College application help.

acslater99

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2012
Messages
400
Reaction score
152
Points
5,246
  1. Pre-Pharmacy
So I'm going to start college next year and...Well It says I need a LoR.

Also I already graduated HS this past year and needed to take a gap year because of Family issues.

So my big question is how am I suppose to get a LoR if I'm not in school anymore?
 
So I'm going to start college next year and...Well It says I need a LoR.

Also I already graduated HS this past year and needed to take a gap year because of Family issues.

So my big question is how am I suppose to get a LoR if I'm not in school anymore?

Contact past teachers. Happened to my cousin and she got them a year later too.

If there's a will, there's a way.
 
Cool thanks..Um what should I tell her/him?

Do they need to write the letter on paper or can they do it on Microsoft word?
 
Cool thanks..Um what should I tell her/him?

Do they need to write the letter on paper or can they do it on Microsoft word?

:laugh:

Preferably on computer paper, typed. There are different types of formats for a recommendation letter, so make sure to check said letter to avoid potential discrepancies.
 
:laugh:

Preferably on computer paper, typed. There are different types of formats for a recommendation letter, so make sure to check said letter to avoid potential discrepancies.

Sorry for these stupid questions, I just want to make sure I don't mess up or do something wrong during this application.

Thanks again!
 
Alright cool she said she would write me a LoR! 😀

Now I have a question about transcripts.

Do I need to get them from the school..or do I tell the school to send it to the college I'm applying to.

And If I need to tell them to send it to the college I'm applying too wouldn't my transcripts get lost or something and wouldn't it be a problem If I sent them my transcripts first than my application?
 
Alright cool she said she would write me a LoR! 😀

Now I have a question about transcripts.

Do I need to get them from the school..or do I tell the school to send it to the college I'm applying to.

And If I need to tell them to send it to the college I'm applying too wouldn't my transcripts get lost or something and wouldn't it be a problem If I sent them my transcripts first than my application?

Have your school send them directly to where you are applying. They may charge a few for this but in this day and day, with you computer savvy kids, you don't want any appearance that the transcripts are "doctored". Thus, signed, sealed and directly from the school is the way to go.
 
Have your school send them directly to where you are applying. They may charge a few for this but in this day and day, with you computer savvy kids, you don't want any appearance that the transcripts are "doctored". Thus, signed, sealed and directly from the school is the way to go.

Alright cool so can I just call them and say to send it to the school I'm applying it too? And also when would be the best time to tell my High School that?
 
Alright cool so can I just call them and say to send it to the school I'm applying it too? And also when would be the best time to tell my High School that?

Send your application off and call your high school the very next day; that is what I did.
 
Send your application off and call your high school the very next day; that is what I did.

This.

Your school may require you to fill out some forms or pay for the transcripts, but they'll let you know the process when you contact them.
 
Alright thanks guys! I'll post something else If I need help.
 
I was searching through the internet and I heard that the LoR needed to be sent in separately from the actual application.

The teacher that I wrote to said she would email me and tell me to come pick it up...🙁

Isn't the teacher suppose to send it to the school or am I suppose to do it..and also when would be the best time to send it to the school?
 
I was searching through the internet and I heard that the LoR needed to be sent in separately from the actual application.

The teacher that I wrote to said she would email me and tell me to come pick it up...🙁

Isn't the teacher suppose to send it to the school or am I suppose to do it..and also when would be the best time to send it to the school?


Yes, in general LORs are supposed to come directly from the source.

You can check with your college(s) policy. Some may allow the LORs to come from you, others may allow you to send it as long as its in a sealed envelope with the HS stamp over the envelope flap and others require it to come directly from the source. If the latter two options are the case, then you can provide your letter writer with an addressed stamped envelope. Do not assume that your HS faculty knows how the process actually works.
 
Okay so basically contact the school to see what they say and I go on from there?
 
Which is the best option to send in my application, Mail or Online?

Also do I need to send in my Personal statement with my application or separately?
 
Which is the best option to send in my application, Mail or Online?

Also do I need to send in my Personal statement with my application or separately?

It does not matter whether or not the application is online or printed. Unless you are instructed otherwise, include your personal statement in your application.
 
Alright, thanks

The schools application deadline is March 1st what If by any chance I wouldn't be able to make that deadline?

Do I need to wait till next year? Will I be charged a fee?

I need to know this because I just noticed I picked a ACT date just 4 weeks before my application deadline (I know I'm an Idiot).

And the ACT takes about 3-8 weeks to be scored.
 
Alright, thanks

The schools application deadline is March 1st what If by any chance I wouldn't be able to make that deadline?

Do I need to wait till next year? Will I be charged a fee?

I need to know this because I just noticed I picked a ACT date just 4 weeks before my application deadline (I know I'm an Idiot).

And the ACT takes about 3-8 weeks to be scored.

Fill out and submit your application, leaving the ACT part blank, and contact the school to let them know you will be taking the ACT later on (some applications have a small box you can check). Next, contact ACT and tell them to send your scores directly to that college or university; you can do this from http://www.actstudent.org/ if you are registered with them. Your application will meet the deadline but will not be processed until your scores are in.
 
Wow thanks! that's such a relief
 
How long should a college letter of recommendation be?

And no I'm not writing it for myself I'm just curious.
 
All three of mine were at least a page long.
 
Alright, just out of curiosity what classes should I take during my first year as undergrad?
 
Is that what you're doing?

Haha, no. I took Organic chemistry +lab, Engineering Physics +lab, and Microeconomics, which is a weed out course for our business school. Trust me, don't overload your first semester.
 
Haha, no. I took Organic chemistry +lab, Engineering Physics +lab, and Microeconomics, which is a weed out course for our business school. Trust me, don't overload your first semester.

I don't feel I overloaded:

Chem I with Lab
Bio I
Calc III
Medical Sociology

And how did you take Orgo Chem + Physics, both with lab in the same semester? That must have been a killer year, settling in and the like.
 
I don't feel I overloaded:

Chem I with Lab
Bio I
Calc III
Medical Sociology

And how did you take Orgo Chem + Physics, both with lab in the same semester? That must have been a killer year, settling in and the like.

Eh, bio 1 could be considered the blow off class if you took AP bio in HS.


Why did I take it? Because I did not know how difficult college Physics would be, nor that the physics I'm taking is the one engineers take, not premeds.
 
Eh, bio 1 could be considered the blow off class if you took AP bio in HS.


Why did I take it? Because I did not know how difficult college Physics would be, nor that the physics I'm taking is the one engineers take, not premeds.

Yeah, I figured as much for Bio 1. I just wanted to make sure I learn the stuff that's learned in college for the MCATs. I got a B+ in AP Bio senior year, wanted to get that A in college.

Wait, did you take Physics and Orgo first semester or second semester of freshman year. I'm assuming you AP'd out of Chem and Bio? I'm planning on taking Physics for Biological Science at my uni next year. Engineering is more Calc-oriented, at least in my uni.
 
I'm a freshman right now, taking it currently.
I took Chem 1 and 2 as a senior at the university in my hometown. The bio class I took didn't transfer to Umich, so I'm taking it again next semester along with orgo II.
 
I'm a freshman right now, taking it currently.
I took Chem 1 and 2 as a senior at the university in my hometown. The bio class I took didn't transfer to Umich, so I'm taking it again next semester along with orgo II.

As a fellow pre-med, I gotta ask. What made you AP out of pre-reqs and not retaking the courses for easy GPA boosting and MCAT refreshers?
 
As a fellow pre-med, I gotta ask. What made you AP out of pre-reqs and not retaking the courses for easy GPA boosting and MCAT refreshers?

I didn't. The only AP class I took for credit was calc.
 
I'm wondering, as a student in a Uni/CC can you choose you're classes? Or does you're SAT/ACT depend what classes you can take?

