Hi I am an 11th grader, I would like to apply to colleges next year, but I have no clue where to start, what exams I should take or what kind of colleges I should apply to.
I am interested in learning mechanical engineering.
Thank you
Where do you live? What is your college budget? Grades?
You’ll need to take either the SAT or ACT and you should be preparing now and looking at registration dates.
For some colleges you will need SAT II subject tests.
If your native language isn’t english, the TOEFL.
Connect with your school’s guidance counselor!
Start by going to your guidance counselor and explaining that you know nothing about applying to college. They should have provided you with a better background by now. So, let them start now.
- what’s your GPA, unweighted? Weighted?
- have you taken any AP class? (Which ones?) What math class are you in? Have you taken or do you plan to take AP physics 1 or honors physics?
- what classes are you going to take next ear?
Register for the June subject tests and whatever act date is the closer.
For subject tests take math 2(if you’re done with precalculus this year), chemistry or Physics depending on the Science you took this year, and English or a foreign Language depending on your best subject. Study seriously based on your classes.
For the act, study hard borrowing books from your HS library.
Borrow The Fiske Guide and/or Princeton Review’s best colleges. Start reading.
I have a 4.0 GPA, I haven’t taken any AP classes, I am an Ethiopian, I have a very low budget
Ok, then you have two pathways:
Start prepping for the SAT or act NOW and if you have 1450-1500/32-33 take it in June; if you don’t, keep practicing and take the test in September.
Then (assuming you scored 1450+)
- apply in October to big merit scholarships, both automatic and competitive.
- apply REA/SCEA to one of the universities that are need blind/meet need for internationals, EA to LACs or universities that have Engineering.
Are you a boy or a girl?
“Very low budget” = you need full ride, right? (= Your family can’t afford more than $3-4,000)
What sort of school do you attend?