College 2012 ( How time has passed!)

[Squirt]

Oh how time has passed It seems like it was just yesterday that I was a middle schooler posting random crap on SRF and fieding on SRO day and night.

The day has come to start the college application process.

What college do you guys go to? And for my fellow seniors what colleges are you applying to?

I'm applying to:
Darthmouth
UPenn
Umass Lowell
Umass Boston
Umass Amherst
WPI


I need more choices for school but I'm not sure what else to choose

[Ownage]

Try some public schools:
Umich
UVA
UCB (don't know if you would go that far though)

I'm probably applying umich for EA. What are your SAT scores and GPA?

[Squirt]

GPA 3.89
SAT 1560

[takolin]

I didn't have to apply to a university as such. I decided what to study, took the train to the city I was planning to study in. Fill out some forms and then I got a paymentthingpaper and that was about it.

Cheap universities without any admission board (unless you want to be a dentist or a doctor) and the only requirement is your highschool diploma.

[woutR]

Studying is boring as hell, make sure you choose something you like or end up somewhere where you can entertain yourself.

[//_-]

[Shomari]

If you're just starting get your general ED at a junior college then transfer. No point in going to a four year right away and wasting your money.

[MacMilly]

My bro goes to WPI. expensive ass school. I'm applying to UNH, Plymouth, Keene, Suffolk, and Merrimack..Grades aren't even close to yours but I did better on the SATs

[inky]

http://millennialvoice.blogspot.com/200 ... d-was.html

When I started going to SRF, I was in my junior year in HS...time does pass by quick. I never got into the whole omgwhichcollegeshouldichoose hype after graduating HS but I'd say it depends more on the programs offered in that college versus the name of the university itself. Then again, I'm a very practical person. I think of college as a way of investing money to get the skills I need to earn more in return - which it does, excellently, in my field at least. For example, a community college tuition fee for all the prerequisites and the entire program in my field would cost about $9,000 (that's for 3 whole years) and the starting annual salary in NY is around $75,000. Meanwhile, there are people who graduate from colleges with a Bachelors who paid $10,000-$20,000/year who compete for jobs with an annual salary of around $30,000-$40,000. I'm not saying this is true in every situation but it just shows that there's more to the equation than just Good College = Good Job. As for being able to expand my knowledge and enhance my critical thinking skills, I'm fine being an autodidact. The only time I'm planning to spend $20,000/year would be when I get my masters degree (or even better if the facility I work for can pay for it).

[SM-Count]

What major are you going for?

[jaksje]

im in Italy, Milan

[McLovin1t]

Me too:
My list is Cornell Early (Economics/Mathematics/Physics/Comp Sci are the interests I have listed), Harvard, Princeton, Williams, Northwestern, UChicago, Carnegie Mellon, NYU, and MIT.
Thinking about adding Bucknell or Lehigh for engineering.
Nerve-wracking!

[Skyve]

Staying in Canada here. Thinking of either staying here and go to U of Calgary, or go to McGill (if my marks let me in) or U BC.

Going for a Bachelor in Science too. Good thing is that because I was born in Quebec, I get a certain discount on Universities located there (Think it's 20%?).

[[TS]=Hark=[TS]]

If you're just starting get your general ED at a junior college then transfer. No point in going to a four year right away and wasting your money.

this. when i was a freshmen in college my tuition was only16-17k a year, in just two years it has risen to 22k a year. just chose a 2 year school that your planed 4 year school will accept credits from. math is math, history doesn't change, and and you can get culturally enriched anywhere. The only school that employers will look at is where you got your bachelor's degree anyways.

[Squirt]

What major are you going for?

I can't decide between Computer engineering or Biology...

UPenn did have this program called Computational Biology that seems pretty interesting, but I don't know..

[SM-Count]

Computational Biology is nether Computer Engineering or Biology lol.

CoE is hard ware design, computer processors, micro processors, basically any chips you see that's CoE.

Biology is basically a stepping stone to either pre-med or research in life sciences.

Computational Biology is applying Computer Science priciples to biology, you'll be working closely with researchers to model anything that can be modeled. You're basically the statisticians behind the biologists with computers, comp. bio ppl are the ones that tell the scientists whether their results are significant or not and what the mathematical implications are.

