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I just received my AP exam scores in the mail. I got a 3 in U.S. History but only a 1 in chemistry and physics. I realize that colleges are going to look at all of my scores, but if I did well in the actual class (high A's to mid B's), will the scores be a deciding factor for admission? Would I have been better to have just not taken those two exams, or are colleges going to appreciate the risk, even if the outcome was bad? Also, one specific college I am looking at for early decision only accepts 4's and 5's. Next year, should I only take the exams that I feel confident I can receive those scores in? I don't want to take the exam for every AP class I take if it's actually going to hurt me in the long run!
Colleges will give greater weight to your actual grades in the classes than to your AP scores, at least for admissions purposes. (Course placement is another matter; most colleges won’t give credit for anything below a 3.) Having said that, I would recommend taking only those AP exams you feel confident about in the future. It looks much better to have fewer, higher AP scores than a bunch of lower scores. In a nutshell; Don’t worry about the scores you’ve already received, but take only the exams you feel confident about this coming year.
If I am looking towards a career as an attorney and eventually moving into politics, should I take a double major in college? Some of the schools I am looking at don't offer a pre-law program. What majors do future law students usually take as an undergraduate? Thank you for your help!
I don’t think a double major is necessary. The problem with double majors is that they don’t leave you much room to take other classes that interest you; you’re so busy fulfilling your major requirements that there’s no space left in your schedule. I also wouldn’t worry about applying to colleges that don’t have pre-law programs. There really aren't any required undergraduate courses for law school, so the implication that a "pre-law" programs involves certain required courses isn't correct. Common majors for law school applicants include political science, history, and English. However, you can have a completely different major. I encourage you to pick a major that excites you, although you don't have to worry about this right away. The important thing is to do well in your undergraduate courses whatever major you choose.
I have a question about what the difference is between attending college in the Fall or in the Spring, with regards to classes, housing, graduation, and freshman orientation. Thank you.
I would refer you to individual colleges with this question. It may be harder at some schools to get the housing and classes you want if you start college in the spring. Then again, it might not be a problem. The one clear advantage to starting school in the fall is social: It’s much easier to meet people and make friends when everyone is new and in the same boat. Assuming you take the required course loads each semester, starting in the fall also means you’ll graduate with your classmates (which wouldn’t happen if you started in the spring, unless you took extra courses in future semesters).
I am currently a junior in high school, but I am also going to college full time and getting high school and college credits. I didn't do so well in the college classes my first semester except for one class, but my high school grades were all A's. I really want to go to a liberal arts school. My first choices are New York University and Berkley, but I don't know what to do! Can you help me?
If you're getting all A's in high school then you'll have a shot at going to NYU or Berkley. The colleges shouldn't hold against you the grades you get in college courses. However, I would advise that you check with the colleges you're interested in to make sure they will give you credit for the courses you've taken. Also, I would make getting good high school grades a priority, and, therefore, would suggest you not overburden your time commitment to the college courses.
Our 8th grade public school daughter has been doing EPGY math for a couple of years in lieu of our school curriculum. She likes it and the rigor of the course seems more suited to her math ability. Any info from colleges if she stays with EPGY through high school level courses (hence no math grade included in transcripts)? As she plans for hs classes, is a 4.0 in standard hs fare better than a high 3+ average in higher level classes?
EPGY isn't going to be as well-known to some colleges as, say, AP math level classes, and although I'm not sure about this, I don't think EPGY courses will be accepted for college credit. Obviously EPGY has a great reputation, though. Typically, a high 3+ in more challenging classes would fare better. If you get a 4.0/4.0, who's to say what you were really capable of?
