(Deleted bc this was the wrong thread)
I started writing an option for my common app essay, and I had a really strong first sentence (I’m really good at those) but now I’m kind of just lost on where to go next rip. Also to be honest I’m not quite sure what category my essay is in, but I think it might fit for the “event that marked your transition from childhood into adulthood,” but not really because it takes place over the past 5 years, but in the same spot. Now that I’m describing it, it sounds like the Costco essay that went around recently. Whoops haha
I’m planning on finally finishing my regular Common App essays tomorrow. On Tuesday for SAMS, our essays are going to be reviewed and edited by the creative writing team here at CMU. I also have my interview on Tuesday and I’m going to come in “asserting my dominance” with my resume in hand. I have drafts of both of my essays (both of which are halfway done).
@Marg532 Don’t worry if you don’t find a category where your essay may belong, as you can include it in the “Topic of your Choice” category 
I’m also kind of concerned about counselor recs. My counselor decided to retire after 64 years of teaching/counseling and because she only retired three weeks ago. The school has yet to find a replacement. I’m honestly really glad she’s happy and that she decided to retire since that woman honestly deserves it after so long, but the only negative thing, which I kind of feel selfish about, is that she knows me so well after talking to her so much. During junior year, I went to see her at least twice on average every week to talk about my school life. Based on how much she got to know me junior year alone, she would’ve written a killer recommendation. I just don’t think I’m going my new counselor will be able to say the same things about me as my old counselor would. I’m planning on email her to see if she wouldn’t mind writing one for me. She has retired, but she continuing to do community service, bless her heart!
@ak2018 I have a similar dilemma with my counselor. I’m getting switched to another counselor who has worked at our school, but who I’ve never really talked to before. It’s a bit frustrating, but what can you do? Haha
I just checked my email and, me being me, had to sift through a few weeks worth of mail. Then I saw that AP sent me an email recently that wasn’t about the scores coming out. Apparently I earned the AP Scholar award and didn’t know it until now? It’s not much (I’ve only taken 3 tests so far, 5 by the end of the year next year), and a lot of people probably get it, but I’m pretty proud of myself!
I heven’t even started on my essays yet, yikes!
I am going to Space Center University in Houston! The camp starts on Monday but I am flying out today. I am super excited and will probably spend a lot of my money on more NASa gear. I already have a hat, sweatshirt, and a couple reusable bags.
I’ll try and start essays while I am gone but no promises on that. I also need to actually get a list of schools set in stone.
Just found out I have a scheduling conflict. ugh. I need to meet with my counselor but idk what this will mean for my senior year schedule. Plus, I have registration for my college course on Wednesday. I’ve never had an issue before but idk.
I just found out the UGA essays and I am so excited about the required one… now to tell the story of how I ripped my pants or when I scored my one and only goal in my lacrosse season…decisions decisions.
My mom and I are also doing a little mini college tour in Sept. We’re heading Thursday night to UGA, touring on Friday then heading to U of Alabama to tour on Sat morning. Super excited since I will be hitting two of my top five schools in one weekend.
Also a little pat on the back to myself. I got one of two of my required AP Lit books for the summer, and I am about half way done with my AP Gov summer work.
@madison2000 let me know how Bama goes! It’s one of my top schools but I doubt I’ll get to visit it. I’ve been doing research online, but nothing can match actually being on campus.
Is anyone studying for the ACT with PrepFactory or would like to? It’s free and I’ve been using it to study, they have games and social studying, if anyone wants to study or play ACT games, pm me and I’ll send you my link!!
@madison2000 @carmen00 I’m also going to see Bama August 4th. Please let me know you guys’ thoughts on the school! I want to major in engineering there but I’m mostly interested bc of the auto scholarship…
Just bleached my hair!!! Been waiting four years to do this!
Hey guys! How’s everyone doing? Jeez, I’ve had a busy summer. I first started with a drive up to Boston where I toured MIT & Harvard, and then I participated in the MIT football camp. It was my favorite football camp that I’ve ever been too, and the coaches were awesome & they want to support me applying EA. I then drove to Princeton to participate in a camp there. It was a little more a waste of my time as the Defensive line coach focused on a couple players that he really care sabot and I got left in the dust of nothingness, but I learned a little bit and I dipped my toe in talking to NESCAC schools and my local Johns Hopkins. My dad and I then embarked to a camp at Yale where I definitely got to do more, and I was approached by a bunch of different coaches. We then drive to the Midwest to see Michigan and Illinois U-C for regular tours (I’m definitely not good enough to play football here). Finally, I’m currently leaving Pittsburgh because I spent the day at a Carnegie Mellon rising senior day for football. The campus was cool, and I’m pretty sure that I’ll try to play here.
Started a coalition application account because my state flagship (UW) is one of the THREE SCHOOLS IN THE NATION THat only accepts coalitions apps, whyyy? I like some of the ways that information is spread out (like there is a description and a awards/leadership/honors section for every extracurricular activity but its annoying because there’s no way to preview stuff, you have to enter EVERY SINGLE CLASS you’ve ever taken in high school (that’s what the transcript is for??) and it doesn’t reorder stuff easily.
@snowfairy137 I have to apply for Penn State through Coalition. 
@ak2018 Penn State has its own app on its portal! I would do that over the coalition app. Also, Penn State does not give much aid at all. I would apply early to Millennium Scholars and the Honors college. I was a finalist for Millennium last year and can tell you more about the process. I am not attending PSU as OU has a comparable program and gave me more money.
Also, anyone who is NM: look at colleges with full rides over Ivies and other schools like that. A good undergraduate GPA and no debt is a better deal any day.
@snowfairy137 I FEEL your pain. My state flagship, UMD, is one of the other two schools to be Coalition, and it’s extra annoying cause my school does everything through naviance and thy have the deal with common app for letters of rec and such.