stickybuns !bENfolDsOU started this discussion 14 years ago#21,627
Hello Mini-friendsâ„¢! As you're all doubtless aware, I get to apply to college soon. Hooray! I've grown up with you all. I joined T4C late freshman year, and it evolved into Minichan not long after. Friends, confidantes, countrymen...I ask your assistance in this grave time:
How many colleges is it normal to apply to?
How many of each 'level' of school?
Where?
How do I get over my dislike of small schools in yucky places?
Who watches the Watchmen?
What do I do if my dreams are summarily crushed? financially or otherwise?
All these questions and more can be answered by you!
They pay you to go to University and have entry level jobs available in your city of choice.
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 11 minutes after the original post[^][v]#343,199
@343,196 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
You have great chances of getting into pretty much everything but the very best.
It's a damn shame my lack of reading skills in the ways of written arts will inhibit my chances of getting into a good college that I can afford. Ironically, my English skills were quite good, and my grammatical skills were top notch.
You will probably not have that as many problems in regards to college financing as I will, seeing as how I have less than stellar high school performance (mostly in part from me trying to take risks and learn something rather than try to take the easy routes that give me a 4.0 GPA.
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q double-posted this 14 years ago, 50 seconds later, 12 minutes after the original post[^][v]#343,200
@343,198 (C)
That university is very selective, but it'll help you get into higher-up positions with McDonalds, which are very secure.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 4 minutes later, 17 minutes after the original post[^][v]#343,203
@343,199 (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
I guess my biggest worry now is the 'but the very best' caveat. Two of my top schools are Ivy league. They contacted me first, but still. The others are in the 'new ivy' range so they're no quite as selective though they're still great. And since those are my 'standards', it will be hard for me to accept less (despite the inevitability).
Aw :/ Math is my stumbling point; even putting effort in I barely slide through.
In regards to the financing thing: I'm kind of in the range where, need-based specifically, my parents make enough to cut back on need-based aid received but not enough to actually pay for college. As such, high-end schools are better for me as they offer shitloads of financial aid.
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 18 minutes after the original post[^][v]#343,204
@343,200 (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
They have to be selective, after all the opportunities they offer are infinite.
squeegee !firstkPE1Q joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 13 minutes later, 32 minutes after the original post[^][v]#343,207
hair college. you know you want to
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 52 seconds later, 32 minutes after the original post[^][v]#343,208
@previous (squeegee !firstkPE1Q)
Maybe catering college if nothing else works, but not that.
Anonymous E joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 8 minutes later, 41 minutes after the original post[^][v]#343,212
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 22 seconds later, 41 minutes after the original post[^][v]#343,213
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 47 minutes after the original post[^][v]#343,216
@343,203 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Don't be so picky. Go with one with good STEM courses and you're pretty much set for life. I'd be lucky to be able to get into University of Michigan -- Ann Arbor, but I'd rather go to Michigan Tech. Nice and cool up there, plus it's very close to my grandparents whom I rarely get to see.
Math, Science and English are my "gifts", as I got 27 on Math and English, and 28 on my science on my first ACT. I got 22 on my reading and a 6 out of 12 on my writing section fucking sucked because I tried to keep my arguments short and sweet rather than excessively-long and with needless pretentious "fancy" words.
I know how that is, being in the financial-aid no-mans land. My white, non-hispanic parents make a combined income of 130k (that's after taxes, of course) and that means that I'll get jack shit in needs-based financial aid, yet I'll only get around 5k of college fund money. It's going to suck trying to fulfill my dream of owning my own forest-surrounded private lake, but at least the upper peninsula is practically handing them out like candy.
(Edited 2 minutes later.)
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q double-posted this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 49 minutes after the original post[^][v]#343,217
@343,213 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Why not? Are your parents afraid that you'll drink there because it's legal to drink under the age in LA? The north tends to have more tolerable people, anyway.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 4 minutes later, 53 minutes after the original post[^][v]#343,218
@343,216 (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
It's hard for me to not be. Growing up being told to go to Harvard and not to local schools has spoilt me into only accepted the best. Which sucks. And UMichigan is a good school from what I've seen!
STEM are my weak points. I'm going for Economics, foreign languages, and a smattering of history, politics, philosophy and writing to prepare me for international business, journalism, or law school. I made a 35 on English and a 34 on reading, but 25 and 26 in math and science. Writing was an 8.
I'm pretty sure the only way I'll get anywhere in paying is if I convince my grandparents to pitch it. They can definitely defintely afford to, but they're a bit stingy and it's not technically their responsibility.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) double-posted this 14 years ago, 46 seconds later, 54 minutes after the original post[^][v]#343,219
@343,217 (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
nonono, I'm not allowing myself to. I'm not a fan of Southern culture.
