College and Stuff

[deleted688154]

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Just thought it'd be better to have all our college worries and woes in one thread since hSDN is so small.
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Some of you may have noticed how much I'm anti private university, especially ivy universities and how much I insist on going to a state school. I guess I'm being a bit hypocritical because now my first choice for university has become Cornell. I have my reasons🙄 I'm not a person who is crazy about prestige but damn the geology department of Cornell looks so attractive. Earth Science has by far always been my favorite science class and as much as I want to become a doctor atm I have zero intentions of in majoring in biology. Geophysics though.... And Cornell also has a partnership with the University of Iceland which is in a country I've been wanting to go to for awhile, it was actually my first choice country while I was applying to become an exchange student although I ended up in Taiwan (which has been a good experience too, no regrets) but i digress

Because I'm have been an exchange student my school is forcing me to graduate with three years of classes rather than four and I have to take my SAT subject tests at the beginning of the year rather than at the end.

In order to apply to Cornell I need to take two SAT subject tests as well as the SAT by December and preferably November. I had originally planned on taking physics class this coming Sept. but I feel like if I took SUPA (college) Chemistry I would be able to go over all the stuff I learned in regular chem and take the chem subject test in November. How bad would it be viewed if I skipped out on regular physics and instead took college chem?

Also, as a native Spanish speaker, if I took the Spanish subject test would that be viewed poorly? Would admissions even notice I am one? I immigrated to the states when I was 4, I'm a citizen now and I've never been in any ESL/ELL classes or things like that.

 

[SpeedySavior]

Also, as a native Spanish speaker, if I took the Spanish subject test would that be viewed poorly? Would admissions even notice I am one? I immigrated to the states when I was 4, I'm a citizen now and I've never been in any ESL/ELL classes or things like that.

¡tambien hablo español!

Why not take it if you can pass it. It shouldn't look negative. Bilingual students are a rare breed. I personally forgot to put it down on any of my applications, but it didn't affect me at all really. You're on the right path.

 

[deleted688154]

¡tambien hablo español!

Why not take it if you can pass it. It shouldn't look negative. Bilingual students are a rare breed. I personally forgot to put it down on any of my applications, but it didn't affect me at all really. You're on the right path.

hispanohablantes unidos! de donde yo soy los bilingües son más que mitad de la populación entonces a mi se me olvida que un gran parte de NY no es asi jaja.

I won't mention that I'm a native Spanish speaker I guess and hope that they don't find out so it looks more impressive when I get a high SAT score on the subject test😎

Thanks!

 

[efle]

hispanohablantes unidos! De donde yo soy los bilingües son más que mitad de la populación entonces a mi se me olvida que un gran parte de NY no es asi jaja.

I won't mention that I'm a native Spanish speaker I guess and hope that they don't find out so it looks more impressive when I get a high SAT score on the subject test😎

Thanks!

Bad move. Being a native bilingual adds more value to your app than a subject test does. Lots of people learn some Spanish in high school but few have also experienced the culture at home. Take Physics and Math (a very easy one) and make sure to include your native Spanish on your app

 

[deleted688154]

Bad move. Being a native bilingual adds more value to your app than a subject test does. Lots of people learn some Spanish in high school but few have also experienced the culture at home. Take Physics and Math (a very easy one) and make sure to include your native Spanish on your app

Ah okay. Thanks!! I'm a bit of a dunderhead when it comes to college apps so thanks for all of yall's advice.

Math easier than Chem? I got a lower score on the state exams in Chemistry compared to AlgII/Trig (88 vs 91) which was one of the reasons I wanted to take the Chem test was so I could remedy that a little. The Physics subject test would include a whole years worth of physics (edit: by November it would be 7 months) that I haven't taken yet. Would it be feasible to self-study an entire year's worth of Physics by November?

edit: What about taking Math and Chem? I've come to the realization that cramming for 3 months for a subject test on a course I haven't taken yet prob isn't a good idea. I think what Ill do is prepare for those two exams and just add Spanish as something extra so that if I don't feel prepared in the fall to exam in Math or Chem I can easily drop one and use Spanish as a backup and if I feel prepared for both MAth and Chem I'm still allowed to take a third exam so it could be a nice little extra either way

 

[efle]

Ah okay. Thanks!! I'm a bit of a dunderhead when it comes to college apps so thanks for all of yall's advice.

Math easier than Chem? I got a lower score on the state exams in Chemistry compared to AlgII/Trig (88 vs 91) which was one of the reasons I wanted to take the Chem test was so I could remedy that a little. The Physics subject test would include a whole years worth of physics (edit: by November it would be 7 months) that I haven't taken yet. Would it be feasible to self-study an entire year's worth of Physics by November?

edit: What about taking Math and Chem? I've come to the realization that cramming for 3 months for a subject test on a course I haven't taken yet prob isn't a good idea. I think what Ill do is prepare for those two exams and just add Spanish as something extra so that if I don't feel prepared in the fall to exam in Math or Chem I can easily drop one and use Spanish as a backup and if I feel prepared for both MAth and Chem I'm still allowed to take a third exam so it could be a nice little extra either way

Math II, Chem, and Physics subject tests are all quite easy especially compared to some of the other subject tests; for MII C and P 10-15% of people get a perfect 800. Doing chem and math is a good choice. Do whatever pair will require the least effort/self-taught material out of those three. I believe you get to choose which subject tests to report so yes, it can't hurt you to take the Spanish one. But really, you'll want to play the native Spanish as your diversity card >> a slightly higher subject test score.

Do you have any indicators yet of whether you'll be competitive for Cornell? Among the Ivies, Brown and Cornell are the most forgiving about standardized tests but you'll still want to be top 5%. Have you taken the PSAT or ACT?

 

[deleted688154]

Math II, Chem, and Physics subject tests are all quite easy especially compared to some of the other subject tests; for MII C and P 10-15% of people get a perfect 800. Doing chem and math is a good choice. Do whatever pair will require the least effort/self-taught material out of those three. I believe you get to choose which subject tests to report so yes, it can't hurt you to take the Spanish one. But really, you'll want to play the native Spanish as your diversity card >> a slightly higher subject test score.

Do you have any indicators yet of whether you'll be competitive for Cornell? Among the Ivies, Brown and Cornell are the most forgiving about standardized tests but you'll still want to be top 5%. Have you taken the PSAT or ACT?

Thanks! I'm not sure that I would be considered a competitive applicant because I took high school pretty lax and never seriously committed to something aside from research however, I would kick myself if I didn't at least try to apply. I took an SAT after about two months of on/off prep during my sophomore year and got a 2000. I think if I dedicated some time in the summer I could manage at least a 2200.

• I've done research at a university since freshman year and won third place with my group in for research in the Senior Biology Sciences at the Science and Technology and Entry Program Fair during my sophomore year. I will expand on this research my senior year.
• I'm also conversationally fluent in Chinese and functional in Portuguese and Taiwanese. (I'm not taking the subject test tho because I already have a different certification for Chinese and after 10 months of studying it exclusively I'm a bit tired of it)
• Spent a year abroad during h.s. with a scholarship, lived with host-family and went to local school.
• I've done Youth in Gov., Lit Club, STEP, and Diving for a significant amount of time.
• 3.8 unweighted GPA, top 2% of class
• volunteering at a hospital this coming fall for 16+ hours a week ( i was actually offered to do it in the summer as well and I guess I'll do that too)
• first in my immediate family to graduate from high school

 

[efle]

Thanks! I'm not sure that I would be considered a competitive applicant because I took high school pretty lax and never seriously committed to something aside from research however, I would kick myself if I didn't at least try to apply. I took an SAT after about two months of on/off prep during my sophomore year and got a 2000. I think if I dedicated some time in the summer I could manage at least a 2200.

• I've done research at a university since freshman year and won third place with my group in for research in the Senior Biology Sciences at the Science and Technology and Entry Program Fair during my sophomore year. I will expand on this research my senior year.
• I'm also conversationally fluent in Chinese and functional in Portuguese and Taiwanese. (I'm not taking the subject test tho because I already have a different certification for Chinese and after 10 months of studying it exclusively I'm a bit tired of it)
• Spent a year abroad during h.s. with a scholarship, lived with host-family and went to local school.
• I've done Youth in Gov., Lit Club, STEP, and Diving for a significant amount of time.
• 3.8 unweighted GPA, top 2% of class
• volunteering at a hospital this coming fall for 16+ hours a week ( i actually offered to do it in the summer as well and I guess I'll do that too)
• first in my immediate family to graduate from high school

You hit the underprivileged/first to college card, and the diversity/ethnicity card. Plus you have interesting hobbies, altruism, strong academics/responsibility and high school research XP which is essentially impossible to get for most applicants. Even with your 2000/top 10% you'd have a solid shot at many Top 20s. If you make 2200+/top 2% you have a very good shot at HYPSM or a full ride to your local public schools. Considering that in many cases private universities with huge endowments offer better financial packages than public schools, you should apply to many more elite private schools than just Cornell.

