NationStates Jolt Archive

Let me start off by saying that my high-school guidance counselors have me to deal with, plus 4,199 other kids. So their focus on me is limited to "Okay, just take this class and out of my office."

I'm a sophomore in a Californian public high school (Which received the 2005 California Distinguish School Award). Half-Hispanic, Half-Indian. My financial situation is limited to a bus driver's salary plus child support.

Currently, I'm taking honors classes such as Chemistry, World History, Language Arts, and Pre-Calculus alongside non-honors in Spanish 2 and doing a sport as well. I currently have all guaranteed A's for my first semester report card save for Honors Chem and Honors Language Arts (Although I'm still fighting to raise Chem to an A, it's so close).

I really do want to apply to the best schools of the nation when I start getting there and applying. Ivy League schools, maybe?

Next year as a junior, I want to challenge myself further: AP U.S. History, AP Chem, AP Physics, Lanuage Arts Honors, and perhaps AP Calculus (as opposed to regular), and a sport.

Now, I'm not able to do much extracurricular activities. My autistic brother makes it difficult to schedule a day. What I do enjoy doing (since the 8th grade) is National History Day. If any of you know what this competition is, I made it to the state finals in 2004 (8th grade), county finals in 2005 (9th), and this year I'm hoping for state finals again and perhaps the nationals.

Now, am I headed in the right direction? Am I making a smart choice in taking both AP Chem and AP Physics? I have regular contact with students in both classes, and I believe I can be up to the task. Of course, either I take the Spanish 3 equivelent class in either my local community college and do A.P. Spanish 4 in my senior year, or I just do Spanish 3 in my senior year.

Ah, I'm all over the place as to what I need to do. Any suggestions at all, or telling me if I'm on the right track to the top American colleges.

Ah, and yes I did take the PSAT and received my score today.

Critical Reading: 67 (Top 3 percentile)
Math: 47 (I can explain, I freaked out at the thought of losing points for wrong answers and left 12 blank)
Writing Skills: 49 (Which amazed me, it does not compliment anything else I've done)

Anyway, my Selection Index was 160, and in the 67th percentile amongst college bound juniors (Though I don't understand if it means I'm in the top 67% or bottom 67%)

I think you are great Colodia....:)

you are definitely on the right track with thoughts of challenging yourself and pushing forward. You must be extremely intelligent and if you keep those A's going, perhaps you can get scholarships to pay for your college. There are a lot of student loan programs available that dont make you pay them until you've graduated college and have a good job....very low interest rates. There are also a lot of companies that will repay your loans if you go to work for them on a contract basis....like commit to 2 years or something like that.

I think your attitude will ensure that you succeed. Study hard and make the grade. I wish you the best.

I think you are great Colodia....:)

you are definitely on the right track with thoughts of challenging yourself and pushing forward. You must be extremely intelligent and if you keep those A's going, perhaps you can get scholarships to pay for your college. There are a lot of student loan programs available that dont make you pay them until you've graduated college and have a good job....very low interest rates. There are also a lot of companies that will repay your loans if you go to work for them on a contract basis....like commit to 2 years or something like that.

I think your attitude will ensure that you succeed. Study hard and make the grade. I wish you the best.
Ah thanks. But I fear that on a national level I won't make it to the best colleges, I mean, an Ivy League one would be great.

Ah thanks. But I fear that on a national level I won't make it to the best colleges, I mean, an Ivy League one would be great.
Speaking from experience as a kid who was denied Ivy League (and if it happens, you can cry on my shoulder, I know what it's like), you're going to appear a lot more impressive if you with IB (International Baccalaureate) classes rather than just AP. Check and see if any of the schools in your area have an IB programme, but you may spend first semester playing catch-up.

If this is an option, IB is a lot more amazing on a transcript than AP.

That, and just.....do community service out the wazoo. They love that, too.

IB is the way to go to bad I wasn't motivated to do either. A good portion of my school go ivey league or least apply just to prove to themselves that they could get in. The same with community service like what the above poster said.

Oye, I don't think they offer anything even close to the IB program around here...Believe me, I've been around and know what my area offers. The place of the pinnacle of intelligence in this county is the University of California, Riverside.

To answer your percentile question, scoring in the 67th percentile means you scored better than 67% of the people taking the test... so you're roughly in the top third.

As for whether your college prep is on track, it depends very much on what you want to be when you grow up. ;) Well, at least what you want to get out of your undergraduate experience.