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 58 minutes after the original post[^][v]#343,220
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
That's good. Neither am I.
Anonymous F joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#343,221
@OP > How many colleges is it normal to apply to?
Apply to as may you actually want to get in to. Can you see yourself there? Does that sound cool? Apply.
> How many of each 'level' of school?
If your you and your parents aren't balking at the cost of simply applying yet, then just apply to as many you are genuinely interested in attending. If it's not a financial problem, have at least one or two "long shot" applications to schools that you would really like to go to but might not get into. Definitely apply to one or two schools that you like and that you know will accept you. Your scores are pretty good, so you have a lot of options.
Also, don't get hung up on acceptance letters. Some schools you apply to might not accept you. There are lots of different reasons that may happen. Don't freak the fuck out about it. Don't take it personally. Just roll with it.
> How do I get over my dislike of small schools in yucky places?
Small schools can be great for undergrad! Instead of being packed into a lecture hall with 300-400 other students and maybe having one of the TAs remember your name after a few weeks, you may actually get to know and work with real, actual professors. :D Large schools are often driven by research and ensuring that the grant money is constantly flowing. Large schools can hire people who are big names in their field to ensure that these things happen, but brilliant researchers don't generally have the time, energy, or drive to focus on teaching intro-level courses to 19 year-old kids. Smaller schools tend to be more relaxed and have a larger number of faculty who enjoy their field and enjoy teaching others what they know. Smaller student populations and smaller class sizes can be great.
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 6 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#343,222
@343,218 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
If they want you to go to Harvard instead of local schools so bad, tell them to pay for it.
I'm not exactly a big fan of globalism, so I could never do that. The world needs better journalists. Do NOT go to law school, unless you find the prospect of having pissed away hundreds of thousands of dollars just to be able to work for some unstable law firm for $12/hr. If I were to retake my ACT, I'd probably get my scores within the 30s range. Damn your English is good, but you need to get your math and science up. Business needs good math skills, especially if you want to get into corporate embezzlement or some shit.
My grandparents are giving me $2,000 and I find that to be quite generous except for the fact that college is really fucking expensive right now. Hopefully I'll be able to indulge in some financial aid without having to take out excessive loans.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 18 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#343,225
@343,221 (F)
Alright. so something like 8 with a mix of reach (cornell), middleground (UT) and safety (something cheap like CC) would be a good blend? I need to find more lower schools because I'm too hung up on big names...
And I guess what I meant by small schools was tiny schools in rural kentucky and shit who harass me to visit constantly. I found a good (albeit expensive) school in Vermont which is small. The problem with them (as so many other small schools I've seen) is that they don't offer really what I want to take. And they're a bit more expensive and give less aid.
@previous (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
They have no problem paying some, but financial aid is going to have to be a lot. Harvard gives out LOADS of financial aid, though. I could definitely get a fair amount from there.
Those are things I actually enjoy, so I think I'd do better in them. Ideas focused, as opposed to NUMBERS NUMBERS NUMBERS. And as for law school, if I go that route it's only so I can do more in the international field.
Yeah, I need to really get those up. I may take the SAT for the first time instead of a third ACT just because I heard SAT was a bit easier and may be more down my alley.
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 7 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#343,227
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU) > And I guess what I meant by small schools was tiny schools in rural kentucky and shit who harass me to visit constantly.
Heh. I know just how that is. However, I also get some high-tier universities begging for me to go to their college. Like Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. I don't really want to go there, because it's too fucking expensive.
I will probably get a fair amount of student aid. This fall, I'll be going to community college and high school at the same time, even though I don't want to attend either. It fucking sucks but hey, one more year and I'll be free of this shit. And free of the goddamn suburban sprawl.
Engineering is more than just numbers, you know.
I may take the SAT, too. Hey, what did you get on your first go at the ACT? Just curious.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 13 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#343,228
@previous (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
Yeah, me too. Cornell sent me something today, UPenn is pretty frequent, and UChicago practically begs lol. I think I've got Rensselaer some as well.
I see. I wanted to do some CC stuff but I couldn't factor it into my schedule.
What else is it? O_O
First go? 29. Same with the second.
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 9 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#343,230
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
CC is not so bad, except that the route to get there makes me want to punch myself in the balls because it drains my fucking gas tank.
It's also design and circuitry.
Jesus, man. That's good.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^][v]#343,234
@previous (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
My biggest fear with CC is that I know if I don't get out of here early, then I won't ever. Routine ends after high school, and then another starts. If I start the CC routine, I'll have refooted myself here and may get myself stuck. I can't do that to myself :c
I'm bad at those, too >_<
Thank you, though most people I know got 30+ so I felt like shit lol.
