida pre-paid college program'. Basically, after conformiation, I can attend any public florida college, and tuition is covered. Atomatically, my first choice was Florida State University. I'm looking to get a master's in clinical psychology. Funny aspect? my twin brother ALSO wishes to attend there. After some recent, er, 'drawbacks' odds of getting in, for me at least, is very slim. Recently, I have gained interest In Univiersity of central florida, and find I like it even MORE then FSU! So, here the run down of my high school situation:
Freshmen year: I didn't do very well, I will be honest. GPA: I'm unsure of.
Sophmore year: Did much better, but towards the end of the year was trying to keep my grades up (Delt with a death of a close family friend, and put my dog down around the same month)
Junior year: I'm maintaing anywhere from a 3.4 GPA to a 3.6 right now. I am in Advanced Placement Junior english.
Senior year: I am enrolled for three more AP classes (AP enviormental science, AP senior english, and AP psychology)
So, I have a total of four AP classes throughout high school. I can usually maintain within a B average. Have not taken ACT, but am estimating about a 24 (I know, not the best, but I've been studying very hard for the math portion, which is the one that will kill me.) I have a job (Have sense freshmen year) have been playing violin for about nine years now, and have a TON of community service hours. I also won 'author of the month' last year for my school, and plan on writing a very good essay (In the process of it now). So, basically, do I even stand a chance? I know that any college probably doesn't look too positivly at out-of-state students, but do you think that if the admission see's that a twin brother and sister, from out of state wish to go to their school, it will be a positive effect? Please help.
Also, side note. I don't know if this will count on anything, but it's something I'm proud of. I have completed a full novel, would that be something to say on my addmission essay? And also, I have competed in many solo ensembles for violin, and have never ranked less then a division II (Excellent) and often rank division I (superior, as high as it comes.) </p>

<p>UPDATE: I JUST took the ACT's, and pretty much balled my eyes out. I got a 20 composition. On the two subjects that I'm very strong at, I didn't even hit high 20's on them. Most of my teachers (especially my AP english teacher) were very surprised. I'm taking it again on june 11th, trying to increase it as much as I can. I've bought a prep book, which I've already read through, and plan to take all three of the practice ACT tests in it. But, if I can't get my score up over 20, what are my chances? I'm a poor test taker, but I do NOT want to use that as an excuss, especially if I try my hardest. If the score remains 20, is my chances of gaining and FSU acceptence crushed? Please help, I'm in desperate need of some kind of knowledge. Thank you! I think I can try and get it up to, at least, a 24. Likely, though, probably a 23. Please help. I've worked SO HARD throughtout high school, and I hate the fact that my ACT test score is a 'red flag' to colleges, when in reality, the school i attend is looking to sue ACT (Numorous reasons, teachers getting involved, not a very good situation right now.)</p>

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<p>Have you tried the SAT? And what term are you applying for? BTW I’m also born in Sarasota ;)</p>

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<p>Wow so i just wrote you this HUGE long personlized post and I lost it so I will write it again soon :frowning: but here’s another answer I posted to a person in a similar situation until I get around to it (by the way I’m the girl twin in a boy/girl set too :smiley: ) :</p>

<p>Ok you need to do some INTESE studying now, ALL of the summer, and all the way up until you retake the test. Regardless of how smart or dumb you think you are, you can raise that score by studying. You will feel horrible if you don’t study and you don’t bring it up at all over very much, or if you do study some and come up short. That’s what happened to me. I came up short (for a couple schools, I was soo close) and it really got to me. You also have to remember that a lot of schools have minimum test score composite and section requirements so make sure you are aware of those also. For example, some schools want a minimum of a say 21 ACT with an 18 in each section or an 18 in E, 19 in M, 18 in W etc. etc. If you haven’t taken the SAT take that as well to see how you do, and study for that also (Don’t just focus on one test if you haven ‘t tried the other, I did that with the SAT. Really wish I had taken the ACT sooner). If you have taken the SAT and you did worse then I’d focus on the ACT.
Make sure you know about all of the college application deadlines , the earliest you can/should apply (because the earlier you apply , the better chance you have to get into some schools that may defer you for your test scores which gives you more time to bring them up). All of the studying and applications and everything at once will be extremely stressful but trust me it is so much better than not getting into any of the colleges of your choice and it’s even worse when you have friends that get into the schools you’re dying to get into. If you’re really motivated you CAN bring up your score, get into good schools and enjoy your senior year (well at least the second semester). GOOD LUCK!
** Ohh and you don’t need an expensive tutor or anything. There are A LOT of free online resources for you to utilize. Even youtube has good prep. Mathontime.com’s video program is pretty basic, but it really helped me pace myself on the math section, and was a reminder of all the basic things I’d forgotten. I’d also skip around on the math section. Don’t just do it from the first question to the last. Skip around and do problems you know/like, but MAKE SURE you bubble correctly. When I tried this method, I literally skipped around and found easy questions within problems like the mean/ median/ mode of the given problem/situation. I also used Princeton’s ACT book, forgot what it is called. For the science I just practiced it a little and went through a guided science review thing with this youtube video. If you’d like I’ll post the link when I get home, I’m at school right now. It did a really good job of breaking it down and making me understand how to approach the section. And I understand, by the time science comes around you’re pooped and it looks like it’s in another language lol.
Really hope this helps, I’m just really compassionate/empathetic towards your situation because I went through a similar situation this year and it really got me depressed so keep your head up and stay motivated</p>