You mention that you want to apply to an Ivy League school. Why? Is it just the prestige or a particular program you have in mind? There are some studies out there that the actual education you get at Harvard, et al., isn't any better (or even as good) as you can get at some smaller, less prestigious schools. Since you are already in California, you have access to some very good institutions at a reduced rate (full rides to Ivy League are few and far between and often involve attempts to "import" diversity--which raises the question, how do you feel about truly being a minority on campus).

Anyway, that's kind of a rambly way to say "it depends" and don't sell non-Ivies short. Do some research for the best schools in your areas of interest and contact the schools themselves (rather than depending on your over-worked and less-than-interested guidance counselor).

But no matter what you decide ... I heartily second community work and summer activities (for example, Fleming Scholar if you're into biology).

Good on ya for thinking about this early.

Well, AP is not dual enrollment.

AP is basically an honors class where you get the option of taking a test which gives you college credits if you pass it. That's how it was at my school at least.

Half-Hispanic, Half-Indian. My financial situation is limited to a bus driver's salary plus child support.


right there
you have pretty much free schooling, if not from government then from thousands of scholorships

right there
you have pretty much free schooling, if not from government then from thousands of scholorships
If Indian is Native American in this case, he has a free ride. Plus, from what he is taking, that will cement it.

Precisely. You will get lots and lots of mail saying stuff about getting a Hispanic Award thing. It happened to my sister, and she's only a quarter Cuban. You might even get letters in all Spanish. It happened to her...and she takes French.

I'm hoping that it happens to me. But if I get invited to a little party thing, they are going to just look at me and tell me that white boys convention is up the road. I do not look the least bit Cuban.

Anyways, back on topic, the harder the classes you take, the more you stand out. The more you stand out, the better you will look to colleges. Also, doing lots of extra-curricular activities (other than sports) really helps in places like Harvard.

right there
you have pretty much free schooling, if not from government then from thousands of scholorships
Ah, no. It's Asian Indian.

Though I may have a great or great great grandmother who was a Native American...perhaps. Don't think that'd help though.

Ah, no. It's Asian Indian.

Though I may have a great or great great grandmother who was a Native American...perhaps. Don't think that'd help though.
If you are more than 1/8th Native American and can prove it, you are covered. But yeah, there are all of those Hispanic ones too. You will have scholarships coming out your ears.

To answer your percentile question, scoring in the 67th percentile means you scored better than 67% of the people taking the test... so you're roughly in the top third.

As for whether your college prep is on track, it depends very much on what you want to be when you grow up. ;) Well, at least what you want to get out of your undergraduate experience.

You mention that you want to apply to an Ivy League school. Why? Is it just the prestige or a particular program you have in mind? There are some studies out there that the actual education you get at Harvard, et al., isn't any better (or even as good) as you can get at some smaller, less prestigious schools. Since you are already in California, you have access to some very good institutions at a reduced rate (full rides to Ivy League are few and far between and often involve attempts to "import" diversity--which raises the question, how do you feel about truly being a minority on campus).

Anyway, that's kind of a rambly way to say "it depends" and don't sell non-Ivies short. Do some research for the best schools in your areas of interest and contact the schools themselves (rather than depending on your over-worked and less-than-interested guidance counselor).

But no matter what you decide ... I heartily second community work and summer activities (for example, Fleming Scholar if you're into biology).

Good on ya for thinking about this early.Well, as an undergraduate I want to (at the moment) do Political Science, perhaps in the future going into Law.

It's the prestiege that attracts me to Ivy League schools. I guess it's my personality. I want to shoot for the very best at what I do. Anything less than perfect is complete failure in my eyes. It's like how anorexics/bulemics view themselves as fat when they are very skinny.

And about the minority thing, I don't care at all really. Never see it as a limiting factor on me that I should even consider.

Heck, I wouldn't even look to minority-based scholarships if it wasn't for my financial situation.

If you are more than 1/8th Native American and can prove it, you are covered. But yeah, there are all of those Hispanic ones too. You will have scholarships coming out your ears.
Really? Wow, I will be interrogating mom tonight...for my future.

I would check with the colleges that you want to attend, since you still have a year to go for preperation. They'll tell you the kinds of things they look for and you can go do what you haven't yet.

Also, Berkeley would get you out of the shallow end of the pool, as would Stanford. And then I can pick on you in person ;). Nah, not really...I don't want to drive over the hill and if you're considering schools like the Ivy ones I wouldn't suggest Santa Cruz (though it is structured like Harvard, that means fuck all).

What's more important than anything is what you want to study. Prestigious schools won't always be the best ones for what you want to study. I screwed that pooch and I was old when I did it. It was such a hassle and uphill struggle to get through college (I had to start from homeless) that it became disproportionatly important for me to graduate from a UC (my friends in high school all had advanced degrees from good schools). So I went to UC Santa Cruz, which I love, but I would have recieved a better and more focused film degree from SF State. (Well, UCLA, but I'm not going to the shallow end, dammit...see how willing I am to torpedo myself on principle? Don't be like me kids...)

So consider what you're going to do as an important factor in where you go. And then contact them. Their job is honestly is to pimp you in, though sometimes it feels like they think their job is to discourage you.

I would check with the colleges that you want to attend, since you still have a year to go for preperation. They'll tell you the kinds of things they look for and you can go do what you haven't yet.

Also, Berkeley would get you out of the shallow end of the pool, as would Stanford. And then I can pick on you in person ;). Nah, not really...I don't want to drive over the hill and if you're considering schools like the Ivy ones I wouldn't suggest Santa Cruz (though it is structured like Harvard, that means fuck all).

What's more important than anything is what you want to study. Prestigious schools won't always be the best ones for what you want to study. I screwed that pooch and I was old when I did it. It was such a hassle and uphill struggle to get through college (I had to start from homeless) that it became disproportionatly important for me to graduate from a UC (my friends in high school all had advanced degrees from good schools). So I went to UC Santa Cruz, which I love, but I would have recieved a better and more focused film degree from SF State. (Well, UCLA, but I'm not going to the shallow end, dammit...see how willing I am to torpedo myself on principle? Don't be like me kids...)

So consider what you're going to do as an important factor in where you go. And then contact them. Their job is honestly is to pimp you in, though sometimes it feels like they think their job is to discourage you.
Yep, good advice, thanks. At the moment it looks like I want to do Political Science. So I should look into these schools in what ways?

Well, as an undergraduate I want to (at the moment) do Political Science, perhaps in the future going into Law.

It's the prestiege that attracts me to Ivy League schools. I guess it's my personality. I want to shoot for the very best at what I do. Anything less than perfect is complete failure in my eyes. It's like how anorexics/bulemics view themselves as fat when they are very skinny.If you're thinking about law, you might check to see if there is an ABA/OJJDP youth court that you could participate in.

Shooting for the best is great, just remember that sometimes reputation isn't well-deserved. For political science you could do far worse than UofChicago or UTexas or any number of top-tier schools. They've got great reputations without the snootery of the Ivies. Do your research. :)

For your undergrad (as pre-law), the sky's the limit. PoliSci applicants to law school are a dime a dozen, so be sure to distinguish yourself (heck, get a Drama minor or something crazy but related to the kind of law you think you'll want to do). Your LSAT scores and a superior critical thinking ability will go a long way to getting you into law school.

And about the minority thing, I don't care at all really. Never see it as a limiting factor on me that I should even consider.

Heck, I wouldn't even look to minority-based scholarships if it wasn't for my financial situation.Just deliver the goods and don't worry about it. (Though I wouldn't spend much time tracking down long-lost Native American relatives--tribal membership has to be documented and someone who hasn't participated in tribal affairs up to the point of wanting a scholarship doesn't get many brownie points.

Good luck!

(I didn't realize that I was as old as Colodia)
I'm also a High School Sophomore. My honest opinion is not to get worked up about it. I mean the difference with our situations is that I know what I want to do with my life. However, my family's financial situation isn't the best, even though relatively my parents have good salaries. Putting one sister to Harvard and now sending the other through NYU puts a strain on things. What I try to do when I look at my courses is to look at things that will help me for what I want to do. For example, being that I want to be a sound and theatre technician, I am very Science intensive and am a year ahead in sciences (Freshman year science here is Introductory Physical Sciences, skipped it. Went to bio last year in stead and now am in Honors Chem). However, it is also important to challenge yourself. That's what my sisters tell me colleges look for. Next year, for example, I plan to take AP World History, AP Chemistry, Honors Physics, Honors Precal or AP Stats, and Honors English. This also means I'm probably dropping a language for a year (I'm in Italian III). I also plan to take Political Science courses through Harvard Extension Schools. Now, I haven't taken PSATs yet, but I'm going to soon, I think. What I think is important to do is to just take it a little at a time, but do as much as you can ahead of time and not at the last minute.

I hope that huge paragraph made sense to you.

