Good afternoon everyone! I’ve got an update for you all. My final grade for my history class at community college ended up being an A. I cannot tell you how happy I was when I saw that cumulative GPA of “4.000” displayed on the screen. I never thought I would be able to accomplish this, let alone finish high school at one point. Though I am immensely proud and happy, there is no time to waste. I start the fall semester on the 6th of September and I cannot wait! I have 15 credits and my classes are all very interesting. I’m taking Biology with a lab, chemistry with a lab, English composition, and pre-calculus. My English professor has put up all of the readings for the semester, so I am currently reading those and annotating them. I am using sparknotes and other easy level materials for the other courses. I’m working my way up to more difficult material so that I can be ready and in shape for the semester. I’m just excited to see what’s in store for the semester. I can’t wait to be on campus when it’s more alive and there are more people and opportunities.
Try finding the books ahead of time - ou’ll use them both semesters (bio and chemistry) so you should compare used costs vs. Renting x2.
I am impressed with your maturity and attitude.
Start looking for an on-campus job and clubs out could join. Being involved in the college and making an impact in our community will become very important.
If you want already, check out ’ the naked roommate ’ - not for the room mate part, but for everything else about college!
Congratulations on continuing your education! As a high school student who is in a dual enrollment program at a community college, I can say that community colleges can offer wonderful opportunities to students, sometimes even better than some 4 year universities. I think your professors will be thrilled with your enthusiasm for learning, and most of the professors I’ve had are more than happy to give extra help, talk with you after class, work on independent projects, etc.
I understand your feeling of disappointment of not going to a necessarily “prestigious” university but, in the long run, it doesn’t matter as much as you think. My dad works in the upper-level of his career field, and he has met both brilliant people who went to a “no-name” or regional university, and many stupid people who went to Ivy leagues or their equivalents. He has also said that after his first job, none of his employers even cared about what college he went to; They were more concerned with what he had done in the meantime.
I haven’t graduated from high school yet so I don’t have much experience in this area but, college is really more about YOU than the college itself. It seems like you have a really good head on your shoulders. Good luck with your future endeavors!
@mrskite thank you so much for the kind words and the wonderful advice! You are quite insightful and knowledgeable. Best of luck with your future endeavors and the college process!
Hey everyone! So I have another update for you all. I was recently accepted into a selective charity club/program for community service. I was very surprised and I’m very excited about the opportunity. I have so many ideas and I cannot wait to just jump into that.
I am also very excited about the school year. Two of my professors (English and bio) have posted content for courses online. I have found time to start and finish many English readings, as they are all up. I’ve mostly been doing this at home or in the lobby of Hunter College. I guess being there, since my friend did not want to be alone in the city for his first week, is very inspirational to me. I look around me and realize that with hard work and perseverance, I too can possibly end up at a good school like Hunter. It’s so easy to focus in their lobby/cafe area, as it is a college atmosphere. I was just so happy when I checked the shared files for my biology class and saw that my professor posted nearly all of the lab documents and chapter powerpoints. I am currently going through these and annotating them so that when I get to lectures, I focus on what the professor herself is saying. I just need to purchase the books and all will be well. I have been reading this excellent cliff notes book on bio and I have been using khan academy and the Utah genetics site to do some fun supplemental reading and further understand the subject I really want to get into. I am still hell bent on becoming a surgeon, yet I have developed a passion for politics. Perhaps public health policy would be interesting to explore, as I do seem to feel some sort of obligation to fix things. I don’t know, I have time. All I know is that I’m in an excellent place right now. I may be at community college, but it feels as if the world is my oyster.
Yes, you’re at an excellent place.
Congratulations on the selective program.
And what a thoughtful way to start Fall, helping a friend and soaking in the atmosphere at a city college.
And if you do very well, you could apply to top colleges that meet need and take/promised to take more cc transfers like Cornell, Yale, Vanderbilt, and Princeton - they’re*very *hard to get into, but if you get in it’s very rewarding.
