<p>Hi. Well, this is my first time posting so I'm not sure this is the right place for this, but anyway, I am only an 8th grader now, but I tend to be a worrywort so I am already starting to stress over colleges (now too much, don't worry!). I am an all A student at a gifted middle school, I recieve many awards, have tons of ECs, and volunteer four hours every other week. I have the chance to go to a high school academy next year, but I am not sure which one would be best. It is between an International Baccalaureate (IB)program and a Math and Science Academy. Both offer rigerous courseloads and many challenges. I am not sure I want to go into a carreer in math or science, so I am hesistant to go there. However, I am afraid that if I go to to the IB program it will be too much work and my grades will fall. Any suggestions or tips that I can use now to help get into a good college in the future? Oh, I have also already taken the ACTs (the real thing, but as a practice) through a talent search. I haven't gotten my scores back though.</p>
<p>No shame in starting early--just don't put too much pressure on yourself, or you will risk burning out. Of course, take all advice here with a grain of salt--ultimately, it is your decision what type of HS you would like to go to. But I will offer my opinion (what I would do, knowing what I know now), and you can take it for what it is worth. I was also in a gifted program in MS, but was not as pulled together as you are, and thus never seriously considered the Math and Science academy that is nearby to my home. However, even had I been more focused, I know that I would not have liked it there. I, too, was disinterested in the Math and Science aspect (although I have come to really enjoy math...interests change) and the kids I knew who wanted to go there were too obsessive, in my opinion. Do realize, however, that the curriculum will likely still be very broad, and that you needn't be planning on a career in math and science to have a worthwhile academic experience at that Academy. On the other hand, the Math and Science aspect will likely attract a certain type of student who is interested in those fields, so that may influence your decision as well. </p>
<p>Personally, I think that the IB program seems like a great opportunity, and I wish that I could have taken advantage of it during my HS career. The broad and comprehensive nature of the program, plus the meaningfulness and pride in completing an IB diploma seem like big draws to me. This is from an outsider prospective, however--I have not personally studied in an IB program. I would choose this--but that doesn't mean it's right for everyone. </p>
<p>My tips for you as a soon to be HS student would be to be vigilant with your grades, to read up on some college admissions books so that you can see what you will need to do, and to be active in your EC's. However, I also urge you to make a commitment to yourself to enjoy your HS career and not to do things only because you think that they will help you get into college. I'm not saying don't push yourself with an eye on college--that's fine, and good for you to stretch as well. But if you ever find yourself doing something that you plain don't want to do because you think you "should"--don't do it. Don't live your life to get into Harvard or whatever school--live your life for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>Math and Science academies also usually require participations in science fairs, etc. which can be quite time-consuming.</p>
<p>Are there current students in both programs you can talk to? That might help you make your decision. And look at what colleges the students from each school are accepted to.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Well, I don't know if this is what you're asking, but the IB school and the Math/Science academy are both prestigious/competitive enough to get you into the toughest colleges. So make your choice based on where you think you'd be happiest. That will be best. Happier students do better anyway. I don't have any experience with IB programs so I'll let the IB kids do the talking...</p>
<p>
[quote]
shortiegirl9 writes: I recieve many awards, have tons of ECs, and volunteer four hours every other week.</p>
<p>I am afraid that if I go to to the IB program it will be too much work and my grades will fall.
[/quote]
2 comments on these snips from what you posted. First, "tons of ECs" is not the way to go. Many kids think if they take part in everything they are showing colleges they are well-rounded and eager to participate. This is not what colleges want! Colleges build a well-rounded class out of people that are passionate about pursuing their ECs, but just one or two of them. To continue in this vein, building an impressive number of volunteer hours is not what perks up the eyes of adcoms. 400 volunteer hours is a lot, but a adcom is much more interested in the kid who organized the events, got local businesses to donate, and was recognized on a city or state level. Even if that was done with far fewer hours. If you don't believe me, would you believe Stanford? On its FAQ they say
[quote]
we are interested in students who have made significant contributions to the life of their school or community. We do not favor one type of activity over another; nor is it necessary to participate in a large number of activities. An exceptional experience in one or two activities demonstrates your passion more than minimal participation in five or six clubs. We want to see the impact your participation has had on that club, in your school, or in the larger community. With extracurricular activities, a sustained depth of commitment is more important than a long list of clubs you have joined.
