High School Class of 2018

Pre-College Topics High School Life
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@joyce1517 I’m not sure what they’re calling “Dual Enrollment” at your school, because dual enrollment credits are earned by taking college-level classes at your high school, but you earn high school credit as well as college credit. AP Classes can be dual enrollment. For example, AP United States History is a dual enrollment class at my school, so someone can earn college credit just from taking the class, as it is linked to our local cc. These credits are independent from the credits that can be earned from getting a 4 or 5 on the AP test at the end of the year. From your previous posts, it sounds like you have to take college classes at your community college, but that isn’t dual enrollment, that is something called concurrent enrollment.

I’ve done both, and dual enrollment is much better, as you don’t have to take classes at the community college. When I did concurrent enrollment (which consisted of me taking a class at the cc), the youngest person in the class other than my friend and I was about 25, which was a little weird.

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@ak2018 honestly, I don’t think you need to be working this hard. You’re black and from a poor school district, so your grades will make you stand out more than others. Also, Virginia Tech has a pretty high acceptance rate. As long as you can get As and Bs, I think you’ll be okay. If you need a break, take one.

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I’m stuck on a decision, I need advice.

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@nyuhopeful44 I just feel like I’m putting a lot of stress on myself sometimes. And I’m actually not from a poor school district, it just has a lot of schools that aren’t the best for education. I’m pretty sure there are only 3 schools in my district, mine included, that people say are the best to attend. We don’t usually don’t have any problems, disciplinary-wise and there are no fights. But I don’t want to be pitied for being black. I don’t want to be held to this standard that I’m not capable of going to a good college, or even an Ivy league. The closest I’ll probably get to a break is this summer. I know I’m capable, if I do my hardest. Maybe I’ll be able to write my college essay about this.

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@cxprus What is it? On a scale of 1 - 10, how crazy is it?

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@ak2018 I wasn’t trying to offend you or pity you, I’m saying it’s an advantage! It’s easier for black kids to get into colleges, and your college isn’t one that is particularly hard to get into. You don’t have to be working as hard as you are, so I’m saying that it’s fine if you take a break. It won’t hurt you that badly. I also don’t agree with affirmative action, but in your case it works!

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@nyuhopeful44 Apparently, I also go to the most challenging high school in my county and we’re 447th for the most challenging high school in the nation. I feel like this is both a good and somewhat bad thing.

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What are your guys’ schools’ national and state rankings according to usnews? And how many students? :stuck_out_tongue:
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools

I was curious and my school is #42 in California and #281 nationally with 2,381 students… with 66% asians haha and only 18% whites.

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@joyce1517 My school isn’t on there lol

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@ak2018 It’s like 7. I know this question is gonna be annoying but… everyone bare with me here.

The IB vs. AP debate is striking me again. I finished last semester with a 3.5 GPA (weighted) and I feel that wasn’t any of my hard work and dedication and I feel bad. But honestly, since IB Diploma is new at my school and my school is in a inner city area then 42 students took the program this year and 37 applied at this point for next year. That’s really strange.

I want to major in Political Science/Psychology or if not minor in Psychology. But clearly IB has restrictions to make. I know AP’s are the way to flexiblity but as for IB’s your rest of your high school career is already set.

Half of my homeroom pals and possible potential valedictorians are gonna do the program. But honestly I’m baffled and stressed over this decision and I asked the IB coordinator if I could visit the TOK class if possible. Should I play it safe and do AP? or try the IB?

My top schools at this point are: UCLA, UC Berkeley, Stanford, San Francisco State, UC Irvine, UC Davis.

My academic advisor from a program told me to stick with APs, Most teachers told me to do it. I’m also part of ASB but its a class period and I only finished half of the art requirement.

This is all my classes at this point:
Geometry: B- (Worried, but I’m gonna work work work!)
English: A
AP Spanish: A+ 97%
Biology: C+ (like a 79.9%)
Speech: A
World History: A
PE: A
Leadership: A

If I do the following routes here I go:

IB Route:
IB English HL1 (Their teacher is on track with the assignments)
Algebra 2 (year 1) + IB Math Studies (year 2)
IB Spanish HL/SL (I have this teacher this year for AP Spanish, but I’m not sure if I want to go through him again for the next two years)
AP Chemistry (I’m hearing that the teacher doesn’t prepare you for the IB test/AP test according to IB students)
IB History HL1 (Not sure about this one, it’s APUSH (year 1) and then HOTA (year 2)
AP Psychology or IB Visual Arts (I have to choose between these too, one is that she’s good not sure about IBVA)
Theory of Knowledge (It’s 4 semesters long, the reason being is that it has Extended Essay support)
Leadership

AP Route:
AP US History
AP English
Algebra 2
Algebra 2 Tutorial
Chemistry
Constitutional Law (requirement because I’m in a Magnet dedicated to Law/Police)
Philosophy
Leadership

I mean should I just tell the IB Coordinator that I’m gonna play it safe or? I need advice.

Extracurriculars for 16’ - 17’ (tentative)
Mock Trial
Key Club
Leadership
Tennis (might join)
Leadership Council (might join)

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@nyuhopeful44 I do realize this. I just don’t know how I feel about it.

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OMG Beyonce is about to release an album. THIS IS NOT A DRILL! I REPEAT,THIS IS NOT A DRILL. LEMONADE SHALL BREAK THE INTERNET IN 3 MINUTES.

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HBO is free all this weekend.

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@ak2018 glad to have been a help!

Sleep derivativation is so real!
What job are you looking at?

@joyce1517 my school has around 1300 students and we didn’t make the rankings last year… :frowning: hopefully we do this year! When we were on I think the highest we were at was 700 something

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@awesomepolyglot LOL! They kinda give a jolt of confidence but it’s sent to so many…

I can’t remember what the pacer intro was like…but I remember I kinda liked the pacer (fulfilled physical ed requirement already)

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@awesomepolyglot LOL! They kinda give a jolt of confidence but it’s sent to so many…

I can’t remember what the pacer intro was like…but I remember I kinda liked the pacer (fulfilled physical ed requirement already)

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Yeah, could someone answer my question?

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@apple1893 @bubblylaugh oh well is there another site for school rankings or nah? also, do you guys know how accurate usnews is? like is it an official ranking or no?

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@joyce1517 My school has a state/city reputation for being one of the most academically challenging in the city/ state ( I live in a small state). Pretty sure our school has the most elite school acceptees. My schoolmates either want to go to elite colleges or don’t overachiever (pretty sure we all are proud overachievers)…so AP or no AP. Regular classes are mostly easy…

It’s all on college readiness then state exams…schooldigger.Com is also another site

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@bubblylaugh Ah I see. It’s similar in my school. Everybody wants to go to an elite college. I haven’t met anybody who doesn’t even want to go to college. We’re all aiming for the UCs and schools like Stanford. :stuck_out_tongue: