NationStates Jolt Archive

Next year, I'll be taking the following classes for sure as a junior in high school:
AP US History
AP Calculus (AB I believe it is)
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
Language Arts 3 Honors

So that's 5 classes, we get 6 maximum.

Normally, I have always planned on doing a sport for that final 6th period class. For the first half of the first semester, I've planned on doing Water Polo again for school, and after that...perhaps get early-dismissal and perhaps work somewhere like Best Buy near my school?

For the second semester, I have an option. Should I continue early-dismissal and get some money and help out mom? Or should I become a lab assistant to my AP Chemistry teacher?

See, as a lab assistant, our teacher (Who is a Doctor...) will be able to give us a better recommendation letter than the norm. We'd get those 2 hours for studying time (I am taking two science classes at once...), plus the doctor has connections to an analytical lab in our city. That lab lets us set our own hours to work and everything.

I want what I do in high school to count toward college (Hence, 5 AP/Honors classes at once). Does early-dismissal hurt an admission application even though you have a justified reason? I can't possibly look like a slacker, 5 hard classes! Or should I got to the lab assistant path and perhaps see where that takes me?

NS General, you guys have more experience than me. What are your opinions? Thanks in advance...I'll be reading up on everything.

Wait, wait, wait. They let you choose courses in your high school? What the fuck??

Wait, wait, wait. They let you choose courses in your high school? What the fuck??
Doesn't every high school?

I know as freshmen we have classes we're required to take...but as we become upperclassmen that's thrown out the window.

Doesn't every high school?

I know as freshmen we have classes we're required to take...but as we become upperclassmen that's thrown out the window.

Not mine, that's for sure. Then again, I get correspondence...

Not mine, that's for sure. Then again, I get correspondence...
How sad, how do you shape your own future?

Next year, I'll be taking the following classes for sure as a junior in high school:
AP US History
AP Calculus (AB I believe it is)
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
Language Arts 3 Honors


i sudenly feel very stupid:(

Doesn't every high school?

Fuck no.

How sad, how do you shape your own future?

Well, my correspondence school is nationally recognised (Lincoln Academy in Lincoln, Illinois), so when I graduate with straight A's, I can go to any university I wish. That is how I will shape my future, though I would've liked to've had more control over my high school education.

Well, my correspondence school is nationally recognised (Lincoln Academy in Lincoln, Illinois), so when I graduate with straight A's, I can go to any university I wish. That is how I will shape my future, though I would've liked to've had more control over my high school education.
Ew, ours is just a top Californian school.

Ew, ours is just a top Californian school.

"Ew"? Well, not all of us have money flowing out of our asses, thank you very much.

"Ew"? Well, not all of us have money flowing out of our asses, thank you very much.
I go to public school and get free lunch...:confused:

And dinero-diahrria sounds really good right about now!

I go to public school and get free lunch...:confused:

And dinero-diahhria sounds really good right about now!

That's first class California education, there.

That's first-class California education, there.
:D

It's not a word I like to associate myself with anyway. One of those few words that creeps into your sentences and you don't even know how to spell it.

:D

It's not a word I like to associate myself with anyway. One of those few words that creeps into your sentences and you don't even know how to spell it.

Yeah, it has all the elements: It burns, sometimes it hurts, and sometimes you can't even feel it coming.

No. It will not hurt you what so ever. Colleges look at classes you did take, not ones you could have taken.

And if they do ask about it, you do have a good excuse. In fact, you might get a bigger boost from helping your mom and brother (IIRC) than you would from taking another class.

EDIT: And those are some damned advanced classes for a Junior. Assuming pretty decent grades, you really won't have to worry about getting into college. Admissions workers will be all over you trying to get you to accept a scholarship.

No. It will not hurt you what so ever. Colleges look at classes you did take, not ones you could have taken.

And if they do ask about it, you do have a good excuse. In fact, you might get a bigger boost from helping your mom and brother (IIRC) than you would from taking another class.

EDIT: And those are some damned advanced classes for a Junior. Assuming pretty decent grades, you really won't have to worry about getting into college. Admissions workers will be all over you trying to get you to accept a scholarship.
Actually man, I feel like I'm trying to catch up.

There was a program offered to us freshmen last year where I could've taken Honors World History at that year. Instead, I took it in the 10th grade like 95% of other freshmen. Man that hurt me, all my 10th grade friends are done with World History and are taking either AP European History or AP Psychology.

So I feel the need to catch up.

Actually man, I feel like I'm trying to catch up.

There was a program offered to us freshmen last year where I could've taken Honors World History at that year. Instead, I took it in the 10th grade like 95% of other freshmen. Man that hurt me, all my 10th grade friends are done with World History and are taking either AP European History or AP Psychology.

So I feel the need to catch up.

At least your school offers AP Euro...:(

Still, you'll do fine. You're getting to worred about this whole admissions thing. It's not that hard. As long as you don't want to go to an ivy league, admissions are not that hard. Hell, if I got in with my 3.3 and 33 ACT, you can too.

At least your school offers AP Euro...:(

Still, you'll do fine. You're getting to worred about this whole admissions thing. It's not that hard. As long as you don't want to go to an ivy league, admissions are not that hard. Hell, if I got in with my 3.3 and 33 ACT, you can too.
Columbia University looks good. It's a liberal arts school, it's an Ivy League, offers up Political History....

I haven't exactly looked into colleges I really want to go to.

Columbia University looks good. It's a liberal arts school, it's an Ivy League, offers up Political History....

I haven't exactly looked into colleges I really want to go to.

Dude, don't got to an Ivy League. They're massively expensive, and you can get the same education at a Michigan or Florida.

And don't go into politics. Please. We need people like you to be out doing things, not debating the congressional chinese order in washington.

Actually man, I feel like I'm trying to catch up.

There was a program offered to us freshmen last year where I could've taken Honors World History at that year. Instead, I took it in the 10th grade like 95% of other freshmen. Man that hurt me, all my 10th grade friends are done with World History and are taking either AP European History or AP Psychology.

So I feel the need to catch up.
AP Psychology, mm, college level bullshit.

Dude, don't got to an Ivy League. They're massively expensive, and you can get the same education at a Michigan or Florida.

And don't go into politics. Please. We need people like you to be out doing things, not debating the congressional chinese order in washington.
How about I raise the maturity level of Congress and wave my penis during debates with the Republicans? ;)

Apparently, Ivy Leagues will pay for my education. My family doesn't have a lot of money to pay for college. I've kinda gotta find that part out for myself.

How about I raise the maturity level of Congress and wave my penis during debates with the Republicans? ;)

Apparently, Ivy Leagues will pay for my education. My family doesn't have a lot of money to pay for college. I've kinda gotta find that part out for myself.

Scholarships. There are tens of thousands of scholarships out there. The colleges also provide some, especially out of staters. Hell, I applied to USF as my safety school, and they offered me a FULL RIDE! I didn't take it, but they offered because I'm an out of stater.

Have you considered one of the service academies? They're free, good resume material, and you get a good job for 5 years after you graduate.


Student loans are also good.

Columbia University looks good. It's a liberal arts school, it's an Ivy League, offers up Political History.....

Wouldn't you be happy in the natural sciences? C'mon, take the lab assistant job, go on to discover something nobody else could've imagined...

The sciences...come...join us.....jooooiiiin uuuuuussssss........

Wouldn't you be happy in the natural sciences? C'mon, take the lab assistant job, go on to discover something nobody else could've imagined...

The sciences...come...join us.....jooooiiiin uuuuuussssss........

Engineering is also good. You could come join me. And we could be very kinky together.

Engineering is also good. You could come join me. And we could be very kinky together.

I went and asked the biomechanic program folks over in the MechE department about when we would have cool "wolverine" claws, and pneumatic fists, and tricked-out HUD displays in our eyes...

And they said "Not yet, not soon, please stop asking".

If you really like science, then take the extra lab assistant thingy, it'll be good experience and prep you for college level lab experiences, not to mention the connections you will build with the local analytical lab. Lots of good bonuses with that path.

If you want to take a little bit of a lighter load becuase of all the AP classes, take the early dismissal. It won't affect admissions into colleges because colleges will only see the grades you earned in the classes, not the fact that you didn't take six classes.

Engineering is also good. You could come join me. And we could be very kinky together.

You have to be very selective what kind of engineering, and trust me, despite what they tell you it's a brutal job market in certian fields. I have plenty of classmates that left the field for more fulfilling opportunities: like insurance adjuster, or firefighter.