I'm confused on how you can do this.
 
I'm wondering, as a student in a Uni/CC can you choose you're classes? Or does you're SAT/ACT depend what classes you can take?

I'm confused on how you can do this.

Yes. No. You look at a list of classes, and find classes that you want to take.
 
So..The point for the SAT/ACT is to see if you're ready for college level courses?

The point of the ACT/SAT is to separate students by score so they can be evaluated by colleges more easily.
 
Okay thanks.

Do CC's offer a research program? Or does that depend what school that might be.
 
Okay thanks.

Do CC's offer a research program? Or does that depend what school that might be.

It will vary by school, but I have heard of some research facilities at community colleges. If you are looking for a research oppurtunity while attending a community college, then you may want to look at some community colleges that have direct ties to four year universities through joint programs, churches, sports, etc... because the community college faculty may be able to recommend you to such a project at the related university.
 
It will vary by school, but I have heard of some research facilities at community colleges. If you are looking for a research oppurtunity while attending a community college, then you may want to look at some community colleges that have direct ties to four year universities through joint programs, churches, sports, etc... because the community college faculty may be able to recommend you to such a project at the related university.

Lets say they don't have any ties to a university. What would be the best option then?
 
Lets say they don't have any ties to a university. What would be the best option then?

Check with your professors, they may have colleagues at universities. You can also just hold research off until when you enter a four year university and use your time in community college to do some shadowing and volunteer work.
 
Alright cool thanks!
 
Check with your professors, they may have colleagues at universities. You can also just hold research off until when you enter a four year university and use your time in community college to do some shadowing and volunteer work.

Definitely the best advice. Use your time in Community College to work on extracurriculars. It'll help open you up to more opportunities at a four year university as well as give you insight into the medical world.
 
Greetings everyone!

I have a question and it's been something I've been thinking about for a while now.

Is it possible to complete you're prerequisites in 2 years?

Also If you wont mind what schedule did you guys have Freshmen/Sophomore year, (Both semesters) If you guys remember. :laugh:

If not would you give me good advice on what to take and not take Freshman year.

Thanks for reading!
 
I'll be done next year, so yes.

Freshman (fall) Orgo Physics Econ +labs
(winter) Orgo 2, Bio 1, English, American Culture, +lab

Don't take orgo and physics with each other your freshman year.
 
I'll be done next year, so yes.

Freshman (fall) Orgo Physics Econ +labs
(winter) Orgo 2, Bio 1, English, American Culture, +lab

Don't take orgo and physics with each other your freshman year.

Why do you say that? Is it hard to have Physics and Orgo in the same semester?

Also I'm confused about what Orgo means? Is it Organic chem or Inorganic chem?
 
Why do you say that? Is it hard to have Physics and Orgo in the same semester?

Also I'm confused about what Orgo means? Is it Organic chem or Inorganic chem?

Orgo is organic chemistry. Notoriously hard at least when I ask upperclassmen in my uni. The problem though, is that I'm a high school senior taking courses at my local uni, so the uni students look down on me and try to give me wrong information. I'm sure though that it is rather hard.
 
Orgo is organic chemistry. Notoriously hard at least when I ask upperclassmen in my uni. The problem though, is that I'm a high school senior taking courses at my local uni, so the uni students look down on me and try to give me wrong information. I'm sure though that it is rather hard.

lol wut?

That never happened to me or anyone else I knew who took college courses as a senior in HS.
 
lol wut?

That never happened to me or anyone else I knew who took college courses as a senior in HS.

Err, maybe I should rephrase that. They seem to be condescending and in a sense trying to provide me with biased and/or erroneous information. Maybe they don't want me there, I'm not sure because I'm feeling a good vibe coming from there except for maybe a few small groups of people.

Surprisingly, I live in a rather well-off neighborhood and the uni is rather close so I was completely shocked when I first signed up for classes, but hey, you never know who you'll meet.
 
Top Bottom