for JUNIORS who are ready to get onto THE PERILOUS ROAD

<p>I'm trying REALLY hard not to get excited about prestigious schools. I know which "super stretches" I'm applying to: Stanford and Brown. And so I can focus on finding schools I might actually have a chance at ;)</p>

<p>I don't think you should wait until the end of junior year. I think you should be researching way before that, as long as you keep the right outlook. Right now I'm researching public universities and I've decided I want to apply to Michigan, Illinois, North Carolina and Wisconsin. My safety schools are Loyola Chicago and DePaul. I've made Michigan my "dream school" even though it's almost certain I'll get in because I'm in state and go to a Michigan feeder.</p>

<p>In my situation, thinking about Ivy's and other great schools is just going to set me up for emotional turmoil. It's not worth it. And hey, if I go to Michigan, I'll be saving almost $35,000 per year.</p>

<p>now that's a good perspective to have....;)</p>

<p>Can anybody give me some good (specific) advice on how I can expand my "passion" in politics?
-I currently working at a local police dept.
-have volunteered for both conservatives and liberals during elections
-is planning to open up a JSA branch at my school and another branch in our community for youths
-joining the army (infantry) reserves in sept.
-just came back from month long JSA Political program at Princeton
-have completed two college level courses: AP US Foreign policy and AP Speech communications at Princeton
-tried three times for student gov't grade rep., all failed, but I'm trying again in sept.
-school rep. at district student council</p>

<p>I just started my junior year a few days ago.</p>

<p>I'm taking 4 APs: Microeconomics, Macroeconmics, Art History (Maybe I'll take the test, since I heard from my teacher that it's super hard), Government. </p>

<p>I'm planning on taking SAT II Chinese in November. SAT in January, and probably take it again in March. I haven't planned my other SAT II tests yet :. </p>

<p>I'm not too worried about my SAT if I study a little more for it, since I took a SAT prep course in the end of my Sophmore yr and got around 1700's on it the first time. Then I took it again in July and scored 2040 (SAT prep course was crap, this was just due to studying by myself :p). And I just took it again 2 weeks ago and got 2060 but I haven't studied since I took it in July... So I guess it was a pretty big jump for 2 months of some minor studying, I can probably improve a little more (mostly CR) if I study again. </p>

<p>Btw, for SAT do colleges see all your scores or do you have a choice of which ones they see, or do they just see the score that's compiled with your highest scores for each section?</p>

<p>@ Twinki - I believe they see all your scores. But consider the highest scores. I guess it depends on the school.</p>

<p>I'm going to be a junior in less than four weeks. -YAY-</p>

<p>I'm probably going to take the SAT in March/April and I am definatly taking my SAT IIs in June. I'm taking US History and Literature so by then, I'll have learned in throughout the school year. XP Once my mother gets the money, I'm going to get some review books and study for the SAT on my own. I already have my dream college lined up. I'm so excited!</p>

<p>Okay, I always get really confused on the "character" part of an application. Most people say it has a lot to do with your EC's, but how does an admissions officer judge your "character"? </p>

<p>My EC's include:
-Band (Tuba and Low Brass Captain)
-KIWIN'S/Key Club (Treasurer and Convention Chair)
-Tae Kwon Do (Will have black belt by admissions process)
-Senate Member
-South Coast Repertory (Completed 3 year Youth Conservatory theater program)</p>

<p>I have more, but not as unique. Is that what they're looking for? Uniqueness? I'm a tall blonde girl who plays tuba and is in Tae Kwon Do, does that make me unique?</p>

<p>I personally do not think that these EC's will be impressive. </p>

<p>What is passion? Music, it seems. Then, have you devoted much time into that passion you have? Have you been doing something that is really "unique" and useful that can contribute to your passion?</p>

<p>It doesn't seem like you (Kimdirect) have a set passion. The clubs just seem scattered around. If music is what you desire then maybe playing in some competitions would help.</p>

<p>I was interested in self-studying a few APs this year. I will be a junior with no APs. Anyone know of any online classes or tips on how to self study for the APs. My school doesnt offer many APs. I was interested in Psych, Govt', History, and myabe Econ, and Literature. Please posts your comments</p>

<p>I think apush is very a good candidate for self-studying, since it's almost all dependent on memorization. Therefore, buy one or two review books (I used Kaplan's and thought it was okay, but I think PR's and Barron's are probably better or use REA if you can stand the absolute boredom.) and take a lot of practice tests and quizzes. There are sites that can be googled - I think a really good one is USQuiz or something. It would be really beneficial if you bought a textbook, and if you do, take comphrehensive notes. If you don't buy a textbook, get somebody else's notes off of the internet (there are some really nice ones) and start memorizing. . .
I haven't taken psych, gov't or econ yet, so I can't say anything. . .</p>