Saying that, engineering/mba is an excellent combination, but iff, you get a break. (And yes, the two ffs were intentional).

I went and asked the biomechanic program folks over in the MechE department about when we would have cool "wolverine" claws, and pneumatic fists, and tricked-out HUD displays in our eyes...

And they said "Not yet, not soon, please stop asking".

Bah. Mech Engs. think they have all the fun. But they don't. It's us Aero Engs. We get to fly. And build aerodynamic dildos.

You have to be very selective what kind of engineering, and trust me, despite what they tell you it's a brutal job market in certian fields. I have plenty of classmates that left the field for more fulfilling opportunities: like insurance adjuster, or firefighter.

Saying that, engineering/mba is an excellent combination, but iff, you get a break. (And yes, the two ffs were intentional).

Not to break thread, but which engineering disciplines do you see that aren't useful, employment wise?

I've got a friend in EE, and several in civil/environmental.

I know iff stands for "if and only if",but doesn't ffs stand for "fail these effing students"?

It's us Aero Engs. We get to fly. And build aerodynamic dildos.

This would explain why they always close the door during thesis proposals...

I really thought that buzzing was the lights...

This would explain why they always close the door during thesis proposals...

I really thought that buzzing was the lights...

Shhhh...

It's a trade secret. ;)

Not to break thread, but which engineering disciplines do you see that aren't useful, employment wise?

I've got a friend in EE, and several in civil/environmental.

I know iff stands for "if and only if",but doesn't ffs stand for "fail these effing students"?

My experience had been that civil is next to useless without a graduate degree, unless you want to work for the local municipality, or use it as a regular college degree. If you want to work at Thornton Tomasetti or such, you are pretty much expected to do your MS part time there - which they don't pay for fully - or already have one. The pay is less than stellar too, because of insurance and other costs. Moreover, if you reallistically expect to shine, i.e., be a star at the design side, you better really be prepared to do a phd. (Which is very difficult).

Likewise, if you are on the geotech side, to get anywhere with firms like meuser rutledge, you'll need an MS, though they do hire some undergrads on the same basis.

Corporate jobs are better, but come with their own baggage.

You can do well, but its not a guaranteed easy ride employment wise.

They are also fields that are extremely sensitive to the economy. It's all boom now with construction and whatnot, but I remember the early nineties. Not so funny.

(I'm a civil btw).

EE, is good with law, especially if you specialize on the computer side. But not as good as a biotech background.

Environmental is mostly government work ultimately, even if you do work in the private sector. And as I always told my students in the fluids lab, even on the best day, the most you can hope for is clean poop.

LOL, US History. Is there a World History option? :)

LOL, US History. Is there a World History option? :)

Yes. It covers WWII: Specifically the pacific theater, and western Europe after dec. 8. 1941.

There is a brief mention of 1917-18.

Nothing else happened in the world. Ever.

The biggest thing with private colleges, especially selective ones, if you are in their range in terms of grades and SAT scores, is demonstrated interest. That's in terms of getting in. That consists of a registered visit, replying to solicitation letters early on, just contacting them for information, doing an interview, and whatever else you can do to make them think you are really going to go to their college if you get in.

You sound like you do pretty well in school, and with course loads like you've described you shouldn't have any problems getting into most of the UCs, which are all good schools. Don't worry too much about taking as many APs as you possibly can, it can get really intense. Maintaining sanity is also important.

In terms of looking at colleges, don't just look at the literature. To find a college you'll like even after you get there, it's important to get a sense of the atmosphere of the school. Visiting is the best way to do this, because you can get a really good sense of the personality of the school just by wandering around or sitting in on a few classes. Talking to people who go there is also a good way to figure it out.

I did all this stuff not too long ago (I'm a freshman at reed college) and I found all this shit out the hard way. If this is too much unsolicited information/advice, just ignore it or tell me to shut up. Which won't do any good, because I'll have already posted, but it's the thought that counts, right?

In terms of your sixth period dilema, I'd take the job. Money is always useful, and colleges will also take employment into account positively.

I got to choose my classes here when i was 13 (had to have english, maths and french though. NOW french is not compulsary :mad: fu**ckin waste of my time could of done something i liked, well i could of done something). Then when i reached 15 i got complete freedom of choice, although my school is rather small so there is not much that i could take. :(

LOL, US History. Is there a World History option? :)
Yeah...that's what I'm taking right now. Honors World History.

