So, we had college people at our school last week and our teachers were telling all the stuff that colleges looked at. They said that you should have atleast one AP class, have above a 3.5, and have a ton of after school stuff if you want to even consider getting into college. Now, I that scared me since I have no plans to take any AP classes and can barely maintain a 3.5 as it is.
So, I've talked to a few people in college who had none of that stuff, and said that refrences were a big part of it. So, I'm really confused on what to do. I would love to go to a university, but I'll most likely be going to a community college for 2 years, then transfering over to a smaller university.
So, the point of this thread, for those of you who are currently in college, or have been accepted, how did you get there?
I find it hard to believe that you would need all of that just to get into an university. They were probably trying to get you to work harder or something, hell my GPA isn't great at all I think it's something like 2.89 and universities won't stop harassing me, but that could be because I did well on the Plan test we took... befuddlement
Quote from: ME86 on March 10, 2008, 05:29:55 PM
I find it hard to believe that you would need all of that just to get into an university. They were probably trying to get you to work harder or something, hell my GPA isn't great at all I think it's something like 2.89 and universities won't stop harassing me, but that could be because I did well on the Plan test we took... befuddlement
Thats what I thought. I think the teachers just want you to do amazing so you'll get accepted no matter what or sumthin
Quote from: Strongbad007 on March 10, 2008, 05:31:44 PM
Thats what I thought. I think the teachers just want you to do amazing so you'll get accepted no matter what or sumthin
Most likely. Hardly any school would deny you with that shit. The one worry I have with getting into university is that I've heard some of my teachers tell us that they like students who have extracurricular activities... But there is no extracurricular activity I've taken. gonk;
Yeah, they've told us that, too.
I forgot to say this in my origional post, but here's my current situation:
-3.5 GPA (3.1 cumulative, but i did bad my freshman year)
-I'll be in 11th grade next year and will be enrolled in no AP classes
-Currently participating in JV tennis, Varcity swimteam, and keyclub (commuity service)
so, if I continue how I am next year and the following year, do I have a good shot to get into a university?
Quote from: Strongbad007 on March 10, 2008, 06:04:25 PM
Yeah, they've told us that, too.
I forgot to say this in my origional post, but here's my current situation:
-3.5 GPA (3.1 cumulative, but i did bad my freshman year)
-I'll be in 11th grade next year and will be enrolled in no AP classes
-Currently participating in JV tennis, Varcity swimteam, and keyclub (commuity service)
so, if I continue how I am next year and the following year, do I have a good shot to get into a university?
Yes, most universities would be fine with that, unless you're aiming for Ivy League.
Quote from: ME86 on March 10, 2008, 06:09:30 PM
Yes, most universities would be fine with that, unless you're aiming for Ivy League.
Cool. And no, I'm not aiming for anything like that.
They don't want you to be spread too thin with the activities, then it looks like you are doing them just to get into college. Stick with a few that you enjoy the most.
Quote from: Squirtlejazz on March 10, 2008, 06:22:11 PM
They don't want you to be spread too thin with the activities, then it looks like you are doing them just to get into college. Stick with a few that you enjoy the most.
But what if you enjoy nothing that the school offers? AM I GOING TO HAVE TO SUFFER SOME GOD AWFUL JOB AT MCDONALD'S BECAUSE OF THIS? >.<
Quote from: ME86 on March 10, 2008, 06:25:34 PM
But what if you enjoy nothing that the school offers? AM I GOING TO HAVE TO SUFFER SOME GOD AWFUL JOB AT MCDONALD'S BECAUSE OF THIS?
If I could tell you one piece of advice, choose something you like as a career and take those classes that interest you, if you don't, college will be pointless and hell. This will determine what you do the rest of your life, don't blow it, and no you wont end up at Micky D's if you don't follow some stupid pre arranged course.
3.5? Lol, no.
You'd be fine with a 3.0
I had a 2.9 and did well, though I did have a lot of honors and AP classes. My test scores weren't that bad either(though a 570 on math, 530 verbal, 510 writing aren't the highest they were a bit higher than the school's average so it looked good. If I prepared I could have done better). I only had one activity, being treasurer/president of Business Professionals of America.
They tell everyone that; unless you're trying to get into some prestigious shit school you shouldn't worry about AP classes or things to put on your resume to impress them.
- I have a 3.5 GPA
- 5 AP classes
- 7 extracurriculars
- 2nd best SAT in my school
So far I'm accepted at Uconn, and am waiting to hear from my other schools, such as Wisconsin and Boston College, which will be making their decisions within the month.
It really depends on the school of whether your resume will impress them or not. If you're just looking for some small university like you mentioned, you should be fine though
Quote from: Squirtlejazz on March 10, 2008, 06:22:11 PM
They don't want you to be spread too thin with the activities, then it looks like you are doing them just to get into college. Stick with a few that you enjoy the most.
Yeah, this is very true. They're looking for commitment and proof that you can follow through on something, not proof that you can do a bunch of things at once.
Also, I've been told that having some documented community service hours helps out a lot too; unfortunately over the past 4 years working with my school's student service thing I've endlessly neglected the hours documentation forms
Well, I didn't really do a whole lot of research when I started applying(did I spell that right; my brain's mush today), something I regret a little. I ended up settling for my local university which would probably accept any hodge off the street. I'm planning on hitting an associate's degree and then going on from there. It actually ended up working out pretty good for myself as I'm still very undecided on what career I want to pursue.