Handel !tYHPZ2dvu6 joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 2 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,236
> How many colleges is it normal to apply to?
In Ireland we can officially apply for 20 courses (maximum). 10 being a high level, 10 being low level. I applied for all 20.
> How many of each 'level' of school?
See above.
> Where?
I applied for colleges all over Ireland, ironically I wish I had applied for colleges abroad.
> How do I get over my dislike of small schools in yucky places?
Don't. As someone already said, if you can'y see yourself going there don't apply.
> Who watches the Watchmen?
Whom?
> What do I do if my dreams are summarily crushed? financially or otherwise?
Try not to get disheartened. If all else fails go back to school. It may sound crazy but you're still young enough to do it.
(Edited 8 seconds later.)
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 11 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,240
@343,234 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
My biggest fear is of debt.
Design isn't so bad.
What the fuck? Most of my friends got around 19-23 and some dumbass got 16. I guess that's wayne county public schools for you. I could've gotten into the International Academy but the drive each day would be too fucking much.
(Edited 36 seconds later.)
qew joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 15 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,246
@OP
isn't somebody supposed to teach you these things? jesus.
go to a place you find likable.
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 11 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,247
Ok stickybuns, as someone who is friendly with people who went to Harvard, Cornell, UChicago, etc. let me tell you that you aren't guaranteed financial aid. You don't have the grades to get a full ride on academics, and you don't qualify for need-based. That means you get whatever financial aid Harvard wants to give you, and since their endowment plummeted and they even cut back on hot breakfasts, that's not gonna be a lot. That means loans, and lots of them. Also, remember your aid is tied to your GPA. if you get below a certain GPA (3.0 is the lowest I've seen, some go up to 3.5) you will lose your scholarship with no chance of getting it back. That means if you fuck up too much you will be forced to take out loans anyway. I'm not saying you will, but seriously don't overestimate yourself. If the only way you can afford to go to a school is to have the school cover 3/4ths of the tuition on the condition that you maintain a really high GPA, you might be biting off more than you can chew. College is a lot harder than high school in terms of workload and work difficulty. By junior year you will be cracking out 8-10 page papers with ease, but getting to that point will require a lot of effort that may reflect poorly on your GPA if you're a slow learner.
I don't know exactly where I'm going with this but don't just ASSUME that there will be adequate funding, and don't take any scholarships if the strings attached are too binding.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 15 hours later, 18 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,360
@343,240 (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
That's one of mine too ;c
I can't design things :/
I mean, I know a lot of people who scored 16, but a surprising number of my friends did well. It was weird.
@343,246 (qew)
Tiny number of college grads in my entire family. The ones who have degrees got them from the local public college which everyone who doesn't get into other schools goes to. I basically have to learn this stuff myself.
@previous (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
:/ Quit with your logical outlook on this. It makes me feel bad ;_;
ugh. I mean, I can handle workload and shit and I adapt quickly, but still. Fuck.
:c
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 4 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,361
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
I just hope that my debt will be under 20k.
If you're going into business, then you don't really have to worry about designing. You can hire engineers to do that for you.
Not many of my friends did well. Though my best friend did get 30 on his English and 29 on his writing, he fucking sucked at STEM shit.
Anonymous J joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,362
You’re a big boy, now. It’s time to make your own goddamned decisions.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,364
@343,361 (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
i hope that for myself as well. ;c
I guess. I don't know if I want to go down that route, though, anyway >_<
You all have me worried now. It fucking sucks not being - just - good enough for the schools I really want to go to. I've decided I'm definitely taking the SAT to see if I do enormously better, and I meet with my counselor in two weeks to discuss various options. I need my shit together by then to present her.
How exactly do third-party scholarships work?
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 7 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,370
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
I am someone that is past all of that. Doing well $$ wise and in my opinion what counts and really helps is: No matter what test scores show, what counts is how motivated you are. If subjects drive you crazy re enjoyment then you will excel however if you're going to just go through the motions then its not going to mean much. I have worked with people that were top in their class yet were worthless at work. Engineers who could not even find the on switch on test equipment nor am I kidding.
You can see that I suck at English yet that never got in my way work wise. Found cool ways to get past that.
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 22 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,377
@343,364 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
It'll be bad enough going into debt to buy my own lake and forest, let alone having to have excessive college debt to pay as well.
You'll do fine in business, so long as you're good at being a sociopath.
Quit whining about how you might not get that Ivy League education you always wanted. So what? It's not the end of the freaking world. Even if I could get into Harvard, I'd rather try to get into a smaller school that I could easily afford. There are also prestigious tuition-free schools that give you a full-ride scholarship.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,380
And I guess I'm just afraid of not having as many opportunities at a smaller school. I mean, I used to be gung-ho about Reed in Oregon, but they offer fewer things I want and I don't think I'd have as many opportunities in Oregon.
