Is anyone doing research at a lab this summer (not part of a program)?
I’m really confused on how I’m supposed to list this on my common app as well as how to prove that I was working at a lab. Also, since working in a lab regularly without money is volunteering, do I get hours for this as well?
I would ask my friends who have done lab work but they’re all off doing internships and I figured that probably wouldn’t be the best thing to do right now.
Popping in again, with the end of the year coming soon! I am so {so so} ready for this year to be over.
@madison2000 Don’t feel bad if you have three schools you love! I only have two colleges on my list and one of the is worst case scenario.
@oPhilippos I wouldn’t consider unpaid research as volunteering. It is not community service, it is for you. Why don’t you put under Activity < Research?
@ak2018 idk if it is worth looking at outside scholarships. Usually, the big ones are super competitive and I’ve heard that they lower your FA at a lot of schools. Also, all that time can be better used on your app or merit at the individual schools.
is it just me or are you guys stressing about not getting accepted to any colleges you want to attend too?
I’m probably only gonna apply to some local scholarships. All of them don’t open til like March of next year. National scholarships are way too competitive to be worth it.
@perpetuallylame I’m more stressed about not being able to afford them. All of my top schools are way too expensive for me so I’ll likely be going to one of my safeties.
@frazzledazzle For your Math 2 and Chemistry, did you have to teach yourself the rest of the material?
I was being “taught” Quadratics at school at the same time that I was studying for the Math 2 lol. Even with IB Chemistry at my school, about half of the subjects on the test aren’t taught until after the college app deadline.
So I’m thinking about taking some subject tests, but I’m not sure what to take. I was thinking Literature and maybe a bio one. I don’t know. I feel like I haven’t learned enough to take any of them. I know math would be good, but I won’t take calc until next year, so I can’t take Math II. I don’t know if I should take Math I. I’m a mess rn lol.
@carmen00 The Math 2 subject test is really only Algebra 2/pre cal. If you’re talking pre cal this year you should be ready for the test with a little bit of practice with the test format. I found that taking calculus while studying for math 2 was actually a disservice because I forgot everything from pre cal.
@acomfysofa Just thought I’d add my two bits- I took the math 2 in December and chem in May. I didn’t exactly"teach" myself new material for math but rather reviewed everything I forgot. The hardest part was learning the calculator shortcuts (ie. matrices). For chem, it wasn’t too bad. I was already studying for the AP chem test and only had to teach myself things like organic chem and quantum numbers. I do not think the general chemistry would be enough to be successful in the test.
@kassh4 I mean, it the work for it isn’t too much work than I’ll usually do them. A good portion of these are somewhat competitive, but some people don’t even finish their essays due to recommended word count. Either way, I’d rather have to do more work for less competitive scholarships than less work for more competitive scholarships, which leaves pretty much everything to chance.
@acomfysofa I will have to study for both of them. I need to review the material for Math II since I took Algebra II freshman year and pre-calculus last year. I will also be preparing for chemistry because, even though I had an A last semester, I’m not solid in my knowledge. I might take the physics or ecology exams in the fall depending on how well I do on the chemistry one.
Just finished reading AMSCO! Now I can say that I read both the American Pageant and AMSCO, two very big books :))
Kind of funny how reading two books can replace an entire APUSH course for a test for university admissions, but I guess that’s how it can work. I can name every US president but not any Canadian prime minister before Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper lol
Guys I need advice! I got my first SAT scores back today. I got a 1540 composite, but 16/24 on the essay (6/4/6). I’m really happy about my composite score, but is my essay score too low for top colleges like MIT?
I don’t think I’m a bad writer, and I’m confident that I will at least get a 4 on the AP Lang Exam. Should I retake the SAT for the essay?
@ming3282 Don’t even stress about the essay. The essay’s on ACT/SAT are pointless. They are more of a formality right now nobody cares about them. Btw nice job on the 1540.
Thank you!
When you are aiming for the ivies, be sure to have good EC’s. At that level, mostly everyone has excellent academics already, so you need to stand out.
Hey guys, what do you think of my EC’s so far?
Varsity sport for at least two years now in 2/3 sports this year 3/3
Captain for indoor and outdoor track.
Student council member 2 years
VP for Student Council
Interact Club member
NHS member
co-treasurer for NHS (not common since positions are usually held by seniors only)
Class treasurer for 2 years now.
Varsity club treasurer.
I have a good amount of community service as I’ve collected over 50 hours this year,
Didn’t finish >_<
I don’t know if I have done enough for colleges, but I am really involved in my school which revolves around my community. I also have a winter job and a summer job. If you guys have any suggestions for what more I can do, it would very much be appreciated.
Guys I think my senioritis is coming early. Two skip days in two weeks! I mean, all my classes are 95+ right now so not much is going to lower them at this point. Only like four people in my trig class have above a 93, so I think I’m good lol.
Woohoo, I have a four day weekend because of random Canadian holidays :))!