I admire your curiosity and interest in learning. It’s a quality all professors look for. You could email your professors and start asking questions about what you’ve read.
Good afternoon everyone! Today was my first day of the fall semester. It was fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though I only had two classes today. This morning I had English Composition which was great. We have homework that is due on Thursday. Naturally I am completing it today, as I want to remain organized and start off strong this semester. I like my professor already. He’s straightforward and carries that mentality that if you do your work and just participate, you will learn something. This was excellent to hear as I walked in there prepared and ready to get to work. I’m opening my mind and getting ready to hunker down and learn something new. I had some time in between which is always good. I had chemistry lab as well and it was quite the wake up call. The professor is very strict and holds us accountable for very much. While many students in the course seem to dislike her, I appreciate her methods and think she’s fantastic. I appreciate this opportunity to exercise independence. She is trusting us with so many interesting (and dangerous haha) chemicals. My high school’s science department was terrible and we had barely learned any chemistry. I’m just excited and ready to delve deeper into the topic even though it’s just general chemistry 1 and the labs don’t seem too complex. I’ve already done some pre lab sheets within the manual and I find that I’m really enjoying doing the work. Tomorrow I have biology lab, precalc, and chemistry lecture. I’m so excited and I cannot wait to meet new people and just dive into more learning.
I have my first volunteering shifts this week and I’m attending a statewide conference on poverty and social justice (not the Tumblr type xD) in 11 days and I am immensely excited.
While it’s important to focus on where I am at the moment, I’m finding that I’m really falling in love with Columbia in NYC and Hunter College. I think I’m the type that just really loves the city. I still have time to research more schools there. I guess I have time and I need to enjoy this wonderful golden opportunity that is community college.
Don’t forget to go to Office Hours!
How was Biology Lab?
Precalc okay?
Do report on the povery and social justice conference!
(Loved the “not the Tumblr type” comment)
So my second
Update everyone! My second set of classes was absolutely fantastic. My biology lab was absolute fun even though we did not really do that much. We just went over the basics of experimental design. My bio lab professor also happens to me my bio lecture professor; I already love her. She is so passionate about her job and the subject of bio. She has a Ph.D in the subject and has only missed class may 3-4 times in her entire 20 year career thus far. She is also very open minded and very willing to help. My precalc teacher is kind of annoying but she’s quite entertaining, as she is very eccentric and passionate about mathematics. She does exaggerate the rigor of the course. Perhaps I only feel this way because I have taken algebra 2, trigonometry, and a very watered down pre Calc class in my school. I am only in this class because people exempt from placement tests can only go as high as pre Calc or stats. It’s all good though. Slow and steady wins the race and a review will probably be imperative for calculus. Chemistry was beautiful. My high school’s science department was inadequate and I “kind of” learned chemistry. When I said this to my Chem professor, she proceeded to let me know that there is a 25% national failure rate for gen Chem and that I am going to have to work very hard. I’m ready for this challenge though. I’ve settled and slacked off too many times in my life to simply give up. It’s time for something new, a new experience. This new experience entails taking a risk, hunkering down like a trooper, and working hard to understand the central science that is chemistry. Yikes! Did I mention the fact that my Chem professor is also my advisor? Maybe this will benefit me in the long run as she can guide me due to direct access to my abilities and work.
Things are just getting started with the organization I’m in. I will absolutely let you know all about the convention @MYOS1634 . I am very excited about going. This is a chance to learn and see the world.