<p>Hey, fellow juniors! Well, we started school on Monday and everything is going good so far. I have 4 AP's (Lang, Chem, Physics B, and Psych). AP Physics is my hardest class right now, but the people in there are very cool cause I know all of them from previous classes. Too much work in AP Chem though. </p>

<p>I kept all that college mail from the PSAT's last October. I looked through it during summer and I like Princeton (but that is a super super reach), Cornell, Duke, JHU, UChicago, and Tufts. But I guess I have to see what happens...</p>

<p>I have a few more questions for on this self-studying AP stuff...So lets say that I am taking Spanish 3 this year and they offer no APs: I just study extra hard in Spanish and then at the end of the year I take the exam? Will I get an AP credit towards my GPA? And if you DO take an AP offered at your school but DON'T take the test then do you still get a 5 for As, 4 for Bs, etc. And can you do this self studying stuff for something like art history, which isn't even offered as a regular class? And would I just do the self-study at home or whatever?</p>

<p>I know, I know... A LOT of questions, but I am also a junior who isn't taking any APs this year and I am really interested in this self-studying thing.</p>

<p>-You have to talk to your school's AP Coordinator in January/February about taking the exam. Check collegeboard.com for more info</p>

<p>-It most probably won't count towards your GPA.</p>

<p>-No, college credits are only granted for the exams, not the courses, since a course in one school may be much easier or harder than a course in another school, and colleges would have no idea.</p>

<p>-You can either study by yourself at home, get a tutor, or register for a course. It depends on your motivation level and study habits.</p>

<p>How are these EC's so far? Will be adding much more to it this year, since I've been slacking during sophmore & freshman year... regretfully.</p>

<p>Teacher at St. Louis Modern Chinese School (2 years, recommendation letter)
Volunteering for Childrens Hope International (Fairly well known international adoption agency, recommendation letter)
Speech and Debate (2 years)
Track Team (2 years)
Band (1 year, but will be 2 years since I'm planning on doing it senior yr)
Piano (5 years)
Community Services 100+ Hrs (Yeah I know weak, it'll be around 500 or more by the end of summer)
Art (6 years, so I've compiled a fairly large artporfolio)</p>

<p>Eh... I'm planning on joining a few clubs such as Anmeisty International, Model UN, Gay Straight Alliance? I'm not too sure about this because of bias feeling of college appl reviewers may count against me :\ Don't know if I should take the risk lol.</p>

<p>So any suggestions to make my EC stronger?</p>

<p>thank you thank you</p>

<p>haha juniors eh. I feel so old going into grade 12 next year.</p>

<p>I can't believe I didn't see this thread before...lol. I'm also a rising junior. I plan on taking at least 5 aps (Bio, Calc BC, US History, Psych, Macro, maybe Chem) this year and SAT II Bio and US history.</p>

<p>Some of my ecs:</p>

<p>Piano for 9 years
- ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) Level 8
with Merit.
- NJ Music Teachers Association (NJMTA) 5 Year Honors award
- Golden Key Festival Winner, performed at Carnegie Hall
- Participated in the 2004 International Children's Cultural Arts
Festival, selected to play in Shanghai Grande Theatre.</p>

<p>I'm probably sending a CD recording along with my application.</p>

<p>Table Tennis</p>

<pre><code> - Nationally Ranked for under 16 juniors.
- 2005 AAU Junior Olympic Singles silver medalist, doubles silver
medalist, and teams gold medalist
- Teaches a class at the local community center (volunteer work).
</code></pre>

<p>I've won many other small awards from tournaments and such.</p>

<pre><code> Other ECs

  • Teaches chess class at Chinese school (volunteer)
  • Editor of school newspaper, hopefully editor in chief senior year. </code></pre>

<p>That's about it. I did cross country and spring track for a year, but I don't really think I should mention it because I quit. You could see that piano and table tennis are my "passions", and I'm looking for advice on how to show colleges this. Right now I'm probably ranked 10-20 out of a class of 500. I still have to take SATs and such, but assuming I score at least the avg of the schools I'm applying to, am I on the right track? I'm looking at Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Music, table tennis, and chess? LOL.</p>

<p>don't take Bio, calc AND chem unless you are sure you can pull it off. . .lol i should listen my own advice. . .</p>

<p>Who's taking the SAT in November, December or January?</p>