Yep, good advice, thanks. At the moment it looks like I want to do Political Science. So I should look into these schools in what ways?
Berkeley and Stanford? I'd think so. If you wanted to be an activist then Santa Cruz is the place for you, though Berkeley would fit the bill without having to over-come the whole "Stoniest Campus" stigma (from a Rolling Stone article about us...but come on, she visited on 4:20 and was really just pissed because no one wanted to talk to the corperate magazine...I digress...)

Though if you have a chance to go to Harvard or Yale for law I imagine, and this is just conjecture, you're probably not going to do better.

For political science, this site (http://www.jajnsn.com/vanguarduniversities/politicalsci.html) puts Berkeley second after Harvard. So it certainly should be in your pack.

Too bad Arnie sliced the outreach programs that would have helped you pay for it, but there are plenty of ways left...I hope...

Berkeley and Stanford? I'd think so. If you wanted to be an activist then Santa Cruz is the place for you, though Berkeley would fit the bill without having to over-come the whole "Stoniest Campus" stigma (from a Rolling Stone article about us...but come on, she visited on 4:20 and was really just pissed because no one wanted to talk to the corperate magazine...I digress...)
I actually meant that when looking into the quality of a Political Science major, what should I look for in the school? ;)

Though if you have a chance to go to Harvard or Yale for law I imagine, and this is just conjecture, you're probably not going to do better.

For political science, this site (http://www.jajnsn.com/vanguarduniversities/politicalsci.html) puts Berkeley second after Harvard. So it certainly should be in your pack.

Too bad Arnie sliced the outreach programs that would have helped you pay for it, but there are plenty of ways left...I hope...
That certainly shall be put to good use though.

Colodia, take it from a ex-high schooler, a few tips for college admin.


Tell the everything, and I mean EVERYTHING! Your back round, your brother's condition, everything will have college recruiters salivating.
Don't worry so much. You'll get into a good college whatever you do. Hell, you could put us chums in General as some of your references!
Apply Out of State. Although it seems more expensive, out of state colleges can offer huge scholarships and lots of financial aid. I got a full ride offer from USF (University of South Florida).
SCHOLARSHIPS! There are tens of thousands of scholarships out there for the taking. Go get those.


And your minority/mixed back round will probably help you a lot.

Ah thanks. But I fear that on a national level I won't make it to the best colleges, I mean, an Ivy League one would be great.
Don't get fixated on "Ivy League." They're vastly overrated. So. Cal. has some really great universities and the state-supported ones would probably cut you a break for being a State resident.

College is what you make it, regardless of which one you attend ( with certain notable exceptions ). Decide what you want to major in, then take a look around SoCal to see which ones have a really good faculty in your chosen field, then pick the one that will give you the best tuition and fees break.

What are you going to major in? Do you know yet?

Colodia, take it from a ex-high schooler, a few tips for college admin.


Tell the everything, and I mean EVERYTHING! Your back round, your brother's condition, everything will have college recruiters salivating.
Don't worry so much. You'll get into a good college whatever you do. Hell, you could put us chums in General as some of your references!
Apply Out of State. Although it seems more expensive, out of state colleges can offer huge scholarships and lots of financial aid. I got a full ride offer from USF (University of South Florida).
SCHOLARSHIPS! There are tens of thousands of scholarships out there for the taking. Go get those.


And your minority/mixed back round will probably help you a lot.
Yep, I'm planning on milking those college applications for what they're worth.

Don't get fixated on "Ivy League." They're vastly overrated. So. Cal. has some really great universities and the state-supported ones would probably cut you a break for being a State resident.

College is what you make it, regardless of which one you attend ( with certain notable exceptions ). Decide what you want to major in, then take a look around SoCal to see which ones have a really good faculty in your chosen field, then pick the one that will give you the best tuition and fees break.

What are you going to major in? Do you know yet?If my interests stay the same for the next couple years, it'll be Political Science.

Im a junior in IB right now, and my psats are pretty high... But being a white jewish kid from Long Island, New York, my chances at scholarships to iveys arent so good. With ur classes and extra-curriculars u gotta great shot at more scholarships and better schools

I actually meant that when looking into the quality of a Political Science major, what should I look for in the school? ;)
Ah, right...ahem...you have to understand I went to a stoney school (ba dum dum). Well, a number of places rank schools based on programs. Another thing to look at is how impacted the major is in that school. If there are too many students shoe-horning themselves through it you are not going to get the schooling you want, you're more likely to get hustled through.

