<p>^ I want to do a summer program but I don’t know which one. 
I haven’t taken the PSAT/ sat/ act yet… </p>
<p>No one in my school really takes anything until at least sophomore year.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt, Duke, and Brown have programs in many areas.</p>
<p>I want to do one, but aren’t they extremely selective?</p>
<p>I’m probably going to go on a service trip over the summer</p>
<p>@apanida</p>
<p>They sometimes ask for PSAT scores. It will also help if you have the grades and GPA. You should also get some volunteering hours during Thanksgiving break. That will help a lot in my opinion.</p>
<p>Teachers convention these next two days so I get a four-day weekend :)</p>
<p>I struggled these past two weeks because of a) lack of effort and b) my family took a trip to Puerto Rico so I missed three days of school (still have no idea why we took the trip, but it was awesome)</p>
<p>My school is usually #1-5 or so in NJ, so I was expecting it to be hard but it really isn’t bad. My GPA is a 4.0 (but honors classes count for 4.3 in my school, with these weighted as 4.0 it’s around 3.75).</p>
<p>I guess I just got very lucky with teachers this year. Anyway, I had a yearly sit down with my guidance counselor today (although we can go as much as we want and are recommended to once per quarter). She said with my grades she’d like my to do AP Euro next year which I was planning on. I’m not sure about AP Bio though, it’s like two hours of work a night . Do you guys think I should try it?</p>
<p>Finally, we talked about my second semester elective (it switches from expository writing). I’m set to take honors economics in which I’d probably be the only freshman, but she recommends I switch classes to ease up a bit with my packed schedule. Should I? Me and a few friends may want to take an art class together, but then my schedule’s looking a little weak. I’d have 5 honors but 2 creampuff art classes and a gym.</p>
<p>@letsgooncc sounds like you did get lucky with your teachers! I have a long weekend too (only 3 days though). </p>
<p>If I were you I would take ap bio only if you like science. If you take it and HATE science then the class will be miserable!</p>
<p>I’m going to take ap bio in junior year 
I love
science, and my class right now bores me to death so I can’t wait to take something more advanced.</p>
<p>Help please…</p>
<ul>
<li>I need to decide whether to</li>
</ul>
<p>a) stay in economics honors for semester 2, I’d be the only non junior/senior
b) switch into an easy art class with friends
c) take a social studies type elective like ages and ideas, and try to bring some friends with me.</p>
<p>Advice? I have a pretty full schedule with baseball in the spring so I don’t know about another hard class. </p>
<p>IMPORTANT: Our school ‘doesn’t count’ freshman GPA and there are rumors grades from this year won’t be on our transcripts but I’m not sure. How much will freshman year success still matter to colleges? This is pretty important for answering the above question as well. Thanks everyone :)</p>
<p>I don’t know how much (or how little) freshman year counts, but if colleges were to “forgive” one year, it’d probably be freshman year.
And I would take the art class, especially if you at least somewhat like art. Then again, if you like economics, then take that. But I highly doubt colleges are going to think you’re an underachiever or something if you take an art class instead of economics. But that’s just my opinion.</p>
<p>^ I agree… Take whatever you like more! :D</p>
<p>Thanks guys! Think I’ll go with the art. Economics could be fun and useful but I’d rather wait until later when I’ll be with some kids my age.</p>
<p>Econ could be really helpful for potential ECs later on</p>
<p>What are y’all doing for next summer? I’m planning on interning at a countywide political office (assuming they accept me) and going to debate camp. I want to volunteer but am unsure if there are many options avaliable for me.</p>
<p>I think I’m going to work at my town pool. I’ll look for some weekends volunteering.</p>
<p>Whether or not my school offers a summer baseball team I don’t know, but I might do that if it’s available.</p>
<p>Gosh, you guys sound like you have great schools. My school doesn’t allow freshmen into any of the higher electives like Economics even though many of us are in Soph./ Jr. core classes. The debate club at my school is HORRIBLE, no structure at all. A meeting once a month for 30 minutes and the president never shows. I have to get a partner and prepare for a Public Forum Debate by Nov. 15. I have a partner that doesn’t want to give his phone number. Also, they haven’t taught us a bit about how to debate so I guess I have to take the reins again. Our topic paraphrased is the is the pros and cons of the work of the NSA. </p>
<p>Would you guys suggest just dropping out of the club and pursue volunteering or work instead OR just trying my best to not fail this first debate which they just told me about Friday and have 6 days to prepare for?</p>
<p>Thanks :)</p>
<p>In addition, are any of you lovely folks in IB?</p>
<p>I would do the first debate and try your best at it! If you still don’t like it, then quit. </p>
<p>I’m not in ib because my school doesn’t have it :(</p>
<p>What is ib? It isn’t offered at my school.</p>
<p>^ I’m not entirely sure because my school doesn’t have it, but I think it’s kind of like AP. I think it’s a more structured schedule though? Not sure :)</p>
<p>My school is already registering for classes next year. I was wondering should I take College Prep Algebra 2 and Geometry in the same year? Because I’m a bit behind by taking Algebra 1 this year. I’m working my way up to be on the whole College Prep course, and I need to get those two classes out of the way.
(p.s Freshmen now class of 2017 so I’m talking about sophomore year)</p>
<p>I am taking algebra 2 this year, and most of it is just building on what you already know from algebra 1. It isn’t too crazy. I’m not sure how fast-paced you’d have to go to get both algebra 2 & geometry done in the same year, but I’d talk to your math teacher about it.</p>