Any advice for grades and getting into colleges?

[atheistgod1999]

Recently, I started to feel like I should care more about college and my grades, and felt like I could use some advice.

Currently, I have a B+ in AP Math, I have an A- in CP US History and ACP Biology, and an A in CP English, Web Design (What? Easy class ), and Engineering (soldering is going well ). I think that if I studied harder, I could actually raise everything to A's. I've already started putting more effort in math, and got an A on the second test as opposed to the B- on the first (don't yet know how that affected my grade in that class; that was after the last grading period). Not as sure about my history or biology grades, though.

Also wondering: how is the average admission GPA for Harvard higher than 4.0? How is that even possible?

I took the PSATs last month, and while the questions weren't too hard, having to pay attention without getting distracted for that long was. Any advice on how to pay attention better for the actual SATs?

Also wondering how my sophomore grades will affect stuff. While I got a C+ in CP English, I had a B+ in AP Math and an A- in World History and Chemistry.

So, any advice on grades and getting into colleges?

[WelshMegalodon]

While it's good that you're thinking about this, SHMUPS really isn't the best place to ask.

[atheistgod1999]

While it's good that you're thinking about this, SHMUPS really isn't the best place to ask.

Yeah, you're probably right.

I'm wondering if you could at least acknowledge my A in English, though.

English 10CP: 78% C+ for final, C+ for whole year

I hope you realize this alone constitutes enough reason for people here to chase you off the boards whenever they see you shitposting.

^That's why I keep posting about my English grades.

And I just found a GPA scale for my school, and apparently I have a 4.05 GPA for this year so far, just counting the main 4 classes (and if I count ACP Engineering, it's 4.14). Do colleges see the individual years, or just the total?

[cave hermit]

1. Some school districts will use an extended GPA scale that goes past 4.0 for students taking honor level/AP classes.

2. Why do you constantly post every detail of your life here, acknowledge that you shouldn't be doing that, then keep doing it?

[WelshMegalodon]

So, any advice on grades and getting into colleges?

Having your Intelligence and Arts parameters above 150 or so will help you pass the exam for a "first-rate" university and, if you've been ignoring the other guys, get an ending with Tendou Jin, who everyone knows is the best guy in the game. (Fuck that Kei, he's overrated.) You can also end up getting the teacher this way, so be careful.

I'm wondering if you could at least acknowledge my A in English, though.

I really don't see why it's so important that I know about it, but... yes, you're doing a good job.

EDIT: Oh, there's that disappearing act again.

[atheistgod1999]

EDIT: Oh, there's that disappearing act again.

You're guilty of deleting posts, too. I can remember two instances off the top of my head.

Are you retarded?

considering that all of his plays were tragedies

Well...

Something, and another thing about how even I'm not retarded enough to get porn-related viruses on my computer

I don't intend to get into an argument over this, though. Just go back to the topic this thread was intended for.

[Domino]

I don't know how MA state is with their college system, but in FL it is cheaper/easier to get your AA from a local Community/State College, then transfer to any of the big Universities in the state. Getting an AA/General Education Requirement at an University is a major waste of money. You should look more into this since the savings is huge.

AP classes are a joke when it comes to college credits (doesn't cover a lot of credits). Look into your state's Dual-Enrollment program: http://www.mass.edu/strategic/read_cdep.asp I started to do Dual-Enrollment back in my Junior year of high school. When I finished high school and got to University, I was able to transfer 33 credit hours (in other words, one year of college under my belt). AP classes didn't even came close to it when it comes to college credit hours. Also, Dual-Enrollment were easier since AP Classes can be hard as fudge (plus General Education classes are a major time waster IMO).

For grades, just do the best you can in high school. As graduation gets closer, figure out what you want to do in your life and try to find a plan to knock out the AA/General Education classes first before doing the actual BA part (your major, etc). You might change your mind and say college is not for me and you prefer to do a trade (which there is nothing wrong with this).

[maximo310]

First of all, you are pretty lucky to have an engineering class with soldering experience in high school. That alone gives you a big leg up compared to other students who don't have that experience at all.

