<p>Yeah I have Barron’s for both math and bio and the “official” Collegeboard practice test book for math. My diagnostic score for math was a 730, will I be able to get it to 780+ by June?</p>
<p>Woah, that was my diagnostic score for Barron’s as well! I think you’ll be fine for an 800. Review thoroughly, and take as many tests in the back as you can. I only ended up taking three (740, 760, and 740), but I felt prepared. I got two 800s in the official book. Good luck!</p>
<p>@Studious</p>
<p>I’m currently self-studying for the AP World Test. Do you think I would be adequately prepared for the test after studying a bit from a review book(I’m assuming Barron’s is a good choice)?</p>
<p>Well, you should study more than “a bit.” But if you read through the text multiple times, take the tests, and review your answers, you should be fine for a 5. Try to find official tests to practice with as well.</p>
<p>I meant specifically the SAT II test, I’m not worried about the AP Test. What I’m asking is will self-studying for the AP test prepare me for most of the material on the SAT II test?</p>
<p>Oh, sorry. I think you would be prepared to get a 700+. However, the SAT II test is quite different in that it features a lot of random and specific questions. To do well, one must study a lot from a variety of sources. Which is why I’m using my class, the AP PR book, and the Barron’s SAT II book. If I were you, I’d pick up Barron’s to be safe. But you could probably do pretty well without it.</p>
<p>hey guys! i didnt bother reading through 200 pgs of thread but do are any of u starting research? im starting with a mentor this summer!
junior sched:
A2/trig Honors
Chem honors
Spanish 4 honors
AP bio
AP USH
AP lang
science research
gym</p>
<p>other than that: 3 sport varsity athlete (XC/Swim/track), jazz band trumpet, scared ****less for next year</p>
<p>^ How did you acquire your research gig? I really want to get into something like that.</p>
<p>Well my school has a program for kids interested and it “helps” us find mentors (really doesnt do much considering no professional wants to work with a 10th grader). But luckily one of my cousins had a “connection,” and the guy put me with a PhD in his lab. If u dont have a connection, it’s extremely hard to acquire such a gig, 3/30 sophs in the program got mentors…but if u get an opportunity like that take it!!</p>
<p>I want to do an SATII someday. I am planning to do them after their respective APs. I want to do Bio, Chem, and Math2 all on the same day.</p>
<p>Reviving this thread to ask you guys a question about class rank :p.</p>
<p>At the moment, I’m 17/280 in my school (basically top 6%). I’d probably be 10 spots higher if I hadn’t taken art freshman year & had actually tried in geometry (got an 89 weighted for both… currently have a 97.11 overall weighted). My guidance counselor told me that if my grades stay where they currently are (or if they continue to increase) junior year, I’ll easily make it into the top 10. </p>
<p>But my question is, is that good enough for top tier schools (not HYPSM)?
The val & sal currently have ~104w, and only one of them is taking an AP class this year (he’s the only person in my class taking an AP, and nobody is allowed to take any freshman year).
I’m only asking because my school’s avg. SAT score is 1490, so clearly GPAs aren’t on the low side because my school is demanding…</p>
<p>A 100 in honors is a 106, and a 100 in AP is 108 (just for context).</p>
<p>@downtothesea: I think if you crack the top 10 and have a good SAT score you should be fine. My school isn’t nearly as competitive. You have to be in the top 5 at my school to even be considered by the top universities.</p>
<p>But here is a question for everyone. I am debating whether to switch schools or not.</p>
<p>At this boarding school the average class size is 10 students. This school offers 15 AP courses and has a great athletic program.</p>
<p>vs. my current school.</p>
<p>Average class 25 students, offers only 5 AP courses (1 science) and our athletics are terrible. </p>
<p>Is it worth it to apply to this boarding school? I am currently 1st in my class with no one even close to my GPA. I am really wanting a challenge and more science AP courses. I would be a commuter since I live 20 minutes away. Tuition is pretty substantial (close to 50,000 a year) and the only way I could go is if I could receive a lot of financial aid. Close to a full ride. Is it worth applying to and going through all the trouble of taking the SSAT and trying to receive a ton on scholarships and financial aid?
Thanks</p>
<p>~Nate</p>
<p>People from my school don’t attend top universities, haha. 2 to Yale, 2 to Cornell, 1 to Dartmouth, 0 to Harvard, 0 to Princeton, 0 to Brown, 0 to Stanford, 0 to UPenn… you get the picture. That’s from '08 to now.</p>
<p>Also, I think if you’d be happier at boarding school, you should apply. If you don’t get the aid, at least you know you tried.</p>
<p>That’s still pretty good. We have only sent two people to the ivies in the history of our school. </p>
<p>And thanks! I think I might be happier with a new school as well!</p>
<p>I hate my school…Its one of the most competitive high schools in my state. We have a 7 point scale with the highest gpa of my 10th grade class being a 5.2. AP’s are not offered as a freshman and hard to get as a sophomore so its hard to catch up. Ap’s are weighted as a 6, honors are 5, and regular are 4.</p>
<p>@1017bricksquad: Wow, that really stinks. My school does a 4-point scale. So if we make anywhere from a 93-100 we get a 4, 5 or 6 on our GPA depending on the course. I’m currently first in my class taking all of the hardest courses offered including 2 junior classes but I still only have a 4.5 cumulative GPA.</p>
<p>@nate: I meant 6 point scale for weighted gpa’s. Unweighted is a 4 point scale.</p>
<p>I went to a different school for every year of my life! Besides 6th and 7th grade. At least your records are consistent!! :)</p>
<p>Hey, I’m a sophomore right now and here are the classes I’m taking (sophomore can’t take APs…):</p>
<p>-Enriched Algebra 2/3
-Honors Biology
-Honors English
-Honors Latin III
-Enriched Precalculus
-Honors 20th Century
-Honors Chemistry
-Gym
-Study</p>
<p>My school only offers enriched for math, and Honors is the highest for everything else.</p>
<p>For next year (junior year), my schedule is:</p>
<p>-AP AB Calculus
-AP Chemistry
-AP European History
-Honors British Lit.
-Honors Photography
-Honors Anthropology/Sociology
-Honors Latin IV
-TV Production
-Health
-Gym</p>
<p>Here’s some other info about me:
Top 5% of my class (a class of about 400)</p>
<p>Weighted GPA: 4.52, UW: 3.84.</p>
<p>PSAT: 201/240 (rough equivalent of 2010 on SATs).</p>
<p>EC’s:
-Piano for 10 years- Master Classes and competitions
-I have rowed crew and been in track for the past two years in HS (JV crew, JV track)
-Heavily involved in Mock Trial and Debate Club- invited to opportunities within Town Government, shadowing state officials, I’m now applying to my State Youth Council chosen by the senator.
-Participate in MIT Splash program, take science classes- lab assistant
-Show Choir for past two years (Varsity)
-Photography (pictures published in various local newspapers, magazines, etc.)</p>
<p>Community Service:
-I live right next to a very impoverished city, so I am part of a tutoring program where I help students with their schoolwork, teach them music, etc.
-Volunteered at a senior home where I helped out, and also played piano for them.</p>
<p>-Total Hours: Around 300. I hope to be doing more this summer.</p>
<p>Misc:
-fluent in Hindi (can read, write, speak, understand)
-hobby of mine is scuba diving- I have been certified for 2 years now.</p>
<p>i dont know why you guys dont like gym… i actually look forward to gym class because we just play kickball and rockclimb</p>