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 17 seconds later, 18 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,381
@343,377 (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
Question for you - The cost to achieve your goal will take time and will cost some money. Your dream is expensive. What just if you get your dream, what happens if you find after you have your "Island" you discover its not at all what you thought it would be.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 2 hours later, 21 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,432
State schools out of state: stupid idea? William and Mary is one I'm fairly interested in (despite being back in time), but it's a public college in Virginia. And I get out of state tuition. BUT they offer Dual degree programs in two things I'm interested in with St. Andrews in Scotland, which may be interesting. Plus, I'd be near D.C. for internships and still reasonably close to home.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) double-posted this 14 years ago, 32 minutes later, 21 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,470
#2 what about going to school in a smaller, rural place and then moving to a city for employment? Is that advisable? or is it better to go to school in a city so you can get a foothold?
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) triple-posted this 14 years ago, 14 minutes later, 21 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,498
Will there be more opportunities with east Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese) or European languages (French, Russian, German, etc)?
squeegee !firstkPE1Q replied with this 14 years ago, 34 minutes later, 22 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,549
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Handel is Irish?
Anonymous K joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 6 minutes later, 22 hours after the original post[^][v]#343,556
What are you planning to major in? Don't go to college if you don't know.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 hour later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,606
@previous (K)
There are three areas (except at UPenn) that I'm interested in: International Affairs, Economics, and foreign language. I'd like to double major in (as an example) chinese studies and international relations. It'd give me a good grounding in an area, and there would be overlap between majors (language requirement).
Or economics and IR. That would have overlap as well and I'd still get language, just not as intensive.
Or Econ and language, and I'd have a narrower knowledge base but a more focused one.
A part of my wants to get into journalism (at a major organization) as a foreign correspondent (foreign language aww yeah) or perhaps a war reporter, even. Maybe a commentator as well. I don't want a journalism degree, particularly, though. I'd rather have something to write about and learn about the field independently than learn how to be a journalist and have no special area to write on. Christopher hitchens was a commentator and journalist and he had a degree in Philosophy, politics, and economics which provided him with a wealth of knowledge to draw from as a writer across the world. UPenn offers that major, and I want that.
I also think some sort of international business is what I want to do.
Anonymous K replied with this 14 years ago, 7 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,610
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
How about getting a real degree
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,615
@previous (K)
inb4 one-man stem circlejerk. Real degrees were exactly what I want to study when universities first became things. The liberal arts were studied, focus was put on the Classics (as it should be).
Anonymous K replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,617
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Enjoy teaching English in 3rd world countries
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,620
@previous (K)
I will, thank you for the encouragement.
But really, I want to do journalism or something, not explicitly help people. I'm not THAt good of a person.
Anonymous K replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,624
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Makes a lot of sense to get training for a job that literally anyone with an internet connection can do. I hear the job market's great.
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 35 seconds later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,627
@343,380 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Yes, tuition-free universities exist in America. They are very selective and you have a higher chance than me for getting into it. @343,381 (C)
My dream is quite affordable. Private lakes in the UP are a dime a dozen and you can get a nice one for about 250k. Add a nice house and it'll be 350k-450k. Not too hard, but it'll be a challenge.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,629
@343,624 (K)
And how many people who study this on the internet in their free time get jobs with it?
@previous (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
What would be an example of one? O_O
Anonymous K replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,631
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,632
@previous (K)
Can you cite me anything?
And what do you study?
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,634
@343,629 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
They seem to be heavily STEM schools, but you may find one that helps teach HOW2BIZNES101.
Oh, an example? Cooper Union
(Edited 57 seconds later.)
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 4 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,635
@previous (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
ooh, that's nice! A bit more artsy than I need, but very cool. I shall look for more of these! Thank you <3
Anonymous K replied with this 14 years ago, 41 seconds later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,636
@343,632 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
No. Don't pretend that you want advice when you've clearly already made up your mind.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 43 seconds later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,637
@previous (K)
I do want it! Just provide it please.
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,638
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
That's what she said.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 48 seconds later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,639
@previous (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
No, I said that :L
HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,640
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Your statement had potential to be provocative, depending on the scenario. I then replied with an implication of a sexually-aroused female making an urgent petition to engage in erotic sexual intercourse.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 49 seconds later, 1 day after the original post[^][v]#343,641
@previous (HaikerensGuide !0VegJ9Jl.Q)
I understand, I merely feigned ignorance for comedic effect. I apologize for any confusion caused.