Hello class of 2018, Hope you are all doing well.
What are you guys doing for PSAT prep that are trying for NMF? What have you done already?
Just trying to gauge what is required for those high SI scores.
@ak2018 I would DEFINITELY be down with an AP Astronomy, AP Astrophysics, AP Math and Science History, AP Shakespeare, or AP Instrumental Music class! Those would be so much fun!
I had to go to my school’s football game last night. The band left after the 3rd quarter because our team was losing and hadn’t scored a touchdown. In the 4th quarter after we left they scored 2 touchdowns. Not enough to win, though. They were losing 38-0 when we left. The team we played was last in our division and we were second-last, now we’re last in the division. lol We had something like that carnival before school one day this week, except that it was an activities fair.
Nothing says fall like getting sick. Ugh. And I am travelling half way across my state tomorrow for a Caltech Info Session. Now I’m laying on the couch watching the Red Sox game. If they win this game they are going to the postseason and have a 10 game win streak!
I’m also making a chocolate tear-and-share bread that’s meant for 2+ people, but I’m going to eat it all myself! 
@kassh4 That is true, but a good portion of APs will not count for credit at most colleges anyway. Taking AP Phycology would be pretty good for college applications, but unless you plan to major in Psychology, it’s not really helpful to you. It might meet a General Education requirement, but unless you either plan to major in Psychology, you probably won’t get the credit as you won’t be able to use it to likely pass a General Ed requirement. I do have an interest in Phycology, but decided that it would be better to take AP Computer Science as it would potentially give me credit that I can use to make it easier to either minor or double major in Computer Science.
Personally, I think it would be better to take the AP classes that will get you out of freshman intro-classes, like AP English Lang or Lit, or AP Bio or Chem. And maybe also taking an AP elective or another AP subject class. If you already have a pretty good idea of what you want to major, then you can try to take out. Taking AP electives are a good thing, but prioritizing your APs is a good thing as well.
Some colleges also have some really weird restrictions and requirements. I know a couple of schools will not allow engineering majors to place out of Freshman Chemistry and instead create a Chemistry for Engineers class. Some schools will not take credit for AP Physics 1 or 2 or will give credit for those classes as Freshman Physics class that do not go towards your major (Like how at Virginia Tech and UVA where taking AP Physics 1 or 2 get you out of General Physics, but will not get you out Foundations of Physics, a freshman class for Physics major) . In this case, taking AP Physics C will allow you to go around this, but some schools require a 4 or even a 5 in order to place out and in some cases you must take both the AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C:Electricity and Magnetism.
Ah @sewin2music I’m not sure about that. I guess they would be rather similar because you need a hard test in order to get a good range of scores to determine the top percentage for NMS
does the act have a dual passage? because i thought i heard around that there is one now but the practice section on the act website doesn’t have any dual passages…
@fuzzypolarbears yea there is one dual passage
@kassh4 thanks!
when are all of you planning to take your standardized tests if you haven’t already taken them?
@fuzzypolarbears I took the June ACT(32) but for some reason im pretty sure my ACT score has gone down since then so idk when to even retake it.
@kassh4 hm that’s interesting…i’m planning on the december ACT then doing the february if I’m not satisfied with my score. maybe you could do that too or just do february after having winter break to prepare
@ak2018 not sure about the colleges you’re applying to but from what I understand if you take AP courses outside your major you actually get MORE CREDIT. Reason Being, you can use it for GE credits.like if you’re majoring in like comp sci, most colleges would require you to take their introductory comp sci class even if you got a 5. Whereas if the prospective student took AP Psychology and passed he can use it for GE credit
@fuzzypolarbears I took the September act (36 so I’m done). I’m planning on taking sat 2 tests at some point this year when I feel comfortable enough with physics. If I score good enough on the past to get nm (I did last year but that doesn’t count) I’ll take the sat at some point. If I can miss school then I’ll do it in the spring when my schools offers it to free for all juniors but it not idk and IDC bc I don’t need the score anyway.
@fuzzypolarbears I plan to take the World History and US History subject tests in November, ACT in December then March if I get below a 32, and then Chemistry, Physics, and Literature in June
@BucketsUCSC Is that similar to using an AP credit from high school that will, say, get you out of a Fine Arts GE after Freshmen Year? I haven’t been able to find anything on the matter of using APs to skip General Ed classes after Freshmen Year. I mean, if there is such a thing, then yes, go ahead and take as many as AP as your mind can handle. But if there isn’t, then it would be better to prioritize your APs. You also have to factor in that multiple colleges have different GE classes. For example, at GMU, you must take a semester of Economics and a semester of English, which can be taken out with AP English Lang/Lit and AP Econ. But, at Virginia Tech, you must take a semester of Chemistry, a semester or two of English, and a Fine Arts elective. If AP Psychology would make it so that, if I pass the AP exam, I would be able to skip GE credits along the way, then I’d be perfectly fine with it.
Here is my schedule for today:
11:00-12pm:French Essay
12-12:45:Pre-calc
12:45-1:30:lunch
1:30-2:45:History
2:45-3:30:English
3:30-6:Economics
6-6:30:Workout
6:30-12:Catchup on anything I need to work on
Quick Questions for You Guys:
Is anyone else planning to stay off of social media in the days prior to, the day of, and the days following the presidential election?
Is anyone else planning on NOT going to homecoming? The tickets at our school cost $40, which is pretty expensive considering the fact that I would probably only be able to stay for two hours. Since my parents don’t like the idea of me driving with my friends to and from school during homecoming, because of the possibility that my friends will decide to drink, they said they would have to drive me to and from the event and that I wouldn’t be able to stay for long. I’m not planning on going with anyone either because I honestly hate the stress of asking someone out to a dance when I’m not even dating them. I really wanted to go last year, but now, I honestly don’t really care.
Also, for anyone in FRC, is anyone else going crazy making conspiracy theories about this year’s game? I’ve literally been on the FRC Reddit and other FRC forums trying to piece together what this year’s game will be. It’s like a giant mystery. Ever since the FRC teaser came out, FRC teams around the world have been puzzled by what this year’s game is. :)) This is what is theorized for the game this year:
- This year's game may or may not be a water game, meaning that robots will either have to float or be completely submersed in water. I find the former more believable than the latter.
- This year, robots may have to run on steam or fluid power. I don't really know how practical this will be.
- A lot of people have been interpreting the words said at the end of the video, "Prepare to take flight!", suggesting that drones may be allowed in the competition this year. I personally would definitely like to see this!
- This year's game is supposedly going to be similar to basketball where we must through blimps? I honestly don't even know.
So far, I’m honestly pretty excited for this year’s season.
My day:
8:00-1:30 softball
1:30-2:30 math
2:30-3:30 english project
3:30-whenever study for AP Chem test.
The test is on the first four chapters of our book but I didn’t take regular chem last year so what would be review is brand new info.
My Day: Work, Work, Work, Work, Work, Work! You see me doing work, work, work, work, work, work!
Edit: For one of my theories said above, I meant to say football.
Apparently, there was a Steampunk band at FRC World Championships, so there were hints given all along! 
Omg! Brown University just opened a Low-Income/First Gen student center. If it wasn’t already my first choice…it definitely is now!