I’m still dreaming of Columbia but simultaneously remaining pragmatic. I am used to rejection (quite blatantly obviously if one reads the first few posts of this thread). I’ve seen INCREDIBLE applicants on the 2016 transfer thread for Columbia on here simply get rejected although they would thrive there. I have back ups and I many reapply to 1-3 of those schools that rejected me. Maybe they’ll appreciate the perseverance. They can do that alright; they can appreciate your story, where you have come from, and what you’re all about in this life. That however doesn’t guarantee an acceptance. I’ve learned it the hard way. Now normally a person such as myself would go into the admissions process the 2nd time around thinking that with better grades and test scores they would automatically garner admission from these schools. This however isn’t true. The entire plan needs to be changed, the entire mindset needs to be changed. If I simply remained the girl who works 40 hours a week and goes to school, then what growth is going on? If I know that didn’t work for me and I’m aware that there are other people out there in the world like me whose main focus is survival, then I ought to go out and help those people. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today had I really had that support. In short, I’m growing and learning, but that doesn’t guarantee an acceptance to a school like Columbia and frankly, it doesn’t matter all that much. This need to help people is what’s going to guide me this year (more like this lifetime). I know I’ve just rambled. Sue me, I am just very excited and enthusiastic about what the year has in store for myself.
I’m just now reading your story. You are an impressive person. Be aware that NJMS provides an excellent medical education. Your best bet may be to aim for Rutgers, then NJMS. Best of luck to you!!
You’ve studied ahead in chemistry and biology so that the obstacles shouldn’t be impossible - at least, you know they’re there.
Look into Barnard. It’s a terrific college right in NYC. Remember also that there are many colleges in cities or near cities. And now you’re on cc so people can help you figure out where you can apply.
Looking forward to the reports on the conference.
@twinsmama Thank you so much for checking out my little thread here. Additionally I would like to thank you for the advice about Rutgers. I will absolutely apply as I’m not very likely to gain admission into Columbia (let’s call this pragmatism rather than pessimism). I think RWJ and Rutgers are amazing and offer many resources for the budding scientist/physician in me.
@MYOS1634 Thank for your continued guidance. I have looked into Barnard and I think it’s a fantastic school. Though it’s not exactly Columbia, it obviously must be very similar and one apparently is able to take courses at Columbia. As for the conference, I’ve got more info. The club advisor has specifically scheduled me for the youth literacy seminar, as that is what my volunteering is mainly focused on. It’s going to be an early and long day, but sacrifices (even small ones that include waking up early), must be made if one wishes to better the world.
Perhaps you can reward yourself for a job well done by sleeping in the next day, and planning nothing at all for the morning?
Update everyone!
I just came back from the conference I went to. If I’m going to be honest, it truly wasn’t what I expected. We did not really talk about the issues impacting our communities. It was mostly talking about strategies and going from issue to impact. I wanted to learn more about the causes of the issues we are tackling. It was still fun and very enjoyable. The bagels they provided were also excellent (XD). I bonded very well with a member of from my own college over the fact that we were the only ones who followed the business professional dress code. She happens to be VERY studious, she has a 4.0, and she’s an officer of our PTK chapter. She is highly accomplished and a very kind human being. She is a year older than myself so she will be transferring soon. I truly wish her the best of luck and I know she will succeed. I think it’s excellent to have made a friend who has the same goals as me and who is very concerned with her studies. Having these positive influences seems like a very good thing.
I find myself wanting to do more for the service organization though. I find that there is so much to do and that we can accomplish so much. The wannabe politician in me is ultimately fueling this. I just think it goes beyond the strategies they presented at the conference. While I will be open minded and attempt to implement some of them, I will do my research, come up with my own methods, and ultimately find myself through the service of others.
I find that I am falling in love with the city more as time progresses. Just to be pragmatic, I called Columbia’s neuroscience department. I’m not as behind as I assumed. I learned that their intro bio course is one of the most comprehensive in the nation. Apparently most every neuro major takes it their sophomore year, as they are taking gen Chem during their freshman year, just like myself. Essentially, my course load with a general bio class this year will only be advantageous should I get into and attend Columbia.
I’m personally very excited for this year and I am remaining positive. I have had to change around my hours at work, but it is working out for me. I just love the fact that I am tired at the end of each night. I sleep better nowadays. I must be doing something correctly.
Good evening everyone! So far I am really loving college. Being in this environment has reminded me that I’m not the smartest person in the room and that people call from all walks of life. There is so much to learn and so many people to meet/stories to hear.