 

[deleted688154]

You hit the underprivileged/first to college card, and the diversity/ethnicity card. Plus you have interesting hobbies, altruism, strong academics/responsibility and high school research XP which is essentially impossible to get for most applicants. Even with your 2000/top 10% you'd have a solid shot at many Top 20s. If you make 2200+/top 2% you have a very good shot at HYPSM or a full ride to your local public schools. Considering that in many cases private universities with huge endowments offer better financial packages than public schools, you should apply to many more elite private schools than just Cornell.

I'm beginning to look some of the Ivies/elite schools. Aside from Cornell I haven't really considered going to any other private uni although I don't want to completely rule out the option if financial aid is as generous as you said. When I get back to the states I'm going to need to nag my parents into talking about money with me and see would could happen if I go accepted to one of them.

Although full ride a SUNY schools😎😎😎 I'd go to Binghamton, ESF, or Buffalo in a heartbeat if I got a full ride. I would then consider the elite/private unis when applying to grad school if I don't get accepted to med school.

You have been most helpful, thanks!

 

[efle]

I'm beginning to look some of the Ivies/elite schools. Aside from Cornell I haven't really considered going to any other private uni although I don't want to completely rule out the option if financial aid is as generous as you said. When I get back to the states I'm going to need to nag my parents into talking about money with me and see would could happen if I go accepted to one of them.

Although full ride a SUNY schools😎😎😎 I'd go to Binghamton, ESF, or Buffalo in a heartbeat if I got a full ride. I would then consider the elite/private unis when applying to grad school if I don't get accepted to med school.

You have been most helpful, thanks!

My Uni of California system expected considerably more money than any of the private schools I applied to. At the very least apply broadly and wait to get your financial packages before having your heart set on anywhere. Good luck

 

[deleted688154]

@elfe: will do.

I have a bit of a funny story, I was skyping with my parents last night and the I brought up the topic of uni and my mom said "Ah, you can wait to worry about financial aid until after your dad and I divorce." and then when my parents saw my open-mouthed expression my dad was like"Oh s***, you didn't know about that yet" I guess that's one way to find out. Apparently they've been planning it for some time now and everyone except me knew because they had forgotten I was out of the loop.

I was going over some practice for the Math II and noticed that there was a lot of pre-calc on there. Unfortunately, I've only gone up to AlgII/Trig, I know some random things in Pre-Calc because I sit in for classes in Taiwan but I don't really know anything wholly, so I guess it's Math I for me. I'm going to look into also taking Biology E as well and see how manageable studying for Bio E, Chem, and Math I would be and I'll decide in 2-3 weeks if I should just drop Bio.

 

[efle]

@elfe: will do.

I have a bit of a funny story, I was skyping with my parents last night and the I brought up the topic of uni and my mom said "Ah, you can wait to worry about financial aid until after your dad and I divorce." and then when my parents saw my open-mouthed expression my dad was like"Oh s***, you didn't know about that yet" I guess that's one way to find out. Apparently they've been planning it for some time now and everyone except me knew because they had forgotten I was out of the loop.

I was going over some practice for the Math II and noticed that there was a lot of pre-calc on there. Unfortunately, I've only gone up to AlgII/Trig, I know some random things in Pre-Calc because I sit in for classes in Taiwan but I don't really know anything wholly, so I guess it's Math I for me. I'm going to look into also taking Biology E as well and see how manageable studying for Bio E, Chem, and Math I would be and I'll decide in 2-3 weeks if I should just drop Bio.

Interesting, I thought most traditionally Hispanic by culture were not a big fan of divorce...probably due to being big fans of Catholicism

Math I (and Bio E) are actually significantly harder if you look at the % achieving each score. You can probably teach yourself the necessary math, its not much precalc. All that really matters is the main SAT/ACT and decent performance on two subject tests. Don't work yourself too hard for Bio E

 

[deleted688154]

Interesting, I thought most traditionally Hispanic by culture were not a big fan of divorce...probably due to being big fans of Catholicism

Math I (and Bio E) are actually significantly harder if you look at the % achieving each score. You can probably teach yourself the necessary math, its not much precalc. All that really matters is the main SAT/ACT and decent performance on two subject tests. Don't work yourself too hard for Bio E

That's very true although they're Protestants (90% identify as Catholic with the rest usually being Protestants). My father is also still going to live at home in the garage which will be turned into a studio because they fear the emotional turmoil it will cause my younger siblings if they don't live together 😛

Hm okay, I'll start reviewing for the Math and Chem and I'll start with the SAT once I get back to the states in two weeks and have my prep books.