So, Cleveland State Community College got back to me first, and they sent me a registration search for summer classes. When you search for French, you get this: https://ssb.clevelandstatecc.edu/PROD/bwckschd.p_disp_detail_sched?term_in=201950&crn_in=50205
and https://ssb.clevelandstatecc.edu/PROD/bwckschd.p_disp_detail_sched?term_in=201950&crn_in=50206
They have only two classes - Beginning French I and Beginning French II. Are these equivalent to high school French I and II or do they encompass more material?
Community College French II covers a short review of HS French 2 (especially conjugation: future, imparfait…) + HS French 3.
I’m gonna try and get talk out of Lee to see what they offer and if it’s any better.
Lee doesn’t even have French as an option in their Summer course. Does this mean I should stick to CSCC’s French or should I do Spanish instead?
Would the CSCC class be a summer class online? If so take Beginning French 2 over the summer and plan to spend 3 hours on it daily.
Check if Lee offers a Fall online or “in person” class such as French 211 in the Fall? Add to this a Western Civ or Introduction to Philosophy (Phil 241) class. In the spring French 212 and either Western Civ or Philosophy. If your school would support your taking these two classes it’d be very good for rigor.
Add, at the high school level, AICE math, English, science and one more AICE class. Would that work?
Your ACT is fantastic. ??
Can you list the summer programs (actual name and place) that you’re talking about so that I can check whether they’re useful or ‘pay to play’?
There aren’t any advertised positions.
You must create a ‘professional’ email address such as firstname.name.College@… which you check daily and use with the universities (when you fill out these Request info forms*).
Then, you look up professors in your chosen subjects (at the CC or Lee) and offer your help.
Dear Professor Z,
My name is … … And I’m currently the valedictorian at …HS, with a full AICE/dual enrollment schedule and a 34 ACT. I love learning and I’m thinking of becoming a professor or a researcher. I was wondering if I could help with your research in … I realize that, at my age, I would only be doing unpaid, routine tasks, but I would do these reliably to save you time for more important matters that I could observe. This in turn would teach me a lot and would help me figure out if that’s what I want to do with my life. I would be available starting …, from 9am 1pm or 2pm-6pm (this is somewhat flexible). Would you consider my application? Would you need a CV or a recommendation?
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
… …
- Fill those out for all universities you listed except Lee, plus the following (which are exceptional for science although they're highly selective) Vassar Smith St Olaf Grinnell Bowdoin Bates Skidmore Dickinson
The only summer program I have been able to find is this: http://www.museumcenter.org/summer-programs You’re looking at the Jr. Entrepeneurs STEM challenge camp. I have registered a spot, though I can resign. It’s free and is a one week camp.
I’ve also registered a PreVU tour of Vanderbilt’s campus for free. Absolutely no way am I going to miss that.
The CSCC summer class is online, and I will look into registration for it.
In the fall, Lee has these classes, all of which are during the school day except for two:
- Elem. French FAST TRACK
- Elementary French I
- Intermediate French I
- Intermediate French I Cafe (4:00PM - 4:50PM)
- The Francophone World
- French Conversation
- FREN-341 Language Cafe
- French Readings and Research
- Intro to Philosophy H (2:35PM - 3:50PM)
- Modern Western Culture (6:00PM - 8:50PM)
I was curious why I would take Western Civ or Phil? Do colleges like Vanderbilt like that stuff?
Now, I’m not sure that I would be able to do one during the school semester, as my schedule will look roughly like this:
FALL:
- Personal Finance and Economics (required)
- AICE math 4
- Anatomy and Physiology H (can be replaced if needed, just thought a science course would be good. BCHS doesn’t have a lot of academic strong courses, moreso blue collar classes like mechanics, engineering, repair, country kid stuff unfortunately)
- open spot
SPRING: - AICE math 6
- AICE Lit
- AICE Global Perspectives (required)
- World History H (required)
I am also likely to self study APUSH since I have a ton of resources for it and another AP (maybe Enviro Science or Studio Art)
You may be wondering why AICE Environmental Management is not in my schedule, and that is because it overlaps with the same block as AICE math 6. This pissed me off and I begged for it to be revised, but administrators will not move the class.