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<p>Sarasota! I miss it SO much, you have no idea. Illinois is cool…you know, if you’re into snow, blizzards, getting mugged in chicago. Pretty entertaining;) And I considered SAT’s, yes, but I don’t think I’ll do well on it. I asked my AP english teacher (He’s a test MADMAN) and he thinks I’ll have a better shot on the ACT…which, clearly, I can’t even manage a good score on this. Also, I’m not very sure yet. I will be applying over the summer, and I’ll take whatever term they offer me. But it can get a bit tricky. If my brother was accepted for fall, and I summer, my parents would have to drive me down, drive back up, and THEN drive my brother down, and drive back up. And the drive (I can tell you, from visiting FSU) Is BRUTUAL!.</p>

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<p>Thank you for the very long answer! I love long answers, especially as detailed as this one. In no way would I ever expect you to be empathetic towards me, you can use that on someone who deserves it more. I bought the ACT prep book, and took the english portion, timed, of course. When I took the real ACT, I only got a 20 on the english, and I was SHOCKED. It’s one of my strongest subjects, and a favorite, to be honest. I took my english ACT pre test, and managed a 25. I realized the questions I got wrong were stupid little slip ups, like not reading further into the paragraph, past/present tense, etc. I’ll make sure to trust my gut, too, because it’s usually right. I took the reading, and I did horrible! On my real ACT, I managed a 25 on the reading, but when I took this pre-test, I accidentially thought I had more time then I did. I was coming to the first question of the last passage, and my time was up. Still, I didn’t have anyone writing ‘five more minutes’ on the board, so I forgot to pass myself. Let me tell you, I am DREADING the math portion. Math is, by far, my worst subject. My freshmen and sophmore year, I had horrid teachers (one couldn’t even speak correct english!) So it was tough to learn anything, but I’ll take you advice. Hopefully youtube can help me out. Science, I got a 19 on the real thing, but I’d like mid 20’s. It’s graph reading, which comes easier to me in math. Otherwise, if I study, and only manage a 22-23, do I still stand a chance, based on other important factors from above, that I’ve mentioned? Thanks again for the answer! Also, do you know where I could find their topic for the admissions essay? I’d love to get started on that, I love writing, so I’m crossing my fingers they read it, and don’t judge my strickly on my ACT alone.</p>

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<p>I know you said the ACT Prepbook helped you, but if you’re considering paying money for anymore study materials, the Princeton review was VERY helpful for me. I had taken the SAT and got 1560 cumulative. I hated it and decided I would try the ACT. So before the test I bought the Princeton Review ACT Book and studied my butt off for it. Took the ACT my first time and received a 27, second time I got the 28 I wanted (and needed for bright futures, 31 English, 30 Reading! Made me so happy since those are my favorite subjects!!) It really helps you on grammar rules you may have forgotten, ect…
Sarasota is great, but I’m happy to take a break to Orlando, but I’ll probably miss the beach.
I would just apply early whenever their apps open up, and apply for their fall term. If they don’t think you’re up to par, they’ll defer you to summer anyways.
I can only imagine, the 6 hours drive from here to FSU made me want to kill myself. -.-
If you’re having trouble managing your time they have practice tests which you should probably time yourself on. I literally guessed on about the last 8-10 questions on the math portion (hate math!!) because I was running out of time, and I still managed a 25 the second time (23 the first! :/). Just seriously study your butt off and you’ll get there. Unfortunately they do rely a lot on GPA and test scores.</p>

<p>EDIT: <a href=“The Princeton Review | Bookstore | <!-- ###REPLACE###.title.safe -->”>The Princeton Review | Bookstore | <!-- ###REPLACE###.title.safe -->;
Link to the book if you want to check it out…</p>

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<p>Thank you very much! I really appriciate you taking the time out of your day to help me out. Math will be the death of me, like I said. I’ll try on that one, but it will be my worst. To be honest, I’d be very very happy with a 24. When it comes to these tests, I’m just awful at them.</p>

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<p>Yeah you should try mathontime.com. And I know that doing Summer term may be hard for you and your family but TRUST ME APPLY FOR SUMMER ! Do not make the same mistake I did. It could make the difference between being accepted or not. Talk to your parents and let them know that and if they think it’d be worth it.</p>

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<p>Mayday, the only reason I still check this forum is to see your status XD</p>

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<p>Would there be a chance where I could apply for both, or maybe even just fall? I know for some schools, if you apply to fall, and they want to take you during summer instead, they’ll offer you that option. If I applied for fall, and they would only let me in summer, would they give me the option of summer, or just reject me sense I didn’t request it? Also, what’s the difference between summer and fall term? Like when do I start/get out, earlier then those who are in fall? I’d really love to enjoy my last summer up here with my friends, seeing as florida may be a possibility right now.</p>

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<p>They say they “consider you for both” but I think that I had the stats to get in for summer at least ( I applied for Fall) and I was waitlisted so it’s a slippery slope. And Summer B starts June 27th and ends like early August. Fall starts like August 18 or 20th or something and ends around christmas time</p>

<p>@ Ari, hahaha you’re awesome (: But whyy when you already know the result? lol they are just dragginggggg it out :/</p>

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<p>XD Because I don’t knowwww XD I figure if you go, then I can force you to hang out with mee. I’m getting my own apt. down there when I go to Valencia, and being all alone in a new city is terrifying :D</p>

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<p>Oh, wow…that would be so dissapointing for me. So I would literally go here in june, right after I finished high schoo, basically, with no summer break, and then they wouldn’t even let me go to college in fall, like everyone else?:confused: I mean, I guess for being in state, it would be SO bad…but sense I’m out of state, it would be the last chance, or break, to spend time with my family, and friends…</p>

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<p>@ write, You’d continue on into Fall term lol. You just start summer term.</p>

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<p>Plus, doesn’t Florida schools require you to have nine or so hours of summer classes, credits? Isn’t this like killing two birds, one stone? I go there, adapt to the campus (Get there before the rush, possibly giving me first dibs on available campus jobs) start my credits up, get my hours done, so I don’t have to worry, and end up having to only take 4 or so classes in fall? This is actually sounding more appealing…if only I could convince my parents lol.</p>

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<p>No one told me this when I was accepted for summer term. But, there are soooooooo many online courses that you could take over the summer. Just take two pure elective courses for your gen ed requirements at home, if its better for you. You gotta be on top of things and register for those classes as soon as they are available though, because spots run out pretty quick. My advice would be to take Psychology with Mcconnell or Anthropology with Geiger if you need those classes for ged ed reqs or for your major. Two of the easiest courses I’ve taken or am taking at UCF. You can send me a message again next year and I can help you out with your schedule, haha.</p>

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<p>THank you so much! I actually MAY need those for my major, considering I’m looking to get my Ph.D in psychology. Plus, I’m taking AP psychology next year, for senior year, so I pay know a decent amount of the things we’re taught:) My only problem with online, is that it may slip my mind, or my computer may crash, or any other thing that could possibkly happen WOULD happen (with my luck, it’s a high percentage.) I’m actually interested in summer now! Just one question. If I apply for fall, and don’t make it in, will they give me the summer option? Or do I NEED to apply specificially for summer, in order to have that option. I’m think automatically to apply for summer, because I just do NOT have the ACT score for fall.</p>

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<p>Well, I don’t know if it’s true for everyone apparently, but a girl I know applied for fall, and they almost immediately deferred her for summer term. Basically saying that she didn’t have high enough scores for fall but she is welcome to go to summer first then fall (if she didn’t accept that offer she wouldn’t get into UCF). That’s also what they told us whenever we went to open house, ect. Even if you apply for fall, you will be considered for summer.
But if you really want summer, you might as well just apply for summer.</p>

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<p>Thanks:) I REALLY want summer. I figure I can warm up to the campus (Being out of state), meet people, select what bed I want in my dorm room (Sorry roomie, first come, first serve!) Get two classes out of the way, get my credits rolling, and maybe, MAYBE, if I’m lucky, find what jobs options there are, and go for it before the rush of fall students come in. I’d have to quit my job here, of course…which I’d really miss. I love everyone here, but we all have to move on eventually. Frankly, I’m tired of the snow, and the people around here. I need a fresh, new wave of students:)</p>

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<p>lolz like I said they say they “consider you for summer” but there are only a certain amount of spots for summer so they obviously can’t consider everyone for summer. I really do think that if I applied for summer I would have had a way better chance .</p>