<p>I hate AP Lang so much. </p>
<p>H
A
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E</p>
<p>@thealvintran - I feel your struggle. I took the 2014 practice PSAT, and this is probably a very CC-esque complaint, but I’m barely above the cutoff for NM in my state. Ideally, I’d like to get a 230+ to be very safe, but I don’t think that’s going to happen…</p>
<p>Should I be worried that I’m not actually prepping the PSAT? I’ve been prepping for the SAT though. I got a 184 last year which was a 30 pt. increase from a 151 freshman year. No studying whatsoever. </p>
<p>Hoping to have another 30 point increase and pass my state’s cut off. By the way can someone explain to me what the cutoffs represent? Was it the lowest score of the person who was a winner of the award or no?</p>
<p>@TeamRocketGrunt I’m so sorry, I love my AP Lang Teacher. She’s so cool and dresses amazingly! Ugh! Is it weird that I have a girl-crush on her? Sometimes she’ll swear/curse in class. Lol but hang in there, I hope it gets better for you, </p>
<p>I’m going to get my very first B this quarter in AP gov. It’s terrible to know that it’s impossible to pull your grade back up to an A</p>
<p>@PoisonIvy20 The cutoffs represent the top 1% or 10% i think of all scorers in your state.</p>
<p>The one kid I’m not really a big fan of in AP Chem has been sick this week…I think he’s got mono, if rumors are to be believed.</p>
<p>The anime club at my school had its first meeting last Thursday, which was pretty fun.</p>
<p>And the girls’ golf team (which includes two of my friends) is going to state for the fourth year in a row.</p>
<p>So nothing too big going on right now.</p>
<p>I was wondering whether “fun” clubs such as the anime club, frisbee clubs, and the like make any notable difference in college applications? I realize they are terrifically fun clubs to be in, but academically or in this “race” for college admissions, do they make any difference?</p>
<p>That said, I am inherently more interested in the academic clubs at our school (unless someone starts a Quidditch club or something else I’m interested in), so I’m mainly part of the academic/music ones.</p>
<p>I would assume that a Writer’s Guild, Art Club, or Drama Club could be significant. Not that I’m currently in any of those clubs, but I believe that extra-curricular activities are a nice way to pursue personal interests. I probably look pretty average on that scope though, because I’m in a couple of science clubs. It might appear that I’m only taking them because they’re academic clubs, but I have personal interest. </p>
<p>@awakeningvenus Sure, those are definitely fine. I’m in a music club myself, and it’s a very fun way to train a skill you have. My question was referring to those clubs where little if any meaningful skill is required, practiced, or used. Unless you draw in anime club, anime club would just be a group for discussion or watching anime. Is that meaningful in and of itself, and is that at all beneficial to college applications?</p>
<p>Hmm. I think it shows your involvement and communication with other people of similar interests. Like, I could definitely argue the significance of a club like Anime Club or Gamers Club, but I’m not sure how a college would see it. It would probably also depend on the way that you describe the club activities in applications. If you think of it as a reflection on Japanese popular culture, it sounds a lot better than saying that you talk about anime. It’s not lying either.</p>
<p>@awakeningvenus That’s definitely true, but by now, I’m pretty sure colleges have realized that a lot of these clubs don’t do much, no matter how you phrase it, even if you do seriously reflect on Japanese pop culture. Whereas the majority of Yearbook, MUN and the like must do some work, especially if you have a leadership position. </p>
<p>What do you think exactly is the point of clubs? We might discuss a lot of anime in our friend groups, but do we need to become a club? </p>
<p>That’s a pretty good point. Though to be honest, college applications shouldn’t be the only thing considered when someone decides to join a club. I think it’s great to be able to talk to people about a common interest, regardless of its relevance to applications.</p>
<p>I feel like clubs are essentially the formal organization of getting people to collaborate, work together, reflect, or etc., whether it’s for competing, raising money for non-profits, or just talking about a common interest. Are you being specific to clubs like an Anime Club, or just asking generally? </p>
<p>@awakeningvenus I see the value of being part of an academic club, musical, art, writing, etc. club, where everything might need to be formalized so that the club can receive funding or other recognition. However, an anime club or Harry Potter club (as much as I love Harry Potter) is rather useless, because in most cases, the name of the club is simply the topic of discussion. And as much as I love discussing both anime and HP, I can do that in my own time with my friends. </p>
<p>I suppose where nothing formal is needed, I would prefer not to be forced into regular meetings to do something I could just as easily do with friends at any time of day and night. With that aspect gone, I can only consider the value of it to college applications, which, it turns out, is also negligible. Then, what is the point of a club with no purpose other than discussion on a non-academic topic?</p>
<p>Is anyone thinking about 2015 summer program yet?</p>
<p>@Woandering I’ve looked a little into ND and Vanderbilt’s for next summer, but I don’t know how busy next summer will be. Not to mention how much both programs cost…</p>
<p>I wonder if Northwestern’s got anything up yet? Or Ohio University? Hmm…</p>
<p>@ThatPurpleKoala Does ND’s cost anything? My notes say it’s free. What type are you interested in?</p>
<p>Also, how’re you preparing to apply?</p>
<p>@Woandering Here’s what I found for ND’s Summer Scholars Program fees: <a href=“Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid | Summer Scholars | Office of Pre-College Programs | University of Notre Dame”>http://precollege.nd.edu/summer-scholars/tuition-fees-and-financial-aid/</a></p>
<p>Financial aid’s not so great, unfortunately. And as there’s no journalism option (boo) I’m looking into the Gender & Culture, Psychology, and Debate/Public Speaking options.</p>
<p>As far as prep goes, I’m trying to keep my GPA high, as I know that’ll likely play at least a small role in the application, and staying involved in my ECs. Nothing too much extra, as I barely have time to sleep, let alone add anything else to my plate.</p>
<p>@ThatPurpleKoala Oh I was looking at Leadership Seminars. I like the seminars better.</p>
<p>Will you be sending SAT scores?</p>
<p>@ThatPurpleKoala Journalism: <a href=“Academies | Georgetown University Summer Programs for High School Students”>http://scs.georgetown.edu/departments/21/summer-programs-for-high-school-students/format/institute</a></p>
<p>I think it costs quite a bit, too, but it’s an option if I don’t have to do too much writing to apply.</p>
<p>@Woandering I was looking a little into the leadership seminars too, but none of them sounded as appealing. I’ll probably send SAT/ACT scores as well. And thanks for the info on Georgetown!</p>