Should I take AICE Environmental Management instead of AICE Math 6 since I want a science strong schedule? I could DE calculus instead (so I was suggested by my chemistry teacher) but I fear sacrificing the challenge of Math 6. Also, I am not sure how involved the professor of a DE Math class would be, as I often need much explanation in math, which could mean sacrificing a perfect GPA if it’s that challenging. Based on how some of my classmates perform in DE classes, it kind of concerns me. (Then again they also do not as well in AICE classes so I might be okay)
I already have an email in which I request info from colleges and get local job updates. I will definitely do those letters and will get back to you on their responses. I guess if they say no I’ll broaden my spectrum too few other colleges in the area. Thanks for that cool suggestion, hope I’ll get someone reeled in.
Also, I got a letter from the “National Society of High School Scholars” encouraging me to attend, although I’ve read on here that it’s a scam/poor value. Should I join it for $75? Their website says stuff about scholarships, summer programs, study abroad experiences, and internship opportunities, which interests me. What do you think?
It’s a scam. No honor requires you to pay for it.
What’s AICE Math 6?
It sounds better than the AICE science course though. 
You’d take Intermediate French and Intermediate French Cafe in the Fall. (<= That means “conversation class for Intermediate students”). It’d be the class that follows Beginning French II.
Philosophy is seen as the most rigorous Humanities course out there. Western Civ does connote rigor too. So look at the syllabus (you can email the professor and say "dear Professor Z, my name is … and I’m hesitating between your class and another one. I’m wondering whether you might have a former syllabus to help me decide. I’d be most grateful if could have a more precisee idea of what the class entails (authors, periods, concepts) than what the course catalog states? Thank you very much. Sincerely, … … )
If you don’t have a 4th period in the Fall, can you make it to Lee on time for the French course? Keeping in mind it’d be three days a week (but lots of HW!)
What if, instead of A&P, you took an intro science course at Lee, too?
Absolutely register for free campus tours and don’t forget to sign up when you get to Admissions!
In fact, are you first gen (neither parent graduated from a 4-yeae college)?
URM ( a parent/grandparent is Black, Hispanic, Latinx, Pacific Islander, First nation/Inuit, Native American, and Asian -wirh variation in., Filipino/Hmong or Midwest v. California)?
A girl interested in stem?
Because you may be eligible for something called “fly-ins”. They’re selective so you need to apply to quite a lot. If selected the college flies you in (pays for your ticket) and two days on their campus, entirely free of charge. Sometimes you have to prepare because you’ll be attending a class and professors will take notes on your performance, sometimes they’ll give you a reading to prepare just so you’re not lost on class (basically: do the reading if there’s one ?), they house and feed you, you hang out with college students, visit the library, the gym, meet with the Dean. Being selected is a big deal and can multiply your odds of Admissions to that campus by two, or even three. If you match any of the above categories, I’ll list “fly ins” in a next post. You already get one check mark for “rural Tennessee” 
I haven’t reread your thread so I apologize if you indicated this earlier but have you taken AICE bio, physics, and chemistry?
I have contacted my counselor, the Lee counselor, and the Vanderbilt admissions counselor about validity of DE courses and future scheduling. When they respond, I will tell you.
Math 6, I believe, is Mathermatics - Further in AICE terminology (it’s supposed to be calculus), and has been regarded as significantly more advanced in comparison to Environmental Management. I wasn’t sure if I should stick to Environmental Management though, since I want to show colleges I favor the sciences. Perhaps I could do it via a college intro at Lee, like you mentioned.
In regards to fly-ins, I am a girl interested in STEM and neither of my parents went to college.
I only took AICE biology. Bradley does not offer AICE chemistry or physics, though I would take them if I could.
Do you have a way to take chemistry and physics even if not AICE?
AICE Maths/Further math is really advanced. It’d show more rigor than Environmental management. It seems they you’d have the ability (based on your ambitions and ACT score). If it’s too hard, do you have an alternative?
Fly-in possibilities upcoming.
Application up May 10, due June 17. Not sure it applies to you.
https://admissions.barnard.edu/barnard-bound
Another program with an upcoming May application:
http://www.brandeis.edu/admissions/seed/
Keep in mind (check the page regularly within the next 2 weeks since their applications aren’t uploaded yet. In most cases, you’ll need a copy of your transcript, your ACT score, and you’ll have to write essays).
https://mitadmissions.org/pages/wise/
https://www.hmc.edu/admission/fast/
(^These two colleges require Math6 or equivalent)
https://www.carleton.edu/admissions/visit/toc/
https://www.colgate.edu/admission-financial-aid/visit-colgate/open-house
https://www.bowdoin.edu/admissions/visit/explore-bowdoin/index.html
There are others, often due in August (that leaves you some time). I’ll post them when I find them.