I guess from my experience, don't put a whole lot of faith into those college-prep speakers and guidance workers. They play it out to be this incredibly intimidating thing which only adds on pounds of unneeded stress, something that nobody needs.
Also, don't feel pressured into seeking a carrer just because you've been advised to do so. Honestly, try to do something you really want to learn about. Never swim with the current. I have a few good friends who are all majoring in accounting because the "money's there", but they're absolutly miserable in class.
Good luck.
Also, how important is it to visit the campus of the college you plan on applying to? I got a brochure in the mail about that, and it said it shows that you're interested in the college, but how important is it really?
Quote from: Claquesous on March 11, 2008, 01:06:17 PM
Also, how important is it to visit the campus of the college you plan on applying to? I got a brochure in the mail about that, and it said it shows that you're interested in the college, but how important is it really?
Not really all that important, because chances are you're going to forget most of everything you see when you visit anyway. You grow accustomed to the place quickly when you actually go there for real.
Quote from: Kazanova on March 11, 2008, 01:45:27 PM
Not really all that important, because chances are you're going to forget most of everything you see when you visit anyway. You grow accustomed to the place quickly when you actually go there for real.
What he said.
Quote from: Socks on March 11, 2008, 02:44:48 PM
What he said.
Aren't you a productive little poster
Quote from: Kazanova on March 11, 2008, 01:45:27 PM
Not really all that important, because chances are you're going to forget most of everything you see when you visit anyway. You grow accustomed to the place quickly when you actually go there for real.
You visit so that the admissions people can tell you're interested, not so you can memorize the landscape psyduck;
Quote from: lukas on March 12, 2008, 02:16:40 PM
Aren't you a productive little poster
Yes.
Quote from: Your Posting Rival on March 12, 2008, 05:31:49 PM
You visit so that the admissions people can tell you're interested, not so you can memorize the landscape
They don't care whether you visit or not, if you tour it's just easier for them to make the sales pitch, if they're actively seeking you out they could care less about campus visits.
Quote from: Socks on March 12, 2008, 06:23:40 PM
Yes.
They don't care whether you visit or not, if you tour it's just easier for them to make the sales pitch, if they're actively seeking you out they could care less about campus visits.
Oh, I was didn't catch that he was invited. Never mind then.
Quote from: Your Posting Rival on March 12, 2008, 06:28:56 PM
Oh, I was didn't catch that he was invited. Never mind then.
i lol'd hard.
Quote from: Socks on March 10, 2008, 06:33:07 PMThis will determine what you do the rest of your life
If you stick to a single plan that you made before you're even an adult, your life sucks. Instead of professing in one area, get a cluster of things you most enjoy so that you always have a backup plan and can move on to something else if you feel whatever you're doing doesn't suit you best at whatever moment. It also doesn't hurt to embrace an entirely foreign subject that you really don't even understand at all. I'd say broadening my horizons is more important than focusing on one or two certain things I'm best at just for a good GPA and chance to get into some highly praised college that in all honesty won't make me any better than a person that went to a cheap local one.
If I want to be an author today, that shouldn't keep me from being a biologist 20 years down the road and a small business owner 15 years after that. I may find something annoying or possibly even stupid right now, but I may love it as I mature and find it suits me better than anything else.
Quote from: Lawlz on March 12, 2008, 06:55:50 PM
If you stick to a single plan that you made before you're even an adult, your life sucks. Instead of professing in one area, get a cluster of things you most enjoy so that you always have a backup plan and can move on to something else if you feel whatever you're doing doesn't suit you best at whatever moment. It also doesn't hurt to embrace an entirely foreign subject that you really don't even understand at all. I'd say broadening my horizons is more important than focusing on one or two certain things I'm best at just for a good GPA and chance to get into some highly praised college that in all honesty won't make me any better than a person that went to a cheap local one.
If I want to be an author today, that shouldn't keep me from being a biologist 20 years down the road and a small business owner 15 years after that. I may find something anoying or possibly even stupid right now, but I may love it as I mature and find it suits me better than anything else.
I agree with that 100%.
Quote from: Lawlz on March 12, 2008, 06:55:50 PM
If you stick to a single plan that you made before you're even an adult, your life sucks. Instead of professing in one area, get a cluster of things you most enjoy so that you always have a backup plan and can move on to something else if you feel whatever you're doing doesn't suit you best at whatever moment. It also doesn't hurt to embrace an entirely foreign subject that you really don't even understand at all. I'd say broadening my horizons is more important than focusing on one or two certain things I'm best at just for a good GPA and chance to get into some highly praised college that in all honesty won't make me any better than a person that went to a cheap local one.
If I want to be an author today, that shouldn't keep me from being a biologist 20 years down the road and a small business owner 15 years after that. I may find something annoying or possibly even stupid right now, but I may love it as I mature and find it suits me better than anything else.
That made alot of sense. Good post doodella;
Quote from: Lawlz on March 12, 2008, 06:55:50 PM
Agreed.
Go to college were you want to live for the rest of your life, thats the best idea because you'll get to know the town, the people, and hopefully get a way to getting your first real job.
If you move somewhere to go to college and move back home where you used to live you'll have lost friends and it won't be worth it. I'd rather have good friends then a "good" education because no matter were you go to school you'll probably get the same job as someone else who went to some huge college. Truth is, people will hire you over someone else who went to a huge college, as long as you're intelligent and if you went to the college near by, bonus points.
The place you go to college doesn't matter, as long as you go to college, get the right units, and finish it.