<p>Actually, IMO, even if you are a sophomore, its not a bad idea to take slipper's advice, except the "Forget HYPS" since, you have a little more time, do something "special". </p>
<p>It's common sense. Think as if there are 20,000 others out there with your EXACT stats, and go from there.</p>
<p>True, HYPS and the other Ivies become more realistic with a higher rank, SAT, or an incredible hook. You have time to get these.</p>
<p>I've always heard people talk about "hooks" and URMs, etc. What are those?</p>
<p>hooks = something that kind of "hook" you on for admission..</p>
<p>URM- under represented minority, you're Asian, you're definately not included in that category.</p>
<p>oh well... it was worth a shot :).</p>
<p>I'm kind of confused on just one point.</p>
<p>As a sophomore, how did you get into English 11th? And you have 2 physics classes? Honors Physics and, Physics C? Why?
Just curious, could be you took a test to get in or something..</p>
<p>How the hell did you get Calc AB as a freshman?</p>
<p>And I thought I was good for getting algebra I in 7th grade.</p>
<p>I mean do you really have to ask? </p>
<p>You're a sophmore, you still have a ton of time. You could become a pothead over the next year, and flunk everything (or get straight A's...). Not saying that you would, but things like that can happen. </p>
<p>Slow it down, and enjoy life some.</p>
<p>Hey. dont forget about HYPS...why should she?! I mean dont you think that if she really has a drive and wants to go she can study for her SATS... Do REAL well (1550+, or high 700s on SAT 2s)? Her course selcetion is great and it seems lke she is taking very hard classes. However, you must be like the one billionth asian math and sience wiz who has played the piano for a billion years and is on varsity tennis. because you seem to be on the top at your school it doesnt mean that youll remain in that statues when compared to other "on the top at their school" type ppl.Im not tring to be mean, but over the next two years you have to distinguish your self over the rest. Don't do this while considering only what would look good on your apps. but think of something that you see your self excelling at on the highest level. Persue it to the depth and if you suceed at somethign that you like and its not something like piano or varsity tennis ( because too many ppl have already been down that road) then im pretty sure that with some luck you are all set for where ever you want to be. My point is, dont waste to much time fretting over college from now, work hard on makeing your self shine and be sure that you are doing what you love - and then who know i mean HYPS doesnt consist of mutants, people-normal ones..yes NORMAL ones- do go there, so who knows eh?!</p>
<p>Visirale, not sure where you have been, the majority of my friends either got into Calc AB or Pre-calc as a freshman.</p>
<p>But got_rice still hasn't answered my question from before.</p>
<p>
[quote]
In sum, forget HYPS. </p>
<p>As BIG reaches choose THREE of: Penn, Brown, Dartmouth, Penn, Duke, Cornell (the most realistic, a must have).</p>
<p>As MINOR reaches choose THREE-FOUR: UVA, Rice, Northwestern (sort of a big reach), WUSTL, Emory, JHU, Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>As real matches choose THREE: Michigan (early in the cycle), Wake Forest, Vassar, Tufts, Middlebury, etc.</p>
<p>As safeties choose TWO: Whatever you want.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This is really good advice. This is some of the most useful advice I've heard in a long time. Nice focusing of the original poster's college choices.</p>
<p>Joey</p>
<p>I'm in the IB program, and Calc AB is reserved for first year higher level math students, or second year standard level students (11th and 12th grade respectively...).</p>
<p>not in the IB program that I'm in. Must be different, but I don't see a point in limiting students that way, since they can just take it in a CC if they wanted to, since most IB students generally excel at Math.</p>
<p>tami, i'm in honors 11th because that's how our IB program works. in the 11th grade we take AP english and in 12th grade we take IB english. yes, i did have to take a test to get into the program... and as far as my physics class goes, i was originally signed up for honors physics because i took honors chemistry last year, but then my physics teacher told me that they were offering a physics c class after school and i thought i might as well try it. and as far as the calc thing goes, our school's pretty flexible on allowing students to take whatever classes they want if they can handle it. in my freshman year, there were probably 3 freshmen in Calc AB and 3 in Calc BC... some kid ended up taking IB Math Methods his freshman year too...</p>
<p>"How the hell did you get Calc AB as a freshman?"</p>
<p>I know someone who took BC as a freshman.</p>
<p>Wow. They must really love math. </p>
<p>I'm the "most advanced" math person in my class, and I'm in pre-calc as a sophmore. Even though that sounds like nothing compare to you all, I've taken the most rigorous high school classes offered since 7th grade. They are NOT flexible AT ALL with IB scheduling. My counselor hates the fact that I'm taking two IB classes as a sophmore... She has this whole "IB classes should be taken in the junior and senior year only" complex.</p>
<p>Doesn't matter to me though, I hate math, but I'm good at it. I've always considered myself a more sociology or arts centered person.</p>
<p>is IB above AP or is pretty much the same thing?</p>
<p>You can't really put IB and AP above one another, even though my counselor believes that IB is more difficult. In my school, some IB classes are MUCH harder than AP, and others are the opposite. (example, AP Biology covers in 1 year what IB biology covers in 2)</p>
<p>IB is for students talented overall, where as AP is for students with strengths in a focused area. Basically, you're comparing which is better, lopsides or well-rounded?</p>
<p>Some go for one, others go for the other.</p>
<p>got_rice,
slipper's advice is excellent if you want high-quality options in a couple of years. It's not that you have no chance at HYP, its just that its such a lottery. Apply where ever you want (as long as you have safeties), but every application that you do takes time and energy, and the question is, do you really want to pour your heart and soul into something that has an extremely small chance of a positive outcome. </p>
<p>If you are a risk-taker, and will never forgive yourself if you don't give it a shot - apply. If you are more conservative, and don't like the looks of the admissions statistics at HYPS when you are ready to apply - then ditch HYPS and don't give it a second though. When we did our spring tour last we, we walked through Harvard yard, and I mentioned that it would be a nice place to go to grad school. And so it would be. </p>
<p>Congratulations on your wonderful academic acheivements thus far, and best wishes on the PSAT's this fall. Hope you nail 'em!</p>