I am so lost...

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi everyone, I just got an E-mail from my school saying that when we go back to school, all juniors (including me) will be advised to talk to the college counselor to start talking about our "future". Anyway, it was also mentioned that we should have an idea of where we want to go. But, i don't have an older sibling or anyone I can talk to about this stuff.(since I wasn't born here). I have mae some chance threads but I am very lost. Can you please help me? </p>

<p>These are my stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.96 (UW) and 4.6 (W)
Rank: 20/576</p>

<p>SAT I: 2160 (based on a few tests I took from Blue Book)
SAT II: Biology: 790, Math II: 760, History: 780</p>

<p>APs: Human Geography(5), Biology (5), APES (5), World History (5) </p>

<p>Junior year: AP Physics B, AP Lang, AP Chem, AP Psychology, AP Euro, APUSH, pre-calc H
Senior year: AP Lit. , AP Calc AB, AP Macro/US Gov't, AP Physics C (maybe), AP Art History</p>

<p>ECs:
Volunteering at Children's Science Museum: 9, 10, 11, 12
Volunteering at Library: 10, 11, 12
Part of my communities Orchestra: 10, 11, 12
Chemistry Club: 10, 11, 12
National Honor Society: 11, 12
Science National Hnors Society: 11, 12
Science Olympiad: 11, 12
French Club: 9, 10, 11, 12
French National Honor Society: 10, 11, 12</p>

<p>Leadership:
1st chair in orchestra
VP of French Club and French Honor Society
VP of Chemistry Club
Might have more, i dont know yet (maybe envi president/co-president)</p>

<p>Awards:
National AP Scholar
Some minor school awards
Will prob win some next year at scince olympiad</p>

<p>I live in Florida and my school is VERY, VERY competitive. </p>

<p>I really, really, really like science. (biology/psychology/neuro mainly) The fact that you can know how and why we are alive and how everything works is pretty cool, to me. So, obviously, I want to do something science related. </p>

<p>Do you guys know any good schools for me? (btw, I'm "first generation" and Hispanic)</p>

2

<p>The first question is always “what can you afford?” Have you talked to your parents about this?</p>

<p>The next question is what kind of experience do you want? Large state school? Small liberal arts college? Mid-sized privates? Do you prefer an urban, suburban or rural location? How far from home are you willing to travel? What part of the country do you want to be in (can you handle a midwestern winter?) What kind of environment or culture? </p>

<p>If you don’t know, try visiting the state university campus nearest you , a LAC (like Eckard) in Florida and a private university in the fall, once they are in session. Sign up for the prospective student tours and sessions. See what feels right in terms of size. Do some searches on CC (LAC vs. University) to figure out the pros and cons of big vs. small schools. Buy some college guide books and start reading.</p>

<p>You’ve got a lot of homework to do and summer is a great time to be doing it. At the same time, you should be looking at the Common Application and starting your essays because it takes weeks to get an essay in final form.</p>

3

<p>People have a tendency here to focus on the college experience. What you want to do at college, how you want college to be, etc. From what I’ve seen if you do that you’ll find yourself at a dead end once you get out of college.</p>

<p>A more important question to ask is:</p>

<p>What do you want to do with your life?</p>

4

<p>blabbermouth- its amazing to me that someone with your obvious intelligence who has over 600 posts on CC can feel completely “lost” LOL go to the library or bookstore and read some college guides to get you started on finding a school that interests you.</p>

5

<p>Relax, you have not even started your Junior year yet. You’ve taken a rigorous course load, have good grades, have good EC’s & have readied yourself to take the SAT. The most important thing is that you’ve put yourself in position to be admitted to a wide variety of colleges. Take the SAT this fall so you’ll have more chances to improve your score if need be. The problem I see a number of students fall into is that during late Junior year they find a college they love but it’s too late to get their stats to the point of having a good chance of being admitted there.</p>

6

<p>You also need to find out what your parents’ expectations are. Immigrant parents do not always have the same notions about the purposes of higher education as their US peers have. If you understand your parents perspectives, you can avoid a lot of grief.</p>

<p>Your stats are good. Ask your counselor about the Bright Futures program. Find out if you qualify.</p>

7

<p>Once you have scores it will be easier to make recommendations.</p>

<p>How much will your parents pay?</p>

<p>Will you get Bright Futures?</p>

<p>What will your major be?</p>

<p>Practice for the PSAT (junior year), so that you might become a NMSF/F.</p>

8

<p>1) I do qualify for bright futures
2) My parents have high, very high expectations
3) I too have some big epectations
4) Probably want to major in neuroscience or something like that (pre-med undergrad)
5) I would prefer a mid-size private college with student sthat care about academics
6) I would almost completely rely on financial aid (parent make about 35,000)</p>

9

<p>I suggest a few things before school starts</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Go to the library and check out both Colleges That Change Lives and Princeton Review. I prefer Princeton over others because it gives quotes from students and seems to focus on “feel” of school. CTCL - look at Rhodes (great pre-med).</p></li>
<li><p>Focus on state schools for a solid financially feasible option. You are very fortunate to have Bright Futures. It is truly a gift that many students do not realize.</p></li>
<li><p>Ask your parents to run a financial aid calculator using 2010 tax return. It is important that your family have an idea of affordablity. Most Guidance Counselors neglect to discuss the harsh reality of finances.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>This site caters to many who need to “narrow” down the list or who are aiming extremely high. Sometimes we forget that the best school may be a state flagship with an honors college. So, if you are comfortable with your state options do not feel pressured by others to look elsewhere.</p>

10

<p>Go to the Financial Aid forum and read about the process and your options.</p>

11

<p>Chin up! You are a high achieving URM with supportive parents. You’ll have marvelous options, and your future looks very bright. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments.</p>

12

<p>Wow, really awesome stats! Keep it up your junior year. </p>

<p>All I can suggest is taking the advice of what the moms and parents on here offer you. They’re all extremely helpful and I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t received their advice on this forum.</p>

13

<p>Congratulations on the great work so far in high school!
Tell your GC that you want to “aim high” and that you are looking for leadership opportunities; what does he or she suggest?
Enter a science fair!!! Get a lot of good guidance from your science teacher and try to win.
Start a project at your school, having to do with science. If you are president of Environmental Club, start a very meaningful project and enlist others to participate.
Is there a local university? If so, see if you can volunteer in a science lab.
Study for the SAT by doing practice questions for 15 minutes or so a day.
After you take the SAT, you will know more about where to apply.</p>

14

<p>You will get amazing financial aid and the better the school often the more they will give. I suggest some mix of super elite schools that are likely to give you full financial aid. If you can boost your SAT score 40 points you have a great chance at the top 1-15 schools. </p>

<p>Harvard, Yale, and Princeton are the least expensive schools in the country if you need lots of aid, which you do. Also apply to a couple of other Ivies with great aid - Dartmouth in particular has awesome financial aid. They will give you basically full ride scholarships - if you get in which you have a shot. </p>

<p>Then apply to other “wealthy” schools including Stanford, Amherst, Northwestern, Rice, and Duke.</p>

<p>Then apply to schools where you have a chance for a full ride - WashU and Emory.</p>

<p>Then apply to a few match-y schools - like Tufts</p>

<p>Then apply to to UF and a scholarship safety like UMiami.</p>

<p>My guess is your most expensive school will be UF - sounds crazy but its true.</p>