Ancient democratic foundations, Greeks, Romans, British history, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, all those sexy things.

Right now we're covering WW1.

*is reading through everything, has a field trip to the Museum of Tolerance to take so he'd be back....is using the third person form of speech*

Next year, I'll be taking the following classes for sure as a junior in high school:
AP US History
AP Calculus (AB I believe it is)
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
Language Arts 3 Honors

So that's 5 classes, we get 6 maximum.

Normally, I have always planned on doing a sport for that final 6th period class. For the first half of the first semester, I've planned on doing Water Polo again for school, and after that...perhaps get early-dismissal and perhaps work somewhere like Best Buy near my school?

For the second semester, I have an option. Should I continue early-dismissal and get some money and help out mom? Or should I become a lab assistant to my AP Chemistry teacher?

See, as a lab assistant, our teacher (Who is a Doctor...) will be able to give us a better recommendation letter than the norm. We'd get those 2 hours for studying time (I am taking two science classes at once...), plus the doctor has connections to an analytical lab in our city. That lab lets us set our own hours to work and everything.

I want what I do in high school to count toward college (Hence, 5 AP/Honors classes at once). Does early-dismissal hurt an admission application even though you have a justified reason? I can't possibly look like a slacker, 5 hard classes! Or should I got to the lab assistant path and perhaps see where that takes me?

NS General, you guys have more experience than me. What are your opinions? Thanks in advance...I'll be reading up on everything.


You could take AP World History on top of that.

Scholarships. There are tens of thousands of scholarships out there. The colleges also provide some, especially out of staters. Hell, I applied to USF as my safety school, and they offered me a FULL RIDE! I didn't take it, but they offered because I'm an out of stater.

Have you considered one of the service academies? They're free, good resume material, and you get a good job for 5 years after you graduate.


Student loans are also good.
Yeah I've always liked the Air Force Academy, a climate I envy being a Californian.

I've also considered abroad, but I don't know the policies of British universities paying for low-income students. I've heard that London School of Economics has a good program for International-related studies, something I've also had an interest in.

I want what I do in high school to count toward college (Hence, 5 AP/Honors classes at once). Does early-dismissal hurt an admission application even though you have a justified reason? I can't possibly look like a slacker, 5 hard classes! Or should I got to the lab assistant path and perhaps see where that takes me?

NS General, you guys have more experience than me. What are your opinions? Thanks in advance...I'll be reading up on everything.

Based on the list of classes you're taking, I'd say that early dismissal won't hurt your admissions chances at all. Admissions officers will look at the fact that you're taking 4 AP classes as a junior, not at the fact that you were taking five classes instead of six. When I was in high school, I had several free periods per week (by the time I graduated, I think I had 10 per week or so), but I also took AP and IB classes starting my sophomore year, and rounded it out with sports and other extracurricular activities. When I applied to college, admissions officers looked at my GPA, my SAT scores, the classes I took and my activities, not the classes that I could have taken but didn't. You'll be fine. Assuming you have a good GPA and test scores, you shouldn't have any problems getting into colleges.

Where do you want to go?

You could take AP World History on top of that.
They don't offer AP World History, just Honors World History which I'm currently taking as a sophomore.

Based on the list of classes you're taking, I'd say that early dismissal won't hurt your admissions chances at all. Admissions officers will look at the fact that you're taking 4 AP classes as a junior, not at the fact that you were taking five classes instead of six. When I was in high school, I had several free periods per week (by the time I graduated, I think I had 10 per week or so), but I also took AP and IB classes starting my sophomore year, and rounded it out with sports and other extracurricular activities. When I applied to college, admissions officers looked at my GPA, my SAT scores, the classes I took and my activities, not the classes that I could have taken but didn't. You'll be fine. Assuming you have a good GPA and test scores, you shouldn't have any problems getting into colleges.

Where do you want to go?
Sounds good, I'm not entirely sure really where I want to go though...

5 AP/Honors classes, my god! You'll have most colleges falling over themselves trying to get you (if you're successful, that is; I know some kids that would've died from the pressure of all that work, but I'm assuming you know what you're doing). If I were you, I'd take the early release option and go make money.

Well, I'm thinking about it. I think I'll take up being a lab assistant.

I can work later on, and I apparently get a good spot in that sexy lab. It'll only make my application look oh so much better.