@ak2018 Well I have most of the common app filled out already so that’s a thing.
I’ve done a majority of the prep work but haven’t actually started the application. I have completed a resume, asked for LOR, and figured out (for the most part) what my main essay is going to be.
@gigichuck Definitely not. It’s a scam(or at least not worth the money). You’re paying for prestige. It’s like a for-profit college for the middle class.
@Hamlon Wow. Frank choice of words. I like that lol. I do plan to apply though, with a little encouragement from a current student.
Eh, I’m international, but I’ll post my college list anyway:
Howard University
MIT
Harvard/Yale/Princeton
Minerva
…still searching
Yes I know I have a lot of reach schools on the list, but they’re also the only ones so far I could possibly get a full ride at.
Do you guys think getting to YYGS would help with the Yale app? Or would Princeton value my STEM achievements more?
@gigichuck I don’t think YYGS will help you get into yale but some of the experiences you have there may help you write an essay which might indirectly help you get into Yale.
@ak2018 I’m planning on starting in the summer. I’ll probably get serious when all of the supplements for my schools are officially announced.
@gigichuck I read a very critical post about Minerva on the MIT Admissions blog recently. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to link it here, but if you Google “The Minerva Delusion” you should be able to find it.
@gigichuck @LeopardFire While I also had a lot of concerns about Minerva, I do not think that article is a good source of information. The article was published in 2012 before the school had even started so many of the unknowns in the article now have very legitimate answers. From what I’ve experienced, their claim to be more selective than the ivy league while still accepting students that likely wouldn’t get into ivies is exceptionally accurate – students are more precocious, innovative, and driven than the students I met at ivies even if they weren’t born in the US or don’t have stellar test scores. The finances definitely aren’t as good as top ivies for low-income students, but the description in the article is far from the truth. The school does give out plenty of financial aid which can be a particularly good deal for international students that tend to get the short end of the stick in US college financial aid decisions. Also, probably the most glaring mistake is that Minerva isn’t a for-profit college. There is a separate entity that is planning to monetize some of the technology Minerva is developing and is raising venture capital money, which is for-profit, but the school itself is non-profit. Finally, while the school is a form of online learning, it isn’t the recorded lectures that the author repeatedly draws parallels to. The online learning platform (which I got to try out earlier this year) is highly interactive, more like Skype on steroids. Even though I made the tough decision to turn down Minerva – my 2nd choice school – in favor of my top choice school, I still think it’s a phenomenal option.
I’ve been lurking on this thread for a couple days and decided to finally post something.
Senior course load:
AP Calculus BC
AP U.S. Government (2nd semester)
AP English Literature
Honors Physics
Honors Economics (1st semester)
Honors Spanish IV
Comparative Religions
Journalism (at 7am…rip)
I’m not a strong writer so Journalism seems like a fun course to help me prepare for all of the essays in AP Lit.
Colleges:
Reaches
Yale
Harvard
Honors College at University of Marylan, College Park ??? (Still deciding)
Matches:
UCLA (lots of kids accepted from my school with my stats)
UC Berkeley (same as above)
George Washington
Northeastern
Safety:
Cal State Long Beach
UC Santa Cruz
Also @Hamlon your goals in tech are so cool and inspiring!
@dietcig That’s a good list! What are you thinking of studying? Welcome to the thread!
@dietcig Thanks!
@frazzledazzle Right now I am planning to study Mathematics and Education. I’m also very interested in Political Science and Public Policy.
I finally solved my schedule woes. I’m going to take Physics C online through physics-prep and DC Calc 2 online with Thinkwell as a supplement for exam prep. My school won’t recognize that I took physics and extra math, but colleges will (at least the two I emailed over the weekend).
My schedule works out to where I have time almost everyday to work on my online classes. I get to be an aide for my favorite teacher and take her research class for another year.
-H Science Mentorship (Online DC Calc 2 and Discrete Math or programming)
-Teacher’s Aide (Online Physics C)
-AP Literature
-AP Chemistry (If this class conflicts…)
-AP Music Theory
-H Orchestra
-H Choir
1- Anatomy/ Physiology
2- Honors English/ CC Public Speaking
3- Honors Economics/ Honors Gov
4- SUPA Public affairs
5- Elective not chosen (clinics)
6- CC Precalc/ Calc
7- PE/ study hall
8- French IV/ AP French
9- French I - Teachers aid
This should be my final schedule for next year. Any comments, suggestions?
Has anyone been stressed out with creating a college list? It seems that I have only found maybe three schools (one private school that I won’t be able to afford and an out of state that I qualify for a scholarship but it’s not 100%) that I absolutely adore. I have spent hours looking up colleges and I just can’t seem to find any other ones that I would love. I am getting stressed out with the idea of not going to a school that I love because as of right now I will be applying to a bunch of back up colleges that I won’t love going to. It seems that almost all of y’all have your sound college lists while I only have three.
@madison2000 I’m stressed out too because I’d need a lot of merit money to feel comfortable going to a lot of my schools and all the ones I’m interested in have the big awards as competitive things.
@madison2000 I seem to struggle to find a good match schools because I am unsure of what would be good and worried that it is too easy or too hard.
@madison2000 My Matriculate advisor wants me to look up some colleges and make a list. We’ve been looking up some scholarships too. Which reminds me, would anyone mind helping me to find scholarships. I’m staying after school today and I’m show you guys some new scholarships once I get home.
What sorts of scholarships are you focusing on (regional or national)?
@RMNiMiTz National.
So here are the scholarships I found and what you’d need to do (these are all national scholarships):
B. Davis Scholarship
This scholarship is for all high school juniors and seniors as well as all students currently registered at any postsecondary institution. To apply for this scholarship, applicants must submit an essay addressing the following prompt: “Describe the three characteristics of leadership you value most. Discuss why you believe that these traits are so important and how you feel that they are developed in an individual.”
Deadline:
May 22
Average Award:
$1,000
Awards Granted:
2
U.S. News Path to College Scholarship
This scholarship is for high school students who plan to continue their education at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university immediately after graduating. Preference will be given to students who apply early and demonstrate strong academic performance, participation in extracurricular activities, community volunteerism, leadership, work experience and a brief essay.
Deadline:
Jun 2
Average Award:
$2,500
Awards Granted:
2
Abbott & Fenner Scholarship
This scholarship is for high school juniors and seniors as well as students currently registered at an accredited college or university. To qualify, applicants must submit an essay discussing their educational career and life goals.
Deadline:
Jun 12
Average Award:
$1,000
Noplag Scholarship Essay Contest
This scholarship is for high school and university students who are at least 16 years of age. Applicants must submit an essay of at least 700 words on a suggested topic. See website for essay topics, guidelines, and other information.
Deadline:
Jun 25
Average Award:
$3,500
Awards Granted:
1