Started applying to colleges, need some help from you folks.

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey</p>

<p>So I thought I would start applying for colleges before it was too late. I'm in the middle of my application, and I have a few questions to ask.</p>

<p>For the records, I'm planning on majoring in Biology.</p>

<p>Now, my GPA is 3.3, and my SAT score is 1780. (Verbal: 560, Math: 630, Writing: 590) I'm in the top quarter of my class, and I've been taking Honor classes ever since I started high school, and I've made the honor roll numerous times throughout the years. I only have a handful of extracurricular activites, though: Quit Karate a few months after starting high school, joined the Debate Club in my sophomore year, don't know if this counts but joined an SAT course this year. So I'm really short on the extracurricular side of things. And I kind of can't write anything down for work experience. And if it helps, I'm bilingual. </p>

<p>Here's where things really get messed up. This is my senior year, and I screwed up majorly on my first quarter GPA. I was going to finish off the quarter with an average of 91, but I forgot to take my make-up test for Trig (which I would have passed with a 100 if I took it, I feel like a moron right now) and this dropped my Trig grade from a 100 down to a 70. So...I finished off the quarter with an 85.3. </p>

<p>I am planning on sending in 2 recommendations afters submitting the online application. One from my old Biology teacher, and one from my current Math teacher.</p>

<p>The colleges I am applying to are: Rutgers New Brunswick, SUNY Albany, Penn State University Park, Ohio State, and University of Massachusetts Amherst. By the way, I haven't finished my college essay yet. Just felt like throwing that in. :D</p>

<p>As you see, I'm in a very...average position, and even though my counselor keeps telling me I'll be fine, I still get this weird feeling that I won't make it into these schools. </p>

<p>Let's get to the questions. In some of these applications, I see sections like "List your talents/abilities." If I told them I could ride a unicycle (I can't) how would they know I really could? </p>

<p>This is going to sound a bit stupid but, what is and isn't considered an extracurricular activity?</p>

<p>With my scores and all, are the schools I picked good choices, or are they reaches? Do you think I'll need any safety schools with those? Please help, I can't see my guidance counselor again until Friday or Monday, and I want to get most of my applications over with before next week.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Eh, anybody?</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
In some of these applications, I see sections like "List your talents/abilities." If I told them I could ride a unicycle (I can't) how would they know I really could?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>They'll read your application and believe everything except those are suspicious (Bush's long-lost daughter, stablizing Middle East, etc.) But, you must sign your name on the application in agreement that you are honest with your answer. </p>

<p>
[quote]
what is and isn't considered an extracurricular activity?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Anything you do outside classrooms and spend considerable amount of time on. Clubs, sports, community activities, church, etc.</p>

<p>
[quote]
As you see, I'm in a very...average position, and even though my counselor keeps telling me I'll be fine, I still get this weird feeling that I won't make it into these schools.

[/quote]

Your counselor's right. You'll be fine.</p>

<p>PS. This is my first post to use quotes! Yay.</p>

4

<p>^ How the heck do you quote? 122 posts and I still haven't got a clue.</p>

5

<p>i wouldn't list SAT prep as a EC</p>

6

<p>^ insert the following text into a message "[ quote ]copy and paste quote here[ /quote ] eliminating the spaces between the [ and the word quote.</p>

7

<p>^ LOL. </p>

<p>Seriously, now. How do you quote? I want to stop using these stupid "^" characters. :)</p>

8

<p>[ quote=mirror<em>of</em>dirt]Seriously, now. How do you quote? I want to stop using these stupid "^" characters.[ /quote]</p>

<p>^^^there's an example, if I eliminate the spaces between [ and quote and [ and /quote, it looks like this:</p>

<p>


</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
311Griff, I have learned something new. :)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>And that mystery is solved.</p>

10

<p>Looks like my thread killed 2 birds with one stone. Thanks for all the help.</p>

<p>I have another question. My school doesn't have a soccer team, and I really want to play soccer in college. Can I join the college soccer team even though I didn't play soccer in high school? Is that a requirement?</p>

11

<p>Talk to the coach- some schools you can walk on easily. Others you can't
Even if you can't there should be club...</p>

12

<p>I guess it'll be something I'll have to figure when I get there...Wherever "there" is.</p>

<p>Damn that sounded emo.</p>

13

<p>Too bad you're only interested in huge universities, there are many fine LaCs that you could be admitted to.</p>