[/quote]
And about not taking that IB program due to GPA worries, a lot of people think they can "game" the system. They shrink from taking the more challenging courses because they worry they may not do as well as the other kids, so they take the easier classes instead. Now either the adcoms are a bunch of old fools who don't know the difference, or the kids who take the challenging courses and do well are the ones they're looking for. My money, at the most selective colleges, is on the latter interpretation. One book I suggest you read, for the insight it gives into what admission committees are looking for, is the book "The Gatekeepers". The author spent a year inside the admissions office at Wesleyan (a top LAC). The book is not a "how-to" guide, but it will show you what the adcoms at the most selective schools are thinking when they evaluate candidates. And when they see someone with great grades but who didn't take the toughest courses, they ask themselves why the person didn't challenge themselves more and if they're really right for a top school. Don't fool yourself; the kids at the most selective colleges are very bright and someone who is worried about competing against bright kids in their local community ought to ask themselves if they really will be able to do it at a school that draws the brightest kids from across the country.</p>
<p>Lastly, lest I sound too alarmist or like someone who is too focused on the most selective schools, let me add some general advice. First, a little surprise. You may be worried about whether you can compete at your local magnet school, but I promise you so is everyone else who goes there! The kids who seem brash and so sure of themselves are just putting on an act, trying to build up their own self-confidence. </p>
<p>Second, grades are not something that just "happen". The grade you get depends on how hard you work, if you are persistent in the face of disappointment, if you are using your time effectively, whether you are willing to ask for help when needed. I did not say "talent", and that ommission is deliberate. A lot of evidence has been accumulating that shows while there may be some small differences in innate ability, the factor that distinguishes those at the top from the also-rans is plain-old hard work! NOT that some are born geniuses and had it easy. Take a look at the article at <a href="http://tinyurl.com/y84xvo%5B/url%5D">http://tinyurl.com/y84xvo</a>, for example. As for using your time effectively, NOW is the time to begin practicing those better habits. What are they, you say? There's a book every college student should own, titled "What Smart Students Know". It is written by the cofounder of the Princeton Review Prep School, and it distills out exactly what you need to do in order to master different subjects. It is no magic bullet, no "Get A's with 20 minutes study a day". You still have to work hard, but the work you do will be as productive as possible.</p>
<p>Third, be wary of focusing on getting into one of the most selective colleges as your standard of achievement. There are over 2,000 4-year colleges in this country, an only about 100 or so are the super-selective ones you read about in the papers. The rest accept the majority of their applicants, even though this fact is lost over the hysteria in the selectivity of the premier schools. If you are a good student you WILL get into a good college. It may not be one of the ones everyone in the HS crowd talks about, but it will be a good school. The adcoms at the most selective schools admit they could build an entire entering class, just as good as the ones they accepted, out of the rest. So to some degree getting in depends on chance, and to judge yourself by that standard it to set unrealistic expectations.</p>
<p>Lastly, don't put all your energy into focusing on college. Not even most. It is an important goal, to be sure, but there is a lot of life to be lived in the next four years! Making every decision turn on how it will affect your chances for college, whether it be as big as which school to pick or as small as going to the mall with some friends vs. studying some more, is not the way to go. As a kid it might be hard to have perspective on this, but these are the last few years you'll be living at home and seeing your family every day, the last few spent daily with kids you have have known your whole life, and so on. Its understandable and natural that you may be developing an itch to get away from this and move on to the next stage, but there's a reason nostalgic books and movies in which the characters revisit their childhood inso manner are so popular with the public. Hard as it may be to realize when you're parents just won't be reasonable or the kids as school seem clique-y and phony, there IS something of value in these years, something you'll never be able to recapture. So don't live every moment planning for some day 4+ years off, take time to smell the roses too!</p>
<p>ok, my essay for the nite is done :)</p>
<p>shortie,
you may want to repose this question on the Parents Forum, where you will receive a wealth of advice from knowledgable parents who have guided their children through decisiions such as yours. I would also retitle it- " Advice wanted- IB or Math and Science Academy?" if you decide to post there.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies, they've been really helpful!To clarify a little, "tons of ECs" is not shallowly involved in many--I am VP of the SCA and VERY deeply involved in it for the past three years. ECs at my school also rotate, so when something I am involved with is over I go on to another, thereby allowing me to be involved in many. Also, I am (and not trying to sound ecotistical here) at the top of my class in my school. I was one of less than nine students who recieved straight A's last quarter, and am a very good student. The worry I have about the IB program is that many people I have talked to say it is A LOT of work, and since I am a perfectionist and already spend several hours a day on my schoolwork and have a social life basically only on weekends, I want to be able to have a social life in high school. The math and science program seems to put a lot more emphasis on the student life and ECs aspect of high school, which is appealing. I am in no way trying to shrink from the more challenging courses, I am just trying to find a balance between schoolwork and a social life.</p>
<p>OK, you are a middle schooler. Somebody had to say it. Keep doing well academically, get involved in the EC's at your high school, and put college out of your mind until high school. You are a very different person than you will be in four years, so putting energy into the college process now is a waste. Trust those of us that have finished the process, you have more than enough time to stress out later! You're on the right track, just keep doing exactly what you're doing.</p>
<p>While your current achievements are great, try to be a kid a little bit. If you keep going how you are, you will surely get into the school of your dreams, but not necessarily be happy there. You're too young to devote your entire life to academics!</p>
<p>ummm I think you should be enjoying your 8th grade days...... and leave the worrying about colleges till your junior year.............. trust me youll have plent of time to stress about it then</p>