I’ll stick with AICE maths.
I’ve begun constructing a possible summer and fall DE schedule at Lee/CSCC. Look at it and tell me what you think.
SUMMER (option 1):
- Beginning French 2 (virtual class, unknown time)
- Modern Western Culture (10:15 - 12:30) (this is basically Western Civ, right?)
- Intro to Philosophy (1:30 - 3:45)
FALL:
1: Personal Finance + Economics (8:15 - 9:45)
2: AICE Mathematics (9:50 - 11:10)
3: Intermediate French I (11:45 - 1:00) (only Tues and Thurs)
4: Intermediate French I Cafe (1:00 - 1:50) (only Wed)
5: Open Spot (must be filled for school, any class from 2:00 onward)
PROBLEMS: - Might have to drop summer STEM camp if it would cause me to fall behind in summer class
- Need 3rd block class for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday ranging time between 11:45 - 1:00
- Need 4th block class for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday ranging time between 11:45 - 1:00
- May lower 4.0 GPA, maybe not
SUMMER (option 2):
- Beginning French 2 (virtual class, unknown time)
- One or two science intro classes, please view below class list at Lee to choose some you think would be best for me
FALL:
1: Personal Finance + Economics (8:15 - 9:45)
2: AICE Mathematics (9:50 - 11:10)
3: Intermediate French I (11:45 - 1:00) (only Tues and Thurs)
4: Intro to Philosophy (1:10 - 2:25) (only Tues and Thurs)
5: Intermediate French I Cafe (4:00 - 4:50) (only Tues)
6: Modern Western Culture (6:00 - 8:50) (only Thurs)
PROBLEMS: - Need 3rd block class for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with ranging time from 11:45 to 1:00
- Need 4th block class for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with ranging time from 1:10 onward
- May lower 4.0 GPA, maybe not
Also, I wanted to ask if Modern Western Culture is the equivalent to Western Civ like you speak of? I see on the Lee fall class list that there are more Western classes.
I’d like you to take a look at the Lee summer and fall class lists to help me out with piecing the remaining pieces together for my schedule above as well as advise me on new paths.
You can view the undergraduate schedule lists here: http://www.leeuniversity.edu/publications/schedule.aspx
Please look at it and help me piece my possible schedule together. Of course, this could all change depending on what my school counselor tells me I’m allowed to do and what the Vanderbilt admissions counselor says they favor.
I’ll take a look at those fly ins. Will those help me to appeal to any college or just the college I fly into?
Also, before I email professors about unpaid lab internships, who exactly do I contact about labs? Just any biology professor or do I need to contact the office of academic affairs or someone else first?
Also, is there any other sciencey thing I can do? Should I focus on extracurriculars as well if I’m going to have this strong DE schedule? Will that be kind of an extracurricular or do I still need to do more out of school stuff?
Oh, and I’ve taken high school chemistry. The only physics course offered at high school is in the spring, and I can’t take it because im taking an AICE class that block
That’s too many courses for the summer. You should take a maximum of 2 (that’s a FULL load). If you have science camp or lab, take one only. You’ll likely have 2-3 hours of hw/reading/exercises for each class, every day.
See if you could take Environmental Science or Astronomy - email the professor and ask politely whether they might have a syllabus, so that you and your GC can evaluate whether it’s appropriate for a dual-enrolled HS Senior who’s hoping to become a science major. Perhaps take them at Cleveland CC?
Typically, because there’s MUCH less hand-holding in a college course and a lot more independeng reading, a TTH college course is equivalent to a MTWTHF HS course.
Modern Western Culture is an upper-level class that has pre-requisites. You can’t take it.
Perhaps take French 2 and Intro to Philosophy - but I think Intro to Philosophy Honors would be even better (Fall). Further, the Fall science courses don’t match your time slots…
So choose between Intro to Philosophy and Foundations of Western Culture, take only one of those OR take a science class over the summer.
There are two “General science” classes at Lee that cover Physics for non majors: Physical Science, and Earth&Space science. Unfortunately the schedule for Fall doesn’t match yours but keep it mind for the Spring. See whether it might work for Summer (taking French2 and Science ONLY). There’s also an Environmental Science Honors class, but it overlaps with French! Might Cleveland offer such classes (if you have access to a course schedule for Summer and Fall there?)
