For some of you Sparklers, your college search probably began in the third grade, when Mom and Dad took you to their alma maters, bought you a sweatshirt, and waxed poetic about how you'll follow in their footsteps someday. Since then, your life has been filled SAT prep classes, trips to the guidance counselor, and AP classes all designed to get your into your dream school.
For others, however, it's entirely possible to make it most of the way through high school and realize you're none too sure about what you need to do to get to college. Take this email we received:
Hello my name is Megan and I'm a junior at high school. I have no idea where to go and what the reality of life is yet. Like with the costs and the time and the hardship none of it has hit me. ALL my friends want me to go where they are going and I just want to be happy and go to college to get somewhere and become someone! But to get there I know nothing like SATs or ACTs and I have no idea what I need or have to do to prepare myself for it. I just want to go to college not have to stress all the "what ifs." Please help me.
Last week’s post on study stress inspired some great questions from a few Sparklers. This week, I’m going to address a few. Anonymoushorse left the following comment in reaction to a tip suggesting that you stop comparing your academic achievements to those of other students:
I have a problem as well that wasn't addressed--for me, I have barely any confidence. Each time I get low grades, I feel worse and worse, and not only that … I feel no good college would accept me except for the fact that I don't feel I have enough time to worry- I'm worrying about choosing a major, choosing a career, dorm life, applications, and accomplishments(none so far... well I did have a few in middle school but that doesn't help since colleges look at accomplishments done during high school) and this keeps me from being able to do #2 on the list. Any tips?
Our recent post about SAT scores struck a nerve with a number of readers, as the comments prove. The post gave some of you a chance to show off the results of your hard work and share some impressive scores. For others, it brought up one of your biggest anxieties: that a good SAT score represents a golden ticket to the university of your choice and that, if you don’t have it, you can forget about ever getting through those pearly campus gates.
Here’s an email we received from one worried reader:
I need some advice dealing with SAT scores. I want to get into Emory University, but I have a low SAT score. My score is a 1460 with writing included and a total of 1000 with my math and verbal scores added together. I have a 4.0 GPA, I am in Beta Club and also a Beta Club Vice President, 4-h Club and 4-h officer, FCCLA, Top Ten Percent of my class, Senior Superlative, and Colorguard Captain. Just about everything goes my way but SAT Scores. What should I do? I am taking the SAT again,but I don't think it is going to help. I have already sent in my application. I was nominated for the Emory Scholars Program, too. Please help me I really want to get into Emory! Thank you!
We recently received an email from Nelson, a student who has applied for early admission at the University of Georgia. He wanted to know if the following constitutes a good score:
