for JUNIORS who are ready to get onto THE PERILOUS ROAD

<p>APUSH is really not that hard if you study and do the work. Do not count on teachers giving you the four of the five on the AP test, though.</p>

<p>I think that we juniors better start preparing the EC area of our portfolios, since that portion would weigh much more in the eyes of very selective colleges. </p>

<p>Besides, it's great experience diving in to learn about the society and people around us.</p>

<p>What do you all think of this idea?</p>

<p>Personally, I think that if one of us is shooting for HYPSM, it's already late to bein working on the recs. . .I mean, you want leadership positions, and the only way you can get them is through long term commitment, which means 3+ years.
Furthermore, who's thinking about summer program next year?
I have been thinking about JSA, SSP and RSI. My parents think that I shouldn't go into politics, so I probably won't go to JSA. But I am hoping to get into Harvard's Summper school program or RSI (Research science intitute). . .do you guys have any summer ideas?</p>

<p>Well, yeah, preparations for ECs have to start early. I started volunteering and servicing my community since 9th grade, and I just have gone to one of the JSA Summer Programs at Princeton this summer. I'm also really really really into politics, and I'm thinking that maybe that'll be my focus area. I work at a policing centre and I'm also a member of the army reserves working part time. I tried 3 times for student gov't election but lost consecutively, but I'm going to keep trying until I get it. So, my EC part should be quite full, but it still needs some more polishing and sophistication in order to catch some adcom's attention.</p>

<p>Hey I'm a junior too :) . I absolutely LOVE Cornell and still do even after visiting other schools like BC, Tufts, Yale, Harvard, Colgate, etc. Hopefully I will be applying ED in 2006. It's still early for us and we have to remember that junior year is more than just prepping for the SAT's and loading our schedules with AP and honors classes. We have to live a little too lol. I am very anxious for the PSAT's in October (aiming for National merit after getting a 202 index sophomore year). I'm also taking AP Latin, AP US History, AP Lang and Comp, and AP Chemistry (along with a busload of honors). Should be....fun?? : /</p>

<p>DON'T WORRY, GUYS! JUST TAKE AS MANY HONORS AND AP COURSES AS POSSIBLE! They won't hold what your school offers against you, as long as there isn't like a mega-high school that has 1000 ap courses and honors courses within your town/city...</p>

<p>fewfdsagdsag - if you're still wondering, each AP exam is equally considered for AP awards. Before, half credit exams like Calc AB and Comp Sci AB only counted for half an AP credit, but now they're all the same.</p>

<p>For next summer - I'm definitely applying to NJ Governor's School for the Environment (not too competitive) and RSI - maybe even NASA SHARP. I think I'd be obliged to attend Governor's School if I get in, but I'd like to apply to other programs anyway, just to know whether I'd be good enough :P.</p>

<p>Hehe, I already have leadershp in 4 of my 5 main clubs. I <3 my EC's. I have a job 7-14 hours/week, and 325+ hours of community service. I'm going to join French National Honors Society and I'm hoping to get inducted into NHS later this year - they're both only open to juniors and seniors, and you can only get in in the spring.</p>

<p>I was thinking of Science Club and Math Team just for the competitions. I wouldn't list them as main EC's, but I would list the competitions as awards if I won anything. I regret not doing the AMC 10 last year, because now we have to take the AMC 12 :P. Did anyone else take the AMC 10 last year? A friend of mine qualified for AIME freshman year but not sophomore year. Great improvement, eh?</p>

<p>I tried getting into research with someone at the Princeton Environmental Institute about a month ago, but my contact hasn't come back with any news yet. Goodbye, chance at RSI...</p>

<p>What if your school doesn't offer any AP course? What can I do?</p>

<p>Also, should I drop out from music in my junior year (I've been taking strings orchestra for more than 3 years already)</p>

<p>theono, I was planning on taking the AMC 10 last year, but then one of my stupid friends were like: "why are you taking the AMC 10 in tenth grade? take the AMC 12 - it's more of a challenge. . ."
and so I stupidly listened to him and got a 99.5 (OMG .5 from qualifying to AIME. . .)
good luck with RSI. . .</p>

<p>jimmy, your school doesn't offer AP? what about IB? I guess you can self-study for AP exams and take them at another school. . .</p>

<p>Colleges will know about your high school. They'll know if AP and IB courses aren't offered. But if you want to be a competitive applicant, I'd recommend self studying a couple AP's just to show some initiative.</p>

<p>Why would you drop music? If you're passionate about it, keep it.</p>

<p>Should I start previewing the prospective institutes in my upcoming junior year?</p>

<p>By the way, I would be considered as an International applicant since I live in Canada, and I'm really really interested in the ivies. How would US universities rate me?</p>

<p>Psh, Canada is practically a state. You aren't given an advantage - or much of a disadvantage. Hopefully you don't need financial aid, because some schools - such as Columbia - are NOT need blind for internationals.</p>

<p>And yeah, start looking around this year.</p>

<p>You're probably right theoneo.
But I went to Princeton this summer and they told me that their financial aid standards apply to both international and domestic applicants. So, maybe it depends...</p>

<p>I just got a job offer from the Canadian Army (since I live in Canada), and I'm planning to work part time as in the reserves. Will that count into my passion into politics?</p>

<p>By army you mean like the military army, right? If so, no. That would have nothing to do with politics.</p>

<p>Work with local representatives and start something in your community.</p>

<p>Attend school board and PTA meetings. Public service/relations is very related to politics.</p>

<p>Guys do not take your SAT early. May and June are the best dates to take the exam. Also, consider taking the ACT, its based on a scale to SAT so it benifits you. I highly recommend that you take the ACT and take only the SAT subject tests. You have a choice in what exams you would like to submit to a college in the ACT. The SAT shows EVERY SINGLE EXAM YOU'VE TAKEN that means that the SAT and its subject tests are on the score report. Dont be an idiot like me and send your really high subject test scores thinking that they wont see your crappy SAT scores.</p>

<p>Take this advice, Im a senior and I have gone throught the same stress you guys have.</p>

<p>Why not just prep all summer, take the SAT in the fall (and again in winter if needed), and then take any remaining SAT II's in June?</p>

<p>That way, you can focus on the PSAT/SAT first, then AP's, then SAT II's (which will often overlap with AP's, such as US history).</p>

<p>At least, that's my plan.</p>