Intermediate French Cafe Tuesday 4-4:50pm sounds like the most flexible option, since it shouldn’t overlap with any class.
So, I’d go with this:
SUMMER
- Beginning French 2 (virtual class, unknown time)
- Intro to Philosophy (1:30 - 3:45) OR Astronomy OR Environmental Science OR Earth&Space science at Lee OR Physics at CC
FALL:
1: Personal Finance + Economics (8:15 - 9:45)
2: AICE Mathematics (9:50 - 11:10)
3: Intermediate French I (11:45 - 1:00) (only Tues and Thurs)
4: Intro to Philosophy Honors (?) OR MWF Science class at Cleveland CC (depending on what you chose for the summer)
- Intermediate French I Cafe (4:00 - 4:50) (only Tues)
(in “Additional information” on the CommonApp, you’d include this statement: I tried to make my schedule as strong in STEM as possible. However, due to some required High school courses overlapping with some science blocks, I could only take a limited number of science classes but thanks to the dual enrollment program, I did manage to double up in Math and Science without impacting my Humanities and Social Science choices." You’d have to write this on your bragsheet for your GC so that they can say so, too, in their recommendation).
SPRING:
- AICE math 6
- AICE Lit → since you’ve taken Philosophy , see whether there’s an AICE science you could take instead?
- AICE Global Perspectives (required)
- World History H (required)
- an English or science class (depending on what you take for 2nd block) from the CC?
The fly-ins only help you directly for the college that selected you (and remember, you need to apply to a lot to hope and get one or two). However, they help indirectly by teaching you the type of person highly selective colleges want, what the colleges are like, making you familiar and thus less intimidated. They often include interviews, where the first one is scary and then you know what to expect for the next one. They help by giving you advice that applies to their college but can be applied to many others.
Yes, unfortunately, you need to have very strong EC’s. It can be a steady job though.
For the lab work, you take the college’s directory and you email every professor in the Chemistry or Physics departments. IF 12 answer (there won’t be but…) you’ll likely have an interview. Then, if you have more than one offer, you can choose. But just one offer is what you’re after, and to get it you need to apply to every possible possibility
Okay, I’ll address everything else in a future post, but I’m about to send a bunch of emails regarding the lab (I have them saved in drafts) However, I’ve come across an email specifically regarding internships at Lee. It’s regarding student employment and is hintern@leeuniversity.edu. should I email this one first or go directly to all chemistry and physics professors without going to that email first? Also, should I contact biology professors too?
(Also there’s no other AICE classes at my school aside from the ones I’m taking and Environmental Management. No physics, no chemistry, nothing. Sucks, I know)
Here’s the draft for the intern email. Introduction will be revised for professors.
Greetings,
I had found this email on the Lee University directory in my quest to secure a position as an unpaid intern in a lab environment and wanted to check if this was the proper email to send the message to. If not, please direct me to professors in the Chemistry/Physics departments and I will email them from there.
If, however, this is the correct email, then I would like to inform whomever this may concern that I am currently (last time I checked) the saluditorian at XXX High School in the class of 2020, with a full Cambridge course schedule, a self studied AP course (and experience with two AP courses prior), and future enrollment in Dual Enrollment classes at this very school. I also have a first-time 34 ACT score and a 4.0 GPA. I adore the learning process and aspire to become a highly influential scientist/researcher or even a professor in biochemistry/cellular/human biology. However, to achieve my goal of influencing the world, I need your assistance.
I’m not here to puff out my chest and stroke my own ego. I’m here to seek an opportunity - an intern at a laboratory during the summer. I recognize that, with my age, I would only be performing unpaid, routine tasks, but I would do such tasks reliably to save any chemistry/physics professor valuable time for more important matters that I could observe. In turn, I would become educated about what the field requires and would then be able to decide if I want to pursue a career regarding this knowledge. I would be available starting May 25th to August 5th at any time you need me. If you need a recommendation, I would be happy to provide it.
Thank you for your time and I hope earnestly that you consider my offer.
I will drop Western Civ for Philosophy, and I will likely take it in the summer since it is an all weekday schedule (M-F) and will be more rigorous and engrossing.
However, if I get a lab offer, I’ll take it in the fall. This still doesn’t answer my concern: if I don’t get an all week course during the fall (M-F), what am I going to take for the days I have off from the class?
