<p>I thought I was figuring this college search thing out.
And now I am completely lost. So right now I'm just trying to figure out how to take the first step and get this done.
Help will be appreciated. Thank you!</p>
<p>How about finding some schools that seem interesting
and then finding out more about them? Was that too hard to figure out?</p>
<p>I have done that. But I was just looking at this differently and it was overwhelming me…</p>
<p>I can appreciate how overwhelming this can be, especially since I’m in the same boat you’re in right now. I’m currently researching some colleges and it does seem a bit difficult, but it gets easier once you know what you’re doing.</p>
<p>Basically, you have a list with three different sections. You have your fallback or backup schools, your probable or match schools, and then your improbable or reach schools. You take a good look at your GPA and SAT scores, among other things, and decide which colleges go in what category.</p>
<p>Care to post your stats (GPA, SAT scores, AP courses taken, ECs) so that people here can help you by suggesting some colleges?</p>
<p>Well right now I’m a rising junior, and I feel that a lot of my stats will greatly change (some for the better, some for the worse)</p>
<p>Well, it’s certainly commendable that you’re attempting to prepare yourself before the end of your junior year. For now, try and estimate what your GPA will range from and to by the end of your junior year and attempt to reach the higher end of that spectrum. Until you’ve taken your SAT exam, you won’t really know much about what colleges you’ll be likely to get into, unless you’ve already taken them as a sophomore, which would give you somewhat of an idea.</p>
<p>You do, however, have the opportunity to research colleges based on your interests and see what they’re like. Speak with your high school’s guidance counselor to help you out or to give you a push in the right direction.</p>
<p>Well here’s my situation right now. And I’m sorry for throwing only tidbits of info at you btw.
Right now I have a 4.0 GPA from my first two years at Slide-By High. But this fall I am attending a new school, which is a Public Elite on the Newsweek rankings. It will be much different, and I know that I will lose my 4.0. I don’t know how they calculate GPA and on what scale, so I don’t think I have a definite answer for that right now.
I have also taken the SAT. I went in cold and did ehh. 1880/2400, 1290/1600
I have also taken the ACT since I am in a ACT-dominate area. My last score was a 32.</p>
<p>And thank you collegeattempt!!!</p>
<p>Would I be correct in assuming that your GPA is marked out of a 4.0 scale? If so, then you’re certainly on the right track in terms of your GPA.</p>
<p>Your SAT score is decent at best, but if you’re aiming for a top-notch university, study and try and raise your score to at least a 2000, 2100 to stand a very good fighting chance for some of the higher tier schools.</p>
<p>Your ACT score, when converted to an SAT score, is around 2100, which is a very good score. Since you’ve already taken the SAT once, take another stab at it since you took it cold the first time. You’ll be set with a solid SAT and ACT score.</p>
<p>You have the potential to get into a very nice college if you continue to keep up with what you’re doing now. Hopefully you’re already in some extra curricular activities and plan on taking the SAT Subject Tests later in your junior year.</p>
<p>As far as colleges go, it would be a good idea to start compiling a list of any random colleges, even colleges you don’t think you’ll be accepted to. Make a backup list, a probable list, and a reach list and add a college or two to it everyday. You’ll be more than ready by the end of your junior year this way.</p>
<p>Like I stated before, you’re doing pretty well so far, keep it up! And good luck with your new school.</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>
<p>there are some basic refining criteria for you to start with.</p>
<p>How big?
What are you interested in studying?
Any geographic concerns?</p>
<p>Based on those, we can help you start looking for schools which you are competitive for.</p>
<p>collegeattempt - Yes my current school’s scale is 4.0. I’m not sure about my new school.
And I know I need to raise the SAT score.
I have some ECs, not impressive, but I have some that aren’t bad.
And I did take 2 SAT Subject Tests in June, and didn’t do so hot on those. So I don’t plan on posting the scores on this thread.
I do have a pretty big list I’m looking at right now.
And thank you!!</p>
<p>IBfootballer - I plan on going into engineering almost definitely. Three spark my interest right now: mechanical, aerospace, and industrial.
But I have no answer on the other two. I have been trying to find those out for a while now.</p>