But overall, getting into good colleges involves good SAT scores, grades, as well as extracurriculars. Individual essays are pretty important as well from what I remember. For AP's getting a 4/5 for most places is the only way to knock out GE's right away. They'll probably focus more on your last two years of school for grades.

Apply to a bunch of different places too and try to get some help when deciding on which place to pick while considering factors such as cost, quality of education, variety of services, networking, etc. If cost is a big deal, then you should consider the community college route ( especially if you're undecided on what you want to do), or a public state college if you want to do uni from the very start.

[jasoncslaughter]

Grades are important, as are SAT scores. If your school offers an SAT prep course, I would recommend taking it. Having taken the previous 5 SAT tests before taking the real one was a big help for me. Also, get to know the schools you're thinking about applying to, and tailor your essays to the particular schools. Also be sure to get involved in extra curricular activities - schools want to see that you are passionate about something and are actually willing to put work into said activities. And don't forget about outside funding when looking to finance your education. I went to a private college for undergrad, and a good bit of the funding for that degree came from random sources offering money - I even received $4,000 from the local Jimmy Buffett fan club and all I had to do was write a 2 page essay. There is no reason to pay for education, just put in the extra work and find the money. Best of luck to you!

[MintyTheCat]

Fly to some where in Europe and get an education for substantially less than what you would pay in the US and maybe learn another language on top of that too. Avoid the UK as they charge way too much cash for degrees these days.

Getting into College/University: pick something useful that the world needs and you can make some cash from and whilst working out how to go about it aim for subjects that pay otherwise, simply take an apprenticeship or 'learn on the job' - honestly, for many skills and jobs you are better off learning on the job than getting a degree.

Try your absolute best to get work experience whilst undertaking education.

[atheistgod1999]

Grades are important, as are SAT scores.

Already knew that, but alright.

If your school offers an SAT prep course, I would recommend taking it.

Great advice; I'll look into it. Mainly need to learn how to concentrate and work under stress better (do a lot better when I'm not).

Also, get to know the schools you're thinking about applying to, and tailor your essays to the particular schools.

How? Can you explain/give me some examples?

Also be sure to get involved in extra curricular activities - schools want to see that you are passionate about something and are actually willing to put work into said activities.

Not sure what would be one I'd like to do. Besides, I'm already really busy with homework and watching/playing more mainstream stuff (not lowest-common-denominator stuff, though; more sophisticated, but still more popular than stuff like DoDonPachi. The only superhero film I plan to watch is Deadpool. And no, this doesn't mean I'm quitting retro gaming.) to have common subjects to talk about with people, and making friends.

(And don't forget about outside funding when looking to finance your education. I went to a private college for undergrad, and a good bit of the funding for that degree came from random sources offering money - I even received $4,000 from the local Jimmy Buffett fan club and all I had to do was write a 2 page essay. There is no reason to pay for education, just put in the extra work and find the money.

I might've done good enough on the PSAT to make the National Merit Scholar. I don't expect be a finalist or anything; I'm just hoping I might be commended. And I found out that any class that has levels counts towards GPA, making my weighted GPA for sophomore year 3.9 due to an extremely easy A in Honors programming (most they did was barely scratching the surface of Python), my GPA for junior year (supposing my grades don't change) 4.14, and my cumulative GPA 4.02. How good is that?

Also: turns out that the cutoff for an A is just 92.5%. Considering that my lowest percentage is 89.1%, it shouldn't be that hard to raise everything to As by the end of the year (provided I didn't massively fuck up my History essay ).

[Mischief Maker]

Also be sure to get involved in extra curricular activities - schools want to see that you are passionate about something and are actually willing to put work into said activities.

Not sure what would be one I'd like to do. Besides, I'm already really busy with homework and watching/playing more mainstream stuff (not lowest-common-denominator stuff, though; more sophisticated, but still more popular than stuff like DoDonPachi. The only superhero film I plan to watch is Deadpool. And no, this doesn't mean I'm quitting retro gaming.) to have common subjects to talk about with people, and making friends.

Remember all the threads you started gnashing your teeth and rending your garments over not having any friends? C'mon, dude, connect the dots here.