Also, look at the professors that teach at the schools you want to go to. Are they published? (They better be.) Look at thier writtings, do they hold up to what you're looking for? Don't just look for professors that you agree with, look for ones that are going to challenge you-one that holds opposite views would stimulate you more than just about anything, providing he doesn't just shut you down but actually engages you.

Look at the programs that are offered, and the classes. Are they ones you'd want to take? Do they have the concentrations you're looking for?

Lastly, look at the grad schools you want to go to, how do the undergraduate students from the school you want to go to fair when trying to get in? What is the success rate for getting undergrads into graduate school?


That certainly shall be put to good use though.
Sweet.

If my interests stay the same for the next couple years, it'll be Political Science.
Oh. Well, I feel compelled to say this, even though you're probably not going to want to hear it: you going into political science is, IMHO, a terrible waste of talent. If you've leveled with us about your grades and the courses you've taken/will be taking, you should shoot for the moon and go into science, perhaps something in basic research. Just my personal opinion, having taken much the same route myself, only to discover that I hated law school! :(

Ah, right...ahem...you have to understand I went to a stoney school (ba dum dum). Well, a number of places rank schools based on programs. Another thing to look at is how impacted the major is in that school. If there are too many students shoe-horning themselves through it you are not going to get the schooling you want, you're more likely to get hustled through.

Also, look at the professors that teach at the schools you want to go to. Are they published? (They better be.) Look at thier writtings, do they hold up to what you're looking for? Don't just look for professors that you agree with, look for ones that are going to challenge you-one that holds opposite views would stimulate you more than just about anything, providing he doesn't just shut you down but actually engages you.

Look at the programs that are offered, and the classes. Are they ones you'd want to take? Do they have the concentrations you're looking for?

Lastly, look at the grad schools you want to go to, how do the undergraduate students from the school you want to go to fair when trying to get in? What is the success rate for getting undergrads into graduate school?



Sweet.Ahhh....that makes it so much clearer. So now there actually DOES seem like a difference between colleges! :)

Yeah, in high school they don't go over stuff like this. It's all just "Do this and that and colleges will like you."

And they're only pushing us for UC's and Cal States.

Oh. Well, I feel compelled to say this, even though you're probably not going to want to hear it: you going into political science is, IMHO, a terrible waste of talent. If you've leveled with us about your grades and the courses you've taken/will be taking, you should shoot for the moon and go into science, perhaps something in basic research. Just my personal opinion, having taken much the same route myself, only to discover that I hated law school! :(
Well, science DOES interest me...but I don't know...I don't feel much pull from that field. I feel like as an American citizen, my citizenship is being raped and saturated by those who do not pay attention to current events and the government's actions. This seems like a step against that. Perhaps I will go into politics to try and fix this mess. Perhaps be a McCain myself.

In the area of medicine, that's a possibility...but I don't know.

I was hoping to minor in something like Drama. But I don't know...

Ahhh....that makes it so much clearer. So now there actually DOES seem like a difference between colleges! :)

Yeah, in high school they don't go over stuff like this. It's all just "Do this and that and colleges will like you."

And they're only pushing us for UC's and Cal States.
Well, ya gotta pimp for the home team ;)

Good luck man.

I'll throw in another note-don't do 'what you should,' that'll lead you down a hole. I've seen it so many times. I had a friend go through Cal Poly, get his masters in materials engineering, worked at Aerojet and decided that he didn't feel like spending his days making missles. He went back, got another degree and now councils at risk youths. Less money, more fulfilment. Or ask Lunatic Goofballs about this kind of thing.

Do what you want to do, not what people tell you you should. Remember, you're going to have to do it for the rest of your life-make sure you're going to want to. If you're this young and spend this much time arguing politics you're probably on track.

Also, look at the professors....And whether you'll be taught by the professor, or by his grad student TA. (At least in political science/history, there's a likelihood they speak English--not so much for science and math.)

Other things to look at:
-faculty/student ratio
- class size (lower and upper division--700 students in a class doesn't usually make for great interaction)
-writing requirements for graduation
-availability of an honors program (and what's required for it)
-support at the university level for internships and cooperatives
-your comfort level--if you're miserable, you're not going to do well.

Well, science DOES interest me...but I don't know...I don't feel much pull from that field. I feel like as an American citizen, my citizenship is being raped and saturated by those who do not pay attention to current events and the government's actions. This seems like a step against that. Perhaps I will go into politics to try and fix this mess. Perhaps be a McCain myself.