Thanks for offering such a candid guide for students and parents. My question concerns admission rates for out-of-state and out-of-country applicants. I've heard that Virginia universities, specifically UVA and William and Mary, have quotas for out-of-state applicants. The rumor is that they can only have 10% of the student body be non-residents. Is this true? Also, my daughter is very interested in McGill University in Montreal. We visited, and she plans to apply, but I can't find information on her likelihood of admission (beyond the minimum grade and score requirements). I know McGill has become hot for Americans, partially due to the exchange rate, but how many Americans do they accept there each year? Is there a quota?
Public state schools such as UVA and William and Mary very definitely have quotas on in and out-of-state students, which are typically set by the state legislature. I really think this is fair. Residents of the state pay taxes to support these schools, and they should be the primary beneficiary of these efforts. I'm sorry I can't be of help about McGill. My best advice is to call or email them; I'm sure they would give you the straight scoop.
I have noticed that some colleges report the percentage of first year students that do not return for their second year at that school. What is a normal percentage to expect? What does it mean to me when it is abnormally high or low?
Freshman retention and graduation rates are numbers that all colleges would have access to. In fact, colleges must report graduation rates as part of their requirements for federal financial assistance. Colleges like to see freshman retention in the 90% plus range. If a college reports a lower freshman retention, you should ask why, but don’t assume that a lower number is be a bad thing. Many colleges thrive on preparing students for transfer to other schools. These schools accept that as an important function, and they often do their jobs well. Larger, more prestigious schools have also come to accept the value of a transfer student, and over the years, have done much to ease the burden for students of transitions. Still, a highly selective college which can’t boast a graduation rate of 75% or more should be looked at carefully. And any college where you plan to stay until graduation that has a graduation rate under 50% should definitely generate more questions from you as to why.
I want to apply to Rutgers University in New Jersey. My mother lives in New Jersey, but I live in NY with friends so that I could finish my senior year. My mother will be paying for my college tuition. On my application should I declare my mom’s address in NJ? Will I get the NJ in-state tuition cost?
If your mother is your legal guardian, and you are under 18, your permanent address is her home in New Jersey, and you would be considered a legal resident of New Jersey. For example, if I attended prep school in another state and then returned to my home state for college, I would not be considered a resident of my prep school state. It’s basically the same thing. I can’t imagine there being a disagreement over this, but to be sure, you should call the Rutgers admissions office and ask for a copy of their residency requirements. Every school has them.
I work at an alternative school engaged in the debate over having National Honor Society. To what degree would being in National Honor Society benefit students admission into the best colleges?
The National Honor Society is perhaps the most recognizable academic achievement award available to high school students. I believe that in our society today, student achievements need to be recognized in a positive way. Look at the attention we give our high school basketball stars compared to how we honor our academic achievers. Student participation in the National Honor Society is also a growth experience which helps the student develop a variety of skills including leadership and presence. Highly selective colleges look for these attributes. Thus, I can think of nothing but positive benefits to your school and its students for making such a program available.
Will participating in conservative Republican political causes hurt my chances of getting into a liberal Ivy League college.
OK, these are opinions, here, from the editors of FishNet since no admissions person is going to admit to this kind of discrimination. Frankly, colleges do look for “fit” and some activities (not just political ones) may not play well on an application. I think you have to think carefully about how you present such activities, if you present them all. For example, most political groups advocate some kind of restraint on government spending, but there are wide differences on how to get the job done. Still, you could play up your involvement in “controlling government spending” without saying you want to cut welfare to the bone. Hey, politicians do it all the time. You don’t want to distort your application, but think carefully about how the information about you will be construed. By the way, what makes you think Ivy League schools are liberal? You might be surprised at what you find.
I am a parent of a child in a middle school. I am planning to relocate to Atlanta. I am considering both public and private high schools for my child. I would like to find a high school with a good track record for getting students into selective colleges. Do you have any suggestions on how to do that without calling every school individually?
What's the difference between universities and colleges?
Historically, universities offer both bachelor’s degree programs and graduate and doctoral degree programs. Colleges typically offer only bachelor’s degree programs. However, some colleges are also beginning to offer a few graduate programs.