Seeing as you seem to be interested in staying in the north east coast, UVirginia has a strong CoE department, obviously MIT does as well, CMU is sick good at CoE too. Bio I'd recommend Columbia, Hopkins, and if you're willing to go a bit down south, Duke.


Also, and this is super important in the U.S., try and decide whether or not you want to go to graduate school. If you want to get a job with a Bachelors then make some financial sacrifices to go to a good undergrad, you should be able to pay it back in only a few years. If you're going to go to graduate school, 100% go for the undergrad that gives you the most money and doesn't suck complete donkey balls. If you're going to grad school, all you have to do is 4.0 at a shitty college and do research at good places over the summer and you're all good, no need to spend any money at all. Just go where they give you good scholarships. OR go somewhere where they offer 5 yr masters or even 6 yr phD programs. The 1/2 yrs you save respectively will give you experience that'll overshadow a mediocre school.

[Deadsolid]

Applied to:
Indiana University
Purdue University
University of Dayton
Marquette
Loyola
Butler University
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin

Got into the first six, wait-listed on the second two.

Went to IU for business, stayed for Informatics.

PM me if you have questions about IU or Informatics or stuff. Good luck.

[Squirt]

This is where I have a huge problem SM-Count. Thank you for all the information.

I can't decide between CS or Bio. And your description of Computational Biology does not sound like what I am interested in...

For CS I am interested in both coding and the hardware behind computers. I'd love to learn how to make programs and how a computer actually works and the skills that will allow me to actually help develop new computer parts.

For Biology I've always been interested in micro biology or Zoology...


I just can't decide between the two I love them both equally =/....
I wish there was a half-way point between the two.

[Nick Invaders]

I am applying to:

UC Berkeley
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
USC
Harvey Mudd
Pomona
Occidental
CLU

Looking to go for Astrophysics/Astronomy and Comp Sci (Most likely will go astro as major and compsci as minor).

[SM-Count]

zoology is completely different, but if you like microbio then I assume you like being in the lab and doing research. The cross between CS and Bio is Bioinformatics, or at least that's the closest thing between the two.

Btw, CS = software, CoE = hardware.

My recommendation: Go CS/CoE double major (super easy, they have a lot of class overlap) or one major one minor and then take bio classes along with them and decide if you still like bio. CS doesn't really change, it's always gonna be code and solving logic problems but bio changes a lot the more you learn about it. I know a lot of people who were interested in Bio but then realized research wasn't for them.

Also, CS usually gets a job straight out of undergrad. (a minority of students go into theoretical CS or AI or something like that go to graduate school) CoE usually gets a masters with a specialization. Bio can do both, but if you only have undergrad you'll probably only get lab tech positions. With masters you'll get "real" research positions and PhD opens up the possibility of you getting your own lab someday.

[Gladiator_RN]

Chose wisely.

[Ownage]

Just got my SAT scores back, and now I'm worried. I got a 2030 and I'm really trying to get a 2150+ for U of Mich admission since I am out of state. I'll probably apply early action anyways and hope for the best.

[Nick Invaders]

Dude I wanted a 2000+ and got a 1910. And I know it's because I didn't sleep well the night before too.

[Ownage]

I'm mad and confused. At the 2000-2100 range I can't really apply for top universities because my ECs aren't spectacular, and my school sucks ( like average SAT score is only 1260) so that could possibly hurt me. On top of all that I signed up for 4 AP class's but I only got 1, the rest either were either canceled or full.

I'll probably just apply U mich EA and then hope they defer me at most so I have time to take SAT or ACT again.

[William-CL]

I'm dual enrolled in a community school as well as OSU(Oregon State) So I pay the lower fee of the community school. It's pretty nice. I also get the EFC from fafsa towards the University so I get more financial aid in grant money. Kinda nice. Still not enough though so I might have to do work study. I'm studying Computer science only right now because I don't meet the requirements for engineering. Thought about a dual Major because the general ed requirements are virtually the same for both give or take a couple courses. I could get a BA in Both in 5 years if I took an extra course.

