It doesn’t help when applying to colleges.
@kitkat01 I think that summer pre college programs only help in the sense that colleges see that you’re doing something with your summer. These programs can be expensive, so if it’s a struggle to attend one, I’d recommend finding something else to do in summer. They usually hold the same weight as volunteering, working, or taking a community college course. As long as you’re doing something during summer, no matter what it is, it’ll help when applying.
The summer things that can help applications are competitive (generally free) programs, working, or doing something that you like.
@ak2018 There are several online high schools in Ontario from what I know, but they charge at least $500+ per course (and my family would have a hard time affording, especially for a whole semester). Also, there’s always the chance that the strike could end a week after I pay for the courses then I’m out $2k+. Maybe there are online public schools in the US, but there aren’t any here.
I could easily teach myself with cheap study material online, but I’m not sure how I would be able to get the credits necessary for graduation through that route?
@acomfysofa Sorry if you already mentioned this but are all the teachers in your area going on strike? I was thinking you could study from material online and then complete the exams you need at a different school somehow if that would work.
@solarsystem All teachers in my entire province are going on strike on Friday. That’s like all teachers in the state of Maine going on strike. I’m not sure if it’s just that Friday or if it’s going on until there’s a new contract (and my teachers were unsure too), but I’m hoping it’ll be resolved over the weekend. If not, I might have to look into that!
I just got into a big fight with my dad about college. He is refusing to allow me to apply to the colleges I want to go to because they are too far or too expensive. I feel so put down because I really want to go where I want but he is saying I would have to pay for my own tuition.
@kitkat01 - Ugh, I feel you. My dad’s the same 
@kitkat01 Same. Realistically, I’d want to go to a university in the bigger cities like UoT or McGill but it’s more expensive than going to a local university here. They’re only letting me apply at the tippy-top Ivies and some other schools because they offer full-ride scholarships, and although I’d definitely pick those schools over my previous choices, the chances of acceptance to those schools are next-to-none.
@kitkat01 My parents are strongly encouraging me to stay close to home (western NY) meanwhile I’m feeling the pull to Boston or NYC…
@kitkat01 Have you looked into questbridge? It might work out for your situation
@solarsystem what is questbridge?
I just looked it up, Questbridge works with matching low income students. I am not really low income. My parents can afford and always told me I could go where I want… until now when I express that “anywhere” is actually far. I recently got back from studying abroad so being away from home is not new to me and is actually something I enjoy. I dont want to be able to come home from college frequently.
@acomfysofa No teachers in the state of Maine at the moment are on strike. I don’t know if you were using that as a generic example or not, but no teachers in Maine are on strike. School is going well for all of us in the Pine Tree State (other than the boatload of snow we have received. my school has had 3 snow days in the past week).
@acomfysofa Teachers in my state are legally barred from forming unions or special interest groups. It’s a little sad. It is currently illegal for them to go on strike. Expressing any grievances collectively could put their jobs at risk.
Okay I went on the parents thread today and…
…immediately backed away. These parents are so extra! I’m all for motivation, but this is too much. Are any of y’alls parents actually like this? It doesn’t really make sense to have a parent-child relationship w/ academic success as one of its pillars.
@Hamlon Lol my parents dont even know the max ACT score. I’m in charge of doing everything college related they didn’t go to college so they are completely uneducated in that topic.
^^Same! My mom asked me if I started applying for colleges yet.
I am expected to do well at school, but that is not all my parents talk about. Some parents on here seem really invested in their kids success(which is great), but sometimes it is best to let kids relax
@kitkat01 Are you sure you aren’t eligible for any sort of financial aid? Cause I thought the same because I have a comfortable life but I was actually really very wrong.
And if that ends up being the case (that you have to pay) then look at some colleges like UAlabama which gives huge automatic scholarships for having a certain test score or higher.
Edit: for example, look at some schools you would like to go to and run the Net Price Calculator. Generally, the more prestigious schools give lots more financial aid.
@frazzledazzle I was just using Maine as a generic example to show that it’s an entire province here instead of a certain district. Great to hear it’s going well there!