I’m learning legitimate science right now. My HS’s science department was a joke for the most part, so I find it very interesting and exciting to finally be learning the correct methods and the correct facts. Though a lot of the material (esp chemistry) is new to me and more rigid than I realize, it’s not too difficult if I apply myself and really work at it. I’m trying to spend 5-10 hours per week on studying for this course as it is very important for me to know, it’s very interesting, and it’s possibly the most important class on my transcript for the major I wish to pursue if I ever, by some miracle, gained admission to Columbia.
With that being said, my other courses are of great importance to me as well. One of my main goals this semester is to maintain a 3.5 or above GPA and make it into PTK, the honors society. It seems very possible right now. I just need to keep up the positivity and the work ethic. One can be intelligent, but what is he/she really doing if they never apply it?
I find that I’m asking more questions, consulting friends, befriending people that truly do care about going somewhere in life, I’m managing my time well and taking advantage of these gaps I have in between my courses to study. I’m really working hard and it feels good. Dreams that I once believed were so far away now seem within my reach. I have goals and I have the drive to accomplish them.
Thank-you for telling us about the conference. Are you part of an on-campus or off-campus group that deals with these issues?
Chemistry is really difficult at first. You can’t get discouraged and always go to office hours with questions about what you struggled with or what you found especially interesting. It sounds like you have a good method to conquer that content. And I have no doubt you’ll get that 3.5 
Good evening everyone! I have another update for you all!
I have had two exams so far. One in chemistry and one in biology. I didn’t do so hotly on my chemistry exam, but the prof says she’s dropping the lowest exam grade, which means that I had to work extra hard, like Alexander Hamilton hard during this semester. I am just happy that I am legitimately learning chemistry for once. I have been doing very well in my labs and I am surprisingly earning the highest grades in the class (the Chem lab class). I am just very happy because I am actually working hard in every lab report and this professor is a very tough grader. Everyone consistently states that it’s impossible to earn an A; “impossible” just means one has to work harder than before and step out of their comfort zone. Working hard and thinking critically and scientifically is what’s helping me. I figure that in order to work in a lab and conquer the unknown frontiers of science, I must not be afraid of the lab and making mistakes. I just love chemistry and science.
Biology has been going very well. I had an exam on Wednesday and it was very easy in my opinion. We had an hour to complete it, but I finished in 20 minutes. I ended up with an A. I know I am good at this subject and I know I care very much about it. The professor is choosing 3 people in this class to be in her super difficult research bio level 2 class. I think I am capable but she hasn’t seemed to consider me. I take the course very seriously but I don’t think she sees it. I finished the exam first and aced it. Maybe she will approach me on Monday. She has approached 3 people in the class so far and they seem like her favorite picks for the class. I don’t want to let that phase me. It’s time to be competitive. I’ve been listening to the Hamilton soundtrack whenever I study, or whenever I need some inspiration. I know we can argue that Hamilton did some questionable things; his story is still very inspirational and he beat the odds. It’s time for me to be like Hamilton. I need to beat the odds, beat the competition, and prove myself. Overall college has been going very well. I still have that summer semester 4.0 and I intend to keep it up. Things have been going very well with the club I am in. @MYOS1634 the group operates on campus and the site I have been volunteering at is on campus as well. I have been completing 10 hours a week of volunteering and I am enjoying it very much. I want to have a bigger, positive impact. I was thinking of starting a program within the site. It emphasizes some of our key ideas. It’s going to take a lot of individual effort and research. I’m personally excited for the opportunity to improve lives though. Well I’ll have another update for you all soon. There are units to start and math exams to study for!
Taking chemistry and biology together is tough.
Doing well in both is a good sign.
Don’t hesitate to go and volunteer - don’t wait till you’re approached. Sometimes professors self censor without realizing it when it comes to young women of color (“she may have heavy responsibilities at home”) or don’t think out of the box (‘whoever sits the two front rows’.) If she says she has her three, ask if she could make them four this year, or put you as an alternate.