[KillAndChill]

For those trying to get into colleges, the ACT is easier to get a better score. My SAT equivalent was 150 points higher.

[Ownage]

For those trying to get into colleges, the ACT is easier to get a better score. My SAT equivalent was 150 points higher.

Kind of depends on the person, but I think I am like you (in the sense that the ACT is easier). I am probably gonna sign up for the ACT next time instead of SAT.

[SneakyBanana]

I want to do Computer Science or Software Engineering, in a serious problem as I got the chance to go to America to study it for free but I'm engaged and living with my girlfriend so leaving her or even bring up the subject will be hard (I have not told her about my offer).

If I turn it down I'll apply for Queens University or Jordanstown.

[ThatBluePerson]

Come down to Texas A&M!
Friendliest campus in the world.
We have tons of traditions that will make you feel like part of a huge family.

[EvGa]

Come down to Texas A&M!
Friendliest campus in the world.
We have tons of traditions that will make you feel like part of a huge family.

I approve this message.

Inb4 strong sig to avatar to post content ratio.

To stay on topic:

I'm mad and confused. At the 2000-2100 range I can't really apply for top universities because my ECs aren't spectacular, and my school sucks ( like average SAT score is only 1260) so that could possibly hurt me. On top of all that I signed up for 4 AP class's but I only got 1, the rest either were either canceled or full.

I'll probably just apply U mich EA and then hope they defer me at most so I have time to take SAT or ACT again.

Apply to a community college near the university you want to attend, some have special transfer programs. Ex. Make above X GPA, automatic acceptance, things of that nature. Even if they don't, do extremely well, save some money, and transfer in to the program of your choice for your final 2-3 years.

What college do I attend?
Lon Morris
UT Tyler
Blinn CC
SFA - Current

Applying to Texas A&M for my masters in CE.

Why not A&M right off the bat? Money. Then grades. Then when I was smooth sailing the time to graduate would have added another year plus more money. This last year I've been awarded special military assistance through my dad's service in the USMC and subsequent disability. My master's tuition will be waived.

That said, I'm a die hard TAMU fan, supporter, etc (you may be able to tell). Spend a lot of time in College Station, go to tons of TAMU athletic events and lived there a year. My family is full of Aggies.

ThatBluePerson, hit up my football thread. You going to the Mizzou game? Post in dat der thread.

//The end

[Ownage]

I'm mad and confused. At the 2000-2100 range I can't really apply for top universities because my ECs aren't spectacular, and my school sucks ( like average SAT score is only 1260) so that could possibly hurt me. On top of all that I signed up for 4 AP class's but I only got 1, the rest either were either canceled or full.

I'll probably just apply U mich EA and then hope they defer me at most so I have time to take SAT or ACT again.

Apply to a community college near the university you want to attend, some have special transfer programs. Ex. Make above X GPA, automatic acceptance, things of that nature. Even if they don't, do extremely well, save some money, and transfer in to the program of your choice for your final 2-3 years.

What college do I attend?
Lon Morris
UT Tyler
Blinn CC
SFA - Current

Applying to Texas A&M for my masters in CE.

Why not A&M right off the bat? Money. Then grades. Then when I was smooth sailing the time to graduate would have added another year plus more money. This last year I've been awarded special military assistance through my dad's service in the USMC and subsequent disability. My master's tuition will be waived.

That said, I'm a die hard TAMU fan, supporter, etc (you may be able to tell). Spend a lot of time in College Station, go to tons of TAMU athletic events and lived there a year. My family is full of Aggies.

ThatBluePerson, hit up my football thread. You going to the Mizzou game? Post in dat der thread.

//The end

Thanks, that is great advice. While I have thought of doing it like that, I just don't think I can. I want to enter one of the undergraduate business schools at one of these unis and applications for most of them are during 1st year or when applying to the college itself. The other problem is the fact that my parents probably won't want me to go to community college. Most of my family has gone to a mid-tier or, in rare cases, respectable college. So explaining it to my parents might not be very simple, and I will only be 17 at time of graduation so I will still need my parents for a couple of things (mainly co-signing loans).