<p>Do you think its worthwhile to encourage my D, currently a sophomore, to continue to study for next year's usabo? She missed the semis by 2 questions. No bio on her schedule next year as she's taking ap this year. IYO is the usabo highly thought of by top schools? thanks for any thoughts on this you may have.</p>
<p>Just some imput:
1. AP Bio is very facts/memorization based, might be hard to keep studying it while not taking more Bio.
Unless there is a related course such as physiology or anatomy or plant science etc. that your D can take.
2. Making Semi is a good achievement, but ~500/year make it so not quite that unique.
The top 20 who become Finalists will definitely get the attention during college appl process.
3. Your D might be better off to concentrate on what she'll do next year in school & EC's.</p>
<p>thanks fbc001. They have honors human anatomy & physiology and AP environmental science and but she's sticking with honors choir as her only elective (religion takes up the other period). I didn't realize how much religion impacts the scheduling options until now. There ought to be a way to take it in an accelerated form of some kind so kids don't lose an elective...Not going to happen at her school though.</p>
<p>btw, this year's semi cutoff score went up by 2 pts.
So your D would have made it last year!
But really not worth the worries; USABO is quite recent and not that many students participate in it.</p>
<p>There are many other ways for her to be a standout,
the best way is to pursue something that she feels very strongly about and then doing the best she can at it.
Good luck!</p>
<p>I would say go for it, it's very possible to make semis, and only missing by 2 questions means that she's capable!</p>
<p>it's doable, but is it the best use of your daughter's time? In order to ensure making semis plus have a shot at the camp, she would basically have to study for it as if she was taking an extra course. Is her interest in biology strong enough to warrent that, or would she be more motivated to try to excel elsewhere?</p>
<p>I'm thinking along & agree with texas' line:</p>
<ol>
<li>The semi cutoff is a moving target and can change every year.
Last year was 24, this year is 26, next year??</li>
<li>HS junior year regular course load will be demanding: pre-calc/calc/physics/AP classes.....
Doing well academically is very important, actually that's what (most) colleges say - that they look at the 4-year records foremost for a picture of consistent & sustained excellence.</li>
<li>Within what she will do next year, do the best she can at the highest level.
That will stand out her. Then add other competitions/ECs/awards/research/....</li>
</ol>
<p>if she loves bio, let her study for it. if she's enthusiastic enough about the subject she'll find time for it. but don't push her into studying bio just because the USABO may seem prestigious... she could put that time to doing other competitions and so forth that she'd be more interested in...</p>
<p>well well well.... ;)</p>
<p>Thanks for all your input. It's definititely up to her. Like you said, junior year is difficult for everyone. She is working as a student volunteer, at the absolute lowest level possible, at a research institute associated with our local state university after school and this coming summer. That will give her an idea of what goes on in at least one type of lab. Maybe that will inspire her further.</p>
<p>I'm a sophomore who has never taken bio - it is possible for me to make semifinals next year with some IB Bio and some self-study? Or should I just aim elsewhere? (and while I am concentrating on science/math, I am not particularly good in any one area so I'm open to anything). Is USABO mostly scientific reasoning?</p>