In the area of medicine, that's a possibility...but I don't know.

I was hoping to minor in something like Drama. But I don't know...
It will get you laid...unless you're a playwright....rackinfrackinstupidactorsgettingallthechicks... bastards...

And whether you'll be taught by the professor, or by his grad student TA. (At least in political science/history, there's a likelihood they speak English--not so much for science and math.)

Other things to look at:
-faculty/student ratio
- class size (lower and upper division--700 students in a class doesn't usually make for great interaction)
-writing requirements for graduation
-availability of an honors program (and what's required for it)
-support at the university level for internships and cooperatives
-your comfort level--if you're miserable, you're not going to do well.
Good calls.

And whether you'll be taught by the professor, or by his grad student TA. (At least in political science/history, there's a likelihood they speak English--not so much for science and math.)

Other things to look at:
-faculty/student ratio
- class size (lower and upper division--700 students in a class doesn't usually make for great interaction)
-writing requirements for graduation
-availability of an honors program (and what's required for it)
-support at the university level for internships and cooperatives
-your comfort level--if you're miserable, you're not going to do well.
Thanks for the heads up. What's an honors program in college anyway?

And what does one have to do in undergraduate school to get into a good graduate school? :confused:

It will get you laid...unless you're a playwright....rackinfrackinstupidactorsgettingallthechicks... bastards...
Funny thing, I no longer can't decide between acting or writing the play...;)

If you're this young and spend this much time arguing politics you're probably on track.
Yes well, if the President can be a cheer leader and end up being the President of the free world, I don't see why not. :D

Brb.

Funny thing, I no longer can't decide between acting or writing the play...;)

Do tech.
Really, just play to your strengths. I mean I'm giving myself time. Start off by taking the right courses in your school, if you have things like Law, Government, etc. for advanced courses if your looking at Political Science. Just try to be as proficient as you can in your desired field.

Well, science DOES interest me...but I don't know...I don't feel much pull from that field. I feel like as an American citizen, my citizenship is being raped and saturated by those who do not pay attention to current events and the government's actions. This seems like a step against that. Perhaps I will go into politics to try and fix this mess. Perhaps be a McCain myself.

In the area of medicine, that's a possibility...but I don't know.

I was hoping to minor in something like Drama. But I don't know...
Politics is both chancy and cut-throat. Your destiny is controlled by people you don't know and probably wouldn't like if you did.

Science, on the other hand, especially in research, is much more of a self-controlled discipline. Yes, I know you have to kow-tow to get grants and such, but once you're involved in the actual research, most won't understand, much less be able to control your every waking moment.

Unless I misjudge you completely, the idea of being more in control of your own destiny appeals to you.

Either way, good luck, and keep up the good work! :)

Politics is both chancy and cut-throat. Your destiny is controlled by people you don't know and probably wouldn't like if you did.

Science, on the other hand, especially in research, is much more of a self-controlled discipline. Yes, I know you have to kow-tow to get grants and such, but once you're involved in the actual research, most won't understand, much less be able to control your every waking moment.

Unless I misjudge you completely, the idea of being more in control of your own destiny appeals to you.

Either way, good luck, and keep up the good work! :)

Yeah, leave the political science to us idiotic loosers! :D

Yeah, leave the political science to us idiotic loosers! :D
ROFLMFAO!!!! Perxactly! :D

I'm leary of discouraging people from going into politics because they are too smart. If we encourage this notion, then we get the leadership we deserve.

I'm leary of discouraging people from going into politics because they are too smart. If we encourage this notion, then we get the leadership we deserve.

Hmmm...didn't Socrates say something about this...?

I'm leary of discouraging people from going into politics because they are too smart. If we encourage this notion, then we get the leadership we deserve.
It's not because he's "too smart" that I was somewhat discouraging him from a political career, it's that I don't see his personality as being one which would lend itself to the vagaries of political rough-and-tumble. And, IMHO, what is needed in the political arena is fewer lawyers and more honest people from other professions.

Ivy League colleges don't always give the best education, and where you go depends on what you want to do.

Because we were strapped for money, my daughter, using the G.I. bill (she was in the Navy) went to community college for her A.Sc. (and was Life Sciences student of distinction her last year), then to state college for her B.Sc. Because the schools were well founded in her specialty, she had no problem getting into graduate school at Loma Linda University (one of the best health sciences schools in the country).

My advice would be to concentrate on getting the best education available to you (not necessarily at a "prestige school") for your undergraduate schooling and you will, almost certainly, get into the graduate school of your choice - and that is what future employers will look at.

