Will this add depth to my application? Is taking college classes worth it?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>Im a junior this year and we're coming up on summer vacation. I was considering taking classes at my local college this summer, and was wondering if you guys thought this would be helpful. I would be taking the classes at the University of Washington, and it would probably be a 5-credit chemistry class. Im wondering if its worth it because it would cost me about $1500 (including everything like books, transportation, etc) and plus as a high school student I dont really know the college ropes (how to deal with prereqs, books, lab equipment, and so on). It'd be a lot of work to get there (taking a train) and if I do end up going to UW, Im thinking I will get these same classes for cheaper later on. BUT if I end up going out of state (Im looking at northwestern...columbia...) this may add depth to my app.</p>

<p>All advice is welcome! Thanks</p>

2

<p>It’s a decision call. It certainly won’t hurt your application, but is it worth it?</p>

<p>First, you’ll want to see if the credit will transfer. Not all schools accept coursework from others. Second, what does the rest of your application look like? If you have AP or IB Chem with a high score, college chem might not be that value-added. </p>

<p>At the end of the day, it’s up to you.</p>

3

<p>Is it possible that you could do the same course at a local community college? It’d be easier on the wallet, and you’d still be able to show your passion for chemistry and prove that you can take initiative, etc.</p>

<p>But just to clarify, do you want to take this class for the college credits or for the possible admissions boost ?</p>

4

<p>He would probably get both, depending on where he went to school ultimately. </p>

<p>A CC is a good suggestion for the grade, and that’s what most students do. The advantage a UW class would have over a CC is that, if he earned an A, it shows that he can be successful in a major university setting (unlike a CC, where an A is expected). Again, though, if you have a 5 in AP Chem, that A from UW doesn’t really pack that much of an additional punch (you expect someone with a 5 to get an A in intro to chemistry). On the other hand, if your school doesn’t offer AP Chem or IB Chem HL, that UW A could have a big impact.</p>

5

<p>I do have IB at my school but it only offers IB SL chem, no HL…and I just took the test, not sure how well I did on it, considering i had a substitute bio-major for a teacher all year. I’ll give you a quickie of the rest of my app: 3.87 gpa, IB diploma student (with HL math, HL bio, SL chem), immigrant (lithuania), bilingual (russian), volunteer hours/clubs/leadership, scholarship recipient, etc etc. If I dont end up taking this class, I will spend my summer at my part-time job, volunteering at a UW med center, organizing a hospital fundraiser, volunteering at a horse rescue center, and getting my motorcycle liscense (dont think colleges care about that though haha). Do you think my summer is filled up enough that I can skip the extra classes? Or just go for commcollege?</p>

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<p>^ I would say you should try to raise your gpa ( I need to do the same thing :/) How many volunteer hours do you have? I would recommend having at least 250+</p>

<p>can you chance me back :slight_smile: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/724375-please-chance-me-brown-jhu-stanford-columbia.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/724375-please-chance-me-brown-jhu-stanford-columbia.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Haha thanks Motivated, but Im not actually looking for a ‘chance’. Though I think my gpa will end up being about a 3.92-3.94 and I’ll have over 250 hours, that doesnt help me too much with my problem about summer classes.</p>

<p>Thanks anyway!</p>

8

<p>Are you applying as a Chem major?</p>

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<p>Probably bio or biochem</p>