I’m starting junior year in 2 weeks and I’m really having mixed emotions.
I have to register for my classes on Thursday and I will be getting my schedule and my ID taken. But my counselor is putting me in classes that some are necessary and some aren’t really. Let’s see what happens.
@LeopardFire I know people who have been accepted to the honors program with a C on their transcript and definitely not top 5% (one of them even got a full ride). Also, on their website, it says that MOST kids have these scores, but it doesn’t mean everyone is a: top 5%, 2300+ SAT, or 34 ACT student. Don’t count yourself (I included) out yet. WE GOT TIME to prove ourselves worthy!
So had my first SAT practice test with Kaplan the other day. I expected it to be NOTHING like the SAT, because that is how people here on cc tend to portray it as. Though, after took it, I noticed it was just like the SAT. The questions were similar and the feeling (most important) was the same. So if you find a FREE online test from Kaplan or see a book at your local library (To anyone who prefers free resources), don’t shove it away just because it is not from collegeboard. Just remember, practice is practice and anything is helpful, especially as we are going into Junior year.
Could you guys please give me some input if you are able?
I’m enrolled in Piano 1; the class is tailored to my level, but I have been playing for over eight years. Will colleges frown upon it if there is no explicit indication of student-specific tailoring? Also, I’m interested in starting a YouTube channel (like @ak2018), posting videos of me playing piano if the YouTube is enough for colleges to know I already knew how and that piano is something I do for fun.
For the SAT, there is a Daily Practice app from CollegeBoard available on the Apple Store and Google Play.
I’m sorry for being so MIA lately. I just came back from my first day of school and am working on Trig, economics, and English homework all of which I’m about halfway done. There was no cruise time; not even in Piano 1. But I got DECA up and running!
Nobody would look down at you, even if it was your first experience with the instrument. If you feel passionate about the piano, you should definitely mention it as a long-term engagement (and explain why you like it).
@bubblylaugh
Good luck!
@apple1893 I’ve tried kaplan tests they are far too easy and the questions especially reading are too basic, and don’t do a good job of imitating specific SAT questions. I’d recommend Kaplan for low scorers who are weak on concepts. But once you have the concepts down its all about understanding the little tricks and practicing with SAT style questions. I’d recommend Barrons
@nyuhopeful44 You’re welcome!
@TheSuniscoming @Izumii I used to be in the IBMYP back in middle school. Personally, I didn’t like the program that much. My base high has the IB program, but I decided to go to another school.
@Tobster18 I wouldn’t think so. Quitting band seems like not that much of a big deal, unless you plan to be a musician. I would say if you’re going to quit, then do something else productive with that time, like another EC.
@cxprus What classes are you taking again? Can you get your counselor to actually get the classes you want? Usually if you have your parents write a letter to your counselor about the classes, they’ll back off a little. But that should only be done if your counselor forces you to join a class.
@apple1893 @BucketsUCSC has a point here. Sometimes, during my English class last year, we would read SAT passages and answer questions that were made by Kaplan and, while helpful, they were pretty inconsistent. I would score higher on some passages than others, but for the most part, the passages felt really easy. I think Kaplan is okay, but there are better prep companies out there. Especially with the new SAT out.
I just took a practice ACT English and got a 35! Now time for math, which I fear will be another story…
@nyuhopeful44 That is great! Congrats!
Because of schedule conflicts, I am not able to participate in choir this year… I’m really sad now…
Do they have an after school club u could join? If not u could start one. @sewin2music
@bubblylaugh I believe on the Common App, there is a place called “Additional Info”. You could put that you’ve been playing piano on that part of the application. It’s good that you’re interested in making a YouTube channel, but the main reason to do so should be because you’d think it’d be fun, not for college apps. I want to make my YouTube channel not only as a way to provide people with a better perspective of POE, but as a way to show people my perspective of Engineering. I think you should definitely make a YouTube channel!
Hey when you guys are studying for sat or act are you guys focusing on improving or studying one overall section or just focusing it as a whole? For the sat I’m focusing first on the section I felt like I struggled the most on and move on from that.
@wildguy57 I’ve been just working on one section at a time.
@sewin2music I agree with @nyuhopeful44 . Is there a Glee Club or some kind of after school choir activity you can join? What class are you taking now instead of choir?
@ak2018 I haven’t started prepping yet (my SAT book just came in the mail yesterday) but I got 1480 on the PSAT last fall if that helps.
@Izumii :Yes it would be very helpful if you can recommend me some Chemistry HL sources as I’d personally like to prepare myself for the academic challenges ahead of the IB program.
I’d Appreciate it very much.
@ak2018 : Yeah I just finished my final MYP year like 2 months ago and I honestly found out nice how they get you into a “think out of the box” situation…Many won’t agree but each to their own I guess.
@TheSuniscoming
For books, I definitely recommend the pearson HL chemistry book and the oxford study guide(especially this one). You can find past exam questions in them, and the pearson one has questions that gradually increase in difficulty. The great thing about them is that some exam questions are often based off the questions in these books. It’s really important to understand the syllabus so I recommend you read through it multiple times till you know it thoroughly. Definitely check out richard thornley’s youtube channel too. In addition, msjchem.com is a great site for review too. Overall, the most important thing is look over past papers, specimen papers and markschemes to get a feel for the test. I can link you the papers if you need them.