Ivy League colleges don't always give the best education, and where you go depends on what you want to do.

Because we were strapped for money, my daughter, using the G.I. bill (she was in the Navy) went to community college for her A.Sc. (and was Life Sciences student of distinction her last year), then to state college for her B.Sc. Because the schools were well founded in her specialty, she had no problem getting into graduate school at Loma Linda University (one of the best health sciences schools in the country).

My advice would be to concentrate on getting the best education available to you (not necessarily at a "prestige school") for your undergraduate schooling and you will, almost certainly, get into the graduate school of your choice - and that is what future employers will look at.
Good advice! :)

I would definitley say you should make sure you take some sort of SAT prep course. From the looks of that first post it seems you are very smart, but it also looks like you kind of had a flop on your PSAT. I just got my results back for that today. My Selection Index is 208 (over 97th percentile compared to U.S. sophomores who took it), which was the cut off for National Merit awards last year, although it could vary a little bit this year. I will get to take the PSAT again next year, and assuming I do about this good or better, I might be able to Get to National Merit Semifinalist.

I would definitley say you should make sure you take some sort of SAT prep course. From the looks of that first post it seems you are very smart, but it also looks like you kind of had a flop on your PSAT. I just got my results back for that today. My Selection Index is 208 (over 97th percentile compared to U.S. sophomores who took it), which was the cut off for National Merit awards last year, although it could vary a little bit this year. I will get to take the PSAT again next year, and assuming I do about this good or better, I might be able to Get to National Merit Semifinalist.

I would definitley say you should make sure you take some sort of SAT prep course. From the looks of that first post it seems you are very smart, but it also looks like you kind of had a flop on your PSAT. I just got my results back for that today. My Selection Index is 208 (over 97th percentile compared to U.S. sophomores who took it), which was the cut off for National Merit awards last year, although it could vary a little bit this year. I will get to take the PSAT again next year, and assuming I do about this good or better, I might be able to Get to National Merit Semifinalist.

I'd rethink the Ivy League if I were you, what with the great public system in California, and if you want the prestige, you can always shoot for Stanford--it's got all the rep (and the expense) of the Ivy League, but when I was there, I saw a lot of kids who couldn't afford to be there, but the University was hooking them up.

The organization thing isn't as important as the grades/community service combo and the SAT scores. Knock those out and you've got a shot. And bust your ass on the essays if that's part of the application--they won't get you in on their own, but they can sure keep you out.

You're a good writer and a smart kid, Colodia, and I have the feeling you can get into any school you want. Just ask yourself if you're looking for name or education, and then look for schools based on that criteria.

Well, you know, I've got at least a year before I begin applying to colleges. I'll definately look beyond Ivy League, just that I want to set a standard for myself to aim toward.

Well, you know, I've got at least a year before I begin applying to colleges. I'll definately look beyond Ivy League, just that I want to set a standard for myself to aim toward.
By no means compromise your standards, regardless of what you choose to do, or which college you choose to attend. That goes almost without saying.

Colodia-
relax take a deep breath and enjoy high school. iam a junior and i (still) have no idea where i want to go to college and what i want to study when iam there. if your PSAT scores are any indication you should have no problum on your SAT's. and your grades are not going to give you any trouble eather. so relax and enjoy high school get out and do some fun extra c's.
your only a sophomore, dont start worring about colleges untill the end of your junior year, you will do fine.:)
and good luck if you do end up taking all those AP classes;)

Colodia-
relax take a deep breath and enjoy high school. iam a junior and i (still) have no idea where i want to go to college and what i want to study when iam there. if your PSAT scores are any indication you should have no problum on your SAT's. and your grades are not going to give you any trouble eather. so relax and enjoy high school get out and do some fun extra c's.
your only a sophomore, dont start worring about colleges untill the end of your junior year, you will do fine.:)
and good luck if you do end up taking all those AP classes;)
Im a freshmen and so far all ive gotten out of highschool is learning procrastination and rationalization.
Example: here i sit at 12:30 deciding what hw to do and what not to do, while on NS and xbox live. I certainly have a bright future ahead of me

When you talk about the top schools in the nation, you have to consider that while you may be exceptional, there are still many, number wise who are. I read somewhere once that Harvard every year can just about fill their first year class three times over with JUST the valedictorians that apply.

As for the best schools, of course Berkley and Stamford are great, and within the northeast do not discount many EXCELLENT liberal arts schools, especially with a prospective background in poli sci.