If I were to take PM CC classes, the only options I have are these:
FALL:
Intro to Bio (6:00 - 7:20 PM) (Tues, Thurs)
Intro to Bio Lab (7:30 - 9:30 PM) (Tues)
(Theres also a lab I could use for 4th block at 1:30 to 3:30 but I don’t know if I can take the lab before the actual class. Also, I don’t know if I’m allowed to have a 4th block not in the actual school day, which is why I was considering the 1:30 to 3:30 lab. I’ve also taken AICE bio II, so would this be redundant?)
Human Anatomy/Phys I (6:00 - 7:20 PM)(Tues, Thurs)
Human Anatomy/Phys I Lab (7:30 - 8:50 PM) (Tues, Thurs)
(This has the same concerns as biology except I’ve never taken A and P)
Microbiology (6:00 - 7:20 PM) (Tues, Thurs)
Microbiology Lab (7:30 - 8:50 PM) (Tues, Thurs)
(Same concerns as previous)
Introductory Chemistry I (1:30 - 2:50 PM) (Mon, Wed)
Introductory Chemistry I Lab (4:30 - 5:50 PM) (Wed)
(This one could really work. I like this one except it’s not all week so I’d have to supplement or something)
SPRING (these would be strictly after the school day because my schedule cannot change):
Introductory Chemistry I (6:00 - 9:00 PM) (Mon)
Introductory Chemistry I Lab (6:00 - 7:50 PM) (Tue)
( I really don’t think I want to do this because of how loaded my schedule is with AICE in spring)
Regarding philosophy, none of CSCC’s classes fit my schedule. I’d rather take Lee’s.
The Vanderbilt admissions counselor responded to me. Here’s what she said:
Hello Kelsey,
Thank you for your email and your interest in Vanderbilt! To your question, we do consider the rigor of dual enrollment classes and appreciate when students seek out challenge. That said, you are correct, that students typically do not receive class credit at Vanderbilt for dual enrollment classes. To your second question, I think the curriculum choice is likely best discussed with your high school counselor, since that choice takes so many factors into account, as to what is best for you and your goals, etc. That said, specifically for Vanderbilt, if you have both AP and dual-enrollment classes available, I would recommend the AP track, especially because you can receive credit at Vanderbilt for AP classes, depending on the score you receive on the exam. You can read about the pre-college credit process here: https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/academics/ap-ib.php. (I don’t have AP, but is this an indication that I should self study one? With dual enrollment in tandem I think it would be very hard…They also say credit it awarded only for A level exams. Should I be worried since I only have AS level, or will my AICE certificate help?)
Again, I do think it’s a conversation best had with your high school counselors, since this is only Vanderbilt-specific insight. As far as activities are concerned, we don’t necessarily value one kind over the other, but we are looking for students who have been involved in their community and have made an impact through their participation. (This scares me, and I desperately want to improve this.) I will say that, if you have not yet visited campus, I think that would be a great way to hear more about both the campus and the admissions process. If you are interested, you can register for any of our visit days/programs through our website here: https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/visit/.
I do hope it’s at least somewhat helpful to you!
Kind regards,
Mary Beth
I’ll keep your info in mind on fly ins, and don’t hesitate to tell me about more of those whenever you find them ?
The problem with the Lee science classes you listed is that they all assume prior knowledge (many will have had AICE or Ap before taking them). They’ll be populated with super competitive pre-meds who know only 10-20% will get an A. Therefore taking one of those would likely be negative for you (both in terms of learning experience and grade).
Do you have a job?
Those were Cleveland State Community College classes. Lee is far less flexible when it comes to science classes.
Yes, I have a job. I work part time as a hostess at an upscale pizza joint. I’ve been there for about a year now, so I’m generally considered one of the best and most loyal hosts there. I would like a job more narrowed to my interests concerning the sciences or even writing, but I’ve had no luck in job searching. All that’s readily available are restaurant positions.
A steady job where you are appreciated is good. You can even get a recommendation if you think the manager can highlight qualities school work doesn’t.
Ok then if at Cleveland State it’s better. Unlikely you’ll be competing with students who had the AP class already and are all gunning for a few As.
Write back to Vanderbilt and explain your school has zero AP. Would they prefer you self study a couple APs or take a dual enrollment class?
Wrote back to the counselor. Will get back to you on that.
Could you answer my question about the lab email earlier in the thread? I have drafts prepared.
Should I try to pursue a job with niched interests like science or writing or should I stick with the one I have?