College is not just about getting a high GPA in a carefully selected collection of classes and graduating into the rat race ASAP to minimize loan debt. It sounds efficient in theory, but you can end up like the thousands of kids in my generation who went into computer science during the dot com bubble but saw the massive market they were shaping their entire lives around evaporate.

College is as much about meeting people and making friends because your educated classmates will one day be in important positions all over the country and will form a powerful network in your future for everything from job recommendations to business opportunities. Personal connections trump sterling transcripts any day of the week. How do you form this network? By having fun, not being an asshole, and getting laid!

Don't waste your college years doing nothing but playing video games. Seriously! Store them in a cool dry place and they'll still be around when you're old and don't have the energy to go out anymore.

[Bananamatic]

I feel sorry for you amerifats
forced to give a shit about irrelevant classes in high school due to the GPA meme, then having to pay big money for left wing indoctrination centres with more irrelevant shit classes
meanwhile I got through high school on Cs, almost failed literature in my last year (read only 1 and a half of a book out of the required 25) and got to university just as easily as those who studied their ass off (for free because we don't spend ridiculous money on stuff like college sportsball) and it didn't include "general education" garbage that could be honestly better spent playing shmups

stop counting your grades and just come to eastern europe and take it easy dude

[tjstogy]

My two cents.... just get a degree of any sort (go to community) and then readjust your life-course as you meet people and learn things. You can always go to a good college afterwards if you really decide you need it for a specialty niche-type field, and you'll have saved yourself a shit ton of money. You may not even need college. I didn't go, and I have a very good job. Most companies are looking for experience first, degree second. My brother for example, no college, worked hard, makes $250k/yr. Whatever you are studying for- find successful people in that field now and befriend them. Get a Linkedin and add them, ask them to be your mentor. It's about who you know in today's world, wayyyyy more than what you know. If I could turn back to when I was 18, 11 years ago, that would be my advice to myself. Good luck

[tjstogy]

You sound pretty cool, bro.

I feel sorry for you amerifats
forced to give a shit about irrelevant classes in high school due to the GPA meme, then having to pay big money for left wing indoctrination centres with more irrelevant shit classes
meanwhile I got through high school on Cs, almost failed literature in my last year (read only 1 and a half of a book out of the required 25) and got to university just as easily as those who studied their ass off (for free because we don't spend ridiculous money on stuff like college sportsball) and it didn't include "general education" garbage that could be honestly better spent playing shmups

stop counting your grades and just come to eastern europe and take it easy dude

[atheistgod1999]

For my last Biology test, which I took a couple days ago, I reviewed the material for nearly 2 hours the night before, which was the first time in my life that I studied for my than a couple of minutes.
Today, my class found out their grades, and it turns out that my preparation really paid off:

Spoiler

While the class average was 70% (test was extremely hard), I got 92%, which was eight points above the second-highest score (and even that was relatively extremely high). So far, my term 2 grade in that class (96%) is high enough to raise my total to an A. I wonder if the class is gonna have some stuff to make it easy for the rest of the class to bring their grade back up, which would just make my grade incredibly high.

Also, I asked my Math teacher, and she said my total grade in that class is now an A-.

While I can't even remember the last time I got below a B+ on a test(and I get a B+ less than half the time), I wonder if I could get something like >95% on average if I studied for every test like the one I just took.

[EmperorIng]

I feel sorry for you amerifats
forced to give a shit about irrelevant classes in high school due to the GPA meme
stop counting your grades and just come to eastern europe

You're such a shithead lmao; I love you

[atheistgod1999]

I got a 1210 (610 for reading/writing, 600 for math) on my PSAT, which is the 84th percentile. I probably could've done better, had I gotten more than 2 hours of sleep (mind was kinda foggy when I took it).

[Bananamatic]

see, if you spent less time studying and more time playing mmos until late night then you'd be more used to not having enough sleep and in the end your performance wouldn't change

[atheistgod1999]

see, if you spent less time studying and more time playing mmos until late night then you'd be more used to not having enough sleep and in the end your performance wouldn't change

Thanks for the advice. I honestly wonder if you're Socrates reincarnated.

Spoiler