Trouble with online application...help please

Applying to College
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<p>Sorry if you already read this....it's just that I posted this same thing under the wrong title (completely!! unrelated to this)</p>

<p>I'm trying to apply online to the UC's, but I'm having some problems understanding what to do... I'd really appreciate some help.</p>

<p>first, I'm not sure what their asking for (school info section) is it about EC's:
Specialized Curriculum/Year-Round Information
If you participated in specialized curricular programs in high school, check as many boxes as apply. You may provide details about your involvement in your personal statement, if desired.<br>
Magnet<br>
Academy<br>
Year-Round
Specify track
( )<br>
Home School<br>
Independent Study<br>
Other
Please specify
( )</p>

<p>what's year round? sorry...I'm really clueless. </p>

<p>Also,
I go to school in Korea, and my school doesn't offer any AP or honors classes. All the students of my school have to take the same 10 subjects (4 science subjects, all the math from algebra to trig to calculus, some language subjects, and P.E.). They're not labled as honors, but they're way~~~~~more challenging than the Pre-AP/AP classes I took in the U.S. (at a public school though)
So....should I just mark them as "not honors"....wouldn't that put me at a disadvantage?</p>

<p>And, should I try to explain that I wasn't able to take AP classes/exams because they weren'r offered to me???
would that sound like an excuse?</p>

<p>Please give me some advice.
Thanks :)</p>

<p>OH, and if you have time, can you evaluate my chances at the UC's??
stats: SAT 1 (CR 750 M 800 W 780)
SAT II Bio 780
Chem (haven't received scores yet; pretty sure got a 750+), Math II(taking in Dec; hoping for 750+)
EC's: various leadership positions in newspaper, choir, student government; tutoring for free; church youth leader/piano accompanist/ song leader; school music director (weird thing we have at my school); volunteer at international science festival; I was in drill team back in the U.S. (but I guess that's not much :( It's just that I think I should have something related to sports since I look like I'm physically inactive, but that's only because my school doesn't have any female sports teams or drill team or cheerleaders or anything which really sucks!)
Awards: several first prize awards for singing; several academic awards my school gives (nothing big I guess, since it's in school); chemistry olympiad; 1st for choir regionals (2 consecutive years)/ 3rd for nationals.
I guess I don't really have anything special going for me...</p>

<p>anyway, help :( :)</p>

2

<p>can i get some advice from anyone??:(</p>

3

<p>Hi jh12000. I don't know much about UC admissions, but I can answer some of your general questions about what the application is asking:</p>

<p>This question is not about ECs, but about classes and academic programs (something like IB- international baccalaureate- would be a "specialized curricular program". Year-round just means that your school meets all year long, instead of having a long summer vacation like most US schools do. It could still have shorter holiday breaks and breaks between terms. </p>

<p>They also want to know if your school has a special focus. These schools are called "Magnet" schools in the US. Some typical magnet programs are math/science/technology or fine arts/performing arts. Students at those schools still study all subjects, but they emphasize certain subjects more. If your high school is highly selective (you have to test into it) you should be sure to mention that. </p>

<p>You schould probably not put "honors" if your classes were not labelled that way. If most of your school goes on to college, you could label your track as "college prep". You should also note somewhere on the application that you are taking the "most rigorous" classes offered. (most rigorous=hardest). That is what top colleges are looking for.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much :)</p>

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<p>Nwestmom...sorry to bother you again.
If I mark my school as year-round I need to "specify a track"?
I'm not sure what that means...do you have any idea?</p>

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<p>Sorry--I don't. As far as I know, "track" usually means something like honors, college prep, or vocational. What it means in connection with year-round, I am not sure. Perhaps it has some specific meaning in regard to California year-round schools. I think I would just leave it blank or put college-prep.</p>

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<p>Thanks again Nwestmom :)</p>

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<p>whups, Track means when do you get in and out of school because there are three different types but there's the year round that's just year round...sooooo</p>

<p>after reviving this dead topic which i am sorry for it's, kinda like this, though i don't really know the specs</p>

<p>Track A = starts some date - ends some date
Track B = starts two months after - ends two months after
Track C = starts two months before - ends two months before</p>

<p>then there's the year round that's just year round (me) who starts in July and ends in June.</p>

<p>Anyhoo since you're in Korea and tick the Year round square =)</p>

9

<p>Thanks hoplite :)
I have another question for anyone that can answer it:
when I write about a EC that I'm passionate about, is it bad that it's completely unrelated to what I want to major in?
For instance, passion: music/ major: biology</p>

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<p>probably not. i know some people who majored in computer engineering and still play in the college marching and pep band. </p>

<p>well, point is, just because you wanna major in something else does not mean you should be limited in other fields as well. i would think that that would be a plus.</p>

<p>in any case that's just my opinion it could it could not. but i'm going in undeclared and prolly going in to either medicine or computer engineering and all i'm writing about in my personal statement is Music and Physics <em>shrug</em></p>

<p>anyone can answer this for me too? =)</p>

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<p>Doesn't matter if your essay on what you're passionate about is different from your major. It would probably help paint a more complete picture of you.
As far as your chances go, if your grades are on par with your Test scores and EC you have a good chance at all the UCs.</p>

<p>I think theres a section on the UC app where you can explain special circumstances. Thats probably where you can explain why you haven't had APs.</p>

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<p>Thanks hoplite and b151 :)</p>

<p>And I wish I could state undeclared but Berkeley doesn't let its applicants do that :(
I think out of the UC's I'm applying to, only one let me state my major as undeclared :P</p>