<p>makeyourself, isn't that expensive? I think that you should find the schools you like that look good on paper. Do a lot of research (which includes talking to students online, if you can find them) and then go visit the schools.</p>
<p>What? Visiting all the college campuses? Hah. To be honest with you, I think there is NOTHING better than visiting a school. I thought I was sure about applying to Bradley University as a safety but after visiting it I won't even apply to it as a safety! I just didn't like it. </p>
<p>And it actually won't be time consuming or expensive. I probably will visit about 10-15 schools... and geographically speaking, I live in a great area. Northwest suburbs of Chicago. And as I want to stay in the midwest, I'm not going far in either direction. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio have all of the schools I'm interested in and I'm pretty much smack-dab in the middle. And surprisingly a lot of them are close together. I know Illinois Wesleyan and Augustana are maybe an hour away form each other. I'm expecting to hit two in one day for quite a few schools.</p>
<p>Research, class, job, or saving lives.</p>
<p>I'm researching at U.S. Naval Research Lab.</p>
<p>I think you should definitely visit some schools. Besides that, wow, I didn't do any of that--no trips to China, no research--I feel kind of bad, but I would suggest that whatever else you do, you should always read something impressive over the summer. College apps always ask what you did over the summer, and I added something that I read. It shows that "learning doesn't stop outside the classroom."</p>
<p>is it really stupid for me to just apply to us colleges without visiting campus? Cause I'm an international... and its sort of difficult to finance and arrange such a thing when I am so busy..</p>
<p>JaiJai12: No it's not "stupid". Everyone has different considerations and plans so do what you think works best for you. You have to be prepared to work harder in obtaining information from secondary resources, though.</p>
<p>My plans for the 2-month summer:</p>
<p>6-week internship at the Grand Hyatt hotel - finance dept.
Research and write EE for IB diploma
Write World Lit 2 for IB English
Visit campuses for 2~3 weeks</p>
<p>what I meant was projecting the idea that colleges will separate you as important and vital to their school because you started doing internships when you were 8 is unreasonable and...retarded, frankly. The majority of people don't have money to throw away on unpaid internships and as for paid internships, they are pretty hard to get for college students--good luck as a highschooler. I say, look for a job, you'll be fine. colleges don't give a **** what you did in the summer because I did **** and I still got into every college I applied.</p>
<p>Haha xoverseas I have to write my EE as well. Joy. But actually... it will be really interesting. I'm thinking of going with something in Peace and Conflict Studies (the use of war crimes tribunals maybe?). How about you?</p>
<p>For the rest of the summer... travel with my family, fiddle camp (in Cape Breton - how cool is that?), visiting universities (on the way back from fiddling because it's out east and I'm in the west!), loads of reading (finally!) and horseback riding.
Yes it would be lovely to do internships and the like, but with all the stuff going on in the year I already have enough to fill up the applications. Not to mention I want to relax before being a senior doing full french immersion IB... I'm thinking I won't have too much time come fall.</p>
<p>I tan my arse off in Florida all year....its not that great... I think we should be partying. If I could thats what I would be doing.. instead, I'm taking a couple classes online and doing volleyball conditioning</p>
<p>taking two college courses, studying mv calc on my own, studying for a retake of the SATs, college app essays, a part-time job, oh..and getting a driver's license....among other random stuff like redecorating my room (which is definitely take work)</p>
<p>oh great, I guess i'm falling into the 'exotic eco-trip' group.
I will be volunteering in Ecuador in the Andes Mountain for 2 weeks. But i'm not doing to for my resume, I actually care about the environment and started an environmental club and stuff, but that probably won't get noticed.
this sucks.</p>
<p>do what you want, dude, don't listen to other people. can't go through life not doing other things for other people</p>
<p>Ecuador? Sounds amazing. I say - screw college apps, that's just plain cool.</p>
<p>thanks tawny! i'm very excited, leaving in about a week. but colleges thinking i just did it because i had the money really annoys me.</p>
<p>dwerbowy,
Just enjoy the experience and get as much as possible out of it. As far as the colleges go - its not a random trip, it is a part of your interests as shown by the club you started.</p>
<p>ecuador is exciting! have fun. my friend is in argentina this summer. i was going to go to panama through AFS (i got a scholarship and all too), but then it was still too expensive. but i def agree with the whole environment thing, and colleges will see your real interest in it. </p>
<p>as for me, i have a paid internship at NASA, im volunteering, dance, and then im going to london. i heart british accents!</p>
<p>I hate english accents. They aren't sexy in the least. Infact, I just hate England in general. You couldn't pay me a spot in heaven to go and LIVE there.</p>
<p>
[quote]
do what you want, dude, don't listen to other people. can't go through life not doing other things for other people
[/quote]
Hey, now! I rather think my "write essays" advice is very useful! He just wanted some helpful advice. We all need it. You'd be a fool to not get some while you can.</p>
<p>and why do you hate england so much?</p>