As far as the Liberal Arts schools go, many have reputations comparable to those of the Ivys, at least as far as anyone "in the know" knows, probably chief amont them are the "little three", sorta the Northeast liberal arts schools equivilent of the Ivys, namely Wesleyan (University, in Connecticut, not Wesleyan College in Ohio), Williams, and Amherst. Generally the top tier liberal arts schools are considered in the same league as the Ivys.

Check out a book called the Gatekeepers, it's about the admission process in the most selective schools in the nation. I BELIEVE they profiled Wesleyan U as the model for the prototypical "top tier extreemly competative school"

ah welcome to the real world:p
dont feel bad i should be studying for an anatomy and phys final that i have tomarrow. Procrastination is a good thing if you apply it properly.
and if you are a freshman that means you have eaven more time to not worry about college, and to learn important things like exactly how long you can wait to write a paper and still get an A on it and how to manage your time, and teh most important one, how to sleep in class without getting cought :p

ah welcome to the real world:p
dont feel bad i should be studying for an anatomy and phys final that i have tomarrow. Procrastination is a good thing if you apply it properly.
and if you are a freshman that means you have eaven more time to not worry about college, and to learn important things like exactly how long you can wait to write a paper and still get an A on it and how to manage your time, and teh most important one, how to sleep in class without getting cought :p
Hmmm sleeping in class. I could write a graduate thesis on it. Math class i sleep about 80% of the time-the time I am awake is to tkae tests and grade hw. Biology I am not so lucky. Yelled at two days in a row. Gonna be three if I dont get started on my hw assignment RIGHT NOW. (Ive been saying that since 730... almost 5 hours ago :( stupid NS and xbox..)

Colodia, what happened on the writing section of the PSAT, im a freshmen and I scored in the top 86% of college bound juniors. I just want to know what happened there.

First of all - hi to South Islands! Let's get the NS MSU party organized soon.

To Colodia - You wondered about honors programs at universities. I go to MSU and am in the honors college here as a Mech. Eng. major. To get in, you need a certain GPA and/or SAT/ACT score. (By the way, if you even think you will go to anywhere not on the coasts, take the ACT. The schools in the interior generally like it more.) Most noticably, the honors college requires me to take honors courses, 8 total to be exact. That's no biggie. The big difference is the opportunities that I have. In the h.c., we can get professor assistantships which pay a whole lot, we get to sign up for classes before everyone else, there are special honors activities, and I even live on an honors floor in one of the "better" dorms which I never would have gotten into otherwise. That's just what I know about here at MSU. In high school, I decided to go here based on the availability of individual attention in the honors program. Honestly, I only applied here and to U of M, where I never would consider going (I'm a 3rd gen. Spartan), but I think I could have gotten into one of the big universities where I never would have revieved the same personalized attention as I do here at the h.c. at MSU. An exception in MI would be Kettering, one of the top engineering schools in the nation with only 10,000 odd students, 1/2 on co-op at any one time. Small, lesser known schools like Kettering are another option for you, but the trade-off is going to a really small school. BTW, look into the whether the school's learning environment is cooperative (like MSU or Kettering) or competitive (like U of M).

About your proposed courses in high school, I would look into how the schools you are considering take the AP credit, because it can really make a difference. I got 20 credits at MSU from AP U.S. Hist., Chem., English lit., and Calculus. At U of M, I would have gotten something like 10-13. Also, be ready for the workload of the AP classes. I think an approximation of the difficulty of an AP class is about twice as hard and four times as much work as a regular class (depending on the teacher and class of course), so be warned. APUSH was about 8 hours of homework/studying a week, APChem about 6, APEng about 5, and APCalc about 10. I was pretty maxed out in high school junior/senior year with 3 sports, 4 bands, quizbusters, and being an NHS officer. That's another thing. JOIN NHS. It is mandatory. Schools love it, especially if you are an officer. I was our treasurer, which required almost no work outside of school. The other non-president posts are good too, but being the president usually means a whole lot of work.

Well, this is all I could think of for now. Hope it helps. Also, don't take everything too seriously, becuse then you lose the whole point of living.

Hey, everybody join this: http://www.frappr.com/nationstatesgeneral

Well after over 6 hours of careful deliberation I have come to a decision about my hw at 1:15am. Math-I did about 3/4 Lang Arts- Did about half Biology-errr incomplete Spanish-didnt even attempt.

Tomorow will most likely be more of the same. In the meen time I will go catch my five hours of sleep.