Hi- I have a 4.0 GPA, but I haven’t taken the SAT, ACT, or any of my 5 AP exams. I am currently taking 2 classes. If anyone has any saving help, please tell me. I’m graduating early so I haven’t had time to do the 5 AP courses. I’m planning to take 5 more AP courses junior year, but does anyone have some saving grace tips to help me with all of these issues?!! I’m super new to everything college wise but my entire life I have prioritized my academics. Pleaseee!! Thank you so much in advance.
Why are you graduating early? And when will that be happening?
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So you are a high school sophomore right now?
When you ask about “Cambridge,” do you mean the English university? Or do you mean Harvard, in Cambridge, MA?
I mean the Cambridge University in UK.
I will graduate in the end of May, 2025. I’m doing it simply as a choice, because I don’t want to do senior year, especially considering I already have all my credits needed, besides my last year. I need 7 more credits, which will be done junior year. I also know I’m at an advantage being 16 and done with high school. Hope that clears some things up!
Yes, I am.
Actually, at some colleges being 16 is a disadvantage. Some places have restrictions on dorms for students who won’t be 18 or close to it sometime during freshman year.
Cambridge doesn’t have this restriction.
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Actually, you will be at a huge disadvantage
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Actually, graduating early and being 16 is a problem for many selective colleges. If you’ve exhausted the classes your HS offers, see whether they offer dual enrollment and do that for jr/sr year.
(A more expensive but mind-broadening option is spending a year at a HS abroad).
What’s your current math class? Foreign language level? Have you taken bio/chem/physics already?
What do you want to “read” (study) at Cambridge?
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By applying. If you don’t, you can’t
Good luck.
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I guess. I just hoped it would be proof of my tenacity, but it can be a disadvantage in terms of dorms and just major stress levels. Any advice? My graduation date is set in stone. Thank you
Hey! (1) So I am doing dual credit during the summer. My current math class is Advanced Algebra 2 (highest course level sophomores get in my school) (2)I completed advanced chemistry, advanced biology, and I will do AP bio, and AP physics next year. I will do the AP Microeconomics, AP statistics, AP Comp Science principles, and AP environmental science test this May, as independent studies. (3) I completed two years of Spanish language credits, travelled to the UK before, and speak almost fluent Russian (I am half European.) I hope to major in either business/finance, or international law/political sciences.
I think you need calculus.
You seem a fine student but one of many. What makes you stand out ?
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Don’t graduate early. Or take a gap year. And expand your sights beyond Cambridge
It will raise questions about maturity and whether you could fit in socially.
Well, there is no business/finance course for new undergrads. And for economics you need Calc BC and preferably both AP micro and macro. But for law / politics, your APs should include history (preferably European) and Comp Gov. Whatever course you choose, they want relevant APs, so 3 science APs for law won’t get you far.
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From tsbna44’s link:
So you should probably start there.
Also note this as you begin your test prep:
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This probably isn’t what you want to hear - but ask yourself: why do you want to go to this one university so ardently? There are many fine universities all over the world, and when a high school sophomore (meaning a 15-year-old) sets his or her heart on just one of them, there’s a high likelihood that romantic thinking is unduly influential. (If you’ve never seen the classic film Breaking Away, it might be worth two hours of your time.)
How about some smaller, more gradual ways to see if England and the English system of education is for you? Oxbridge is structured very differently from US high schools, as you likely know. How about an exchange program to England when you would be a senior? How about a summer trip?
Go slow, take your time, careful baby steps, don’t get too low, don’t get too high…
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I am considering other options. I have, however, always maintained the goal to go to a prestigious college
There are many and prestige is in the eye of the beholder. There’s not some official list.
I suppose. Is it possible to go a university in California as a college freshman, then finish my education in Cambridge?
I don’t know -review their transfer policy.
Reach for the stars but have plan B and C.
I think you’ll need calc but as the school suggests, you should talk to them.