Panicking about college!

[Derfasciti]

OT: Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I was hoping to get the attention of more college-like people with a focus on history who know what college is like,

On topic:

FYI: High School Senior in West Virginia, U.S.A.

Ok, very recently I've been REALLY worrying about my future. I am a dedicated student when it comes to my interests (history) but I'm at best mediocre at everything else. I wish I could be better but I don't know if its laziness or that I just don't really care about the subjects, but I just can't seem to get really good at anything. My SAT was like 1400 composite (it had an essay with it FYI) and my ACT is like 19 composite (maybe a bit lower to be conservative). I'm probably Not going to get much better because I am TERRIBLE at math.

I've been going through this real fear of not being able to get into college for the past couple days. I was thinking about W.V.U. but I also hear that is a hardcore party school. And I am not a partyer(sp?) at all. I'd like to get to a school that would accept my grades and provide me with a good history (preferably European) doctoral program.

I don't know about college at all. I know nothing about how exactly to get in or the reqs or what.


Are Test scores the end all and be all of college acceptance?


What do you guys think are my chances? Any advice? Any ideas for schools? I'm really getting anxious here.

[BDC]

No idea, but going out and partying is good. Even if you don't think you like it, still good. Especially when alcohol becomes freely available (go 18 age limit in Britain!).

[Tamur]

hi Derfasciti,

I'm not a partier either, but ended up working at one of America's party schools. Because you're going to one doesn't mean you need to participate. There will doubtless be others like you at WVU who aren't terribly interested in the party scene and more interested in specific subject areas, especially if you're going into history.

The big determinant of what sort of experience you have is where you live. If your school *requires* you to live in the dorms, then with you not being a partyer you will have a *miserable* time, believe me. With no reservations I would advise living off campus. If the university you've chosen requires dorm residence, go somewhere else. Give yourself some space until you know some folks and know who you like hanging out with.

As for SAT/ACT scores, they are important if you're going for higher-end places, but they are not vital for a lot of state schools in the US. It's extremely unlikely that WVU would have any problem at all with yours.

Best of luck!
Tamur

[Ice]

OT: Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I was hoping to get the attention of more college-like people with a focus on history who know what college is like,

On topic:

FYI: High School Senior in West Virginia, U.S.A.

Ok, very recently I've been REALLY worrying about my future. I am a dedicated student when it comes to my interests (history) but I'm at best mediocre at everything else. I wish I could be better but I don't know if its laziness or that I just don't really care about the subjects, but I just can't seem to get really good at anything. My SAT was like 1400 composite (it had an essay with it FYI) and my ACT is like 19 composite (maybe a bit lower to be conservative). I'm probably Not going to get much better because I am TERRIBLE at math.

I've been going through this real fear of not being able to get into college for the past couple days. I was thinking about W.V.U. but I also hear that is a hardcore party school. And I am not a partyer(sp?) at all. I'd like to get to a school that would accept my grades and provide me with a good history (preferably European) doctoral program.

I don't know about college at all. I know nothing about how exactly to get in or the reqs or what.


Are Test scores the end all and be all of college acceptance?


What do you guys think are my chances? Any advice? Any ideas for schools? I'm really getting anxious here.

Don't sweat it. Go to WVU. I just visited Penn State this weekend. It is suppose to be the #2 party school in the nation. I didn't party once. We just didn't feel like it. The point is, you don't have to party if you don't want to. Don't let the reputation scare you. There is always the option to, if you want to. Give it a try. If you don't like it, don't. I NEVER partied in high school. I now party occasionally in college. College is much different then high school, don't sweat it.

[AntiochusIII]

Oh, at least you took ACT! I haven't taken any such tests, SAT's included, until literally the last minutes. Last Saturday was harrowing: I went in for three hard subjects--Math Level 2 (how ambitious, having never taken even the Level 1), Literature, and US History--with absolutely no preparation. I came out knowing I'd fail my math for not knowing half the concepts necessary but hopefully will shine on the other two. Having scored 5 on both AP tests (for US History and English Comp) with no preparation either, you can say I was, and am, overconfident. It will probably come down hard some time next month.

I came to the USA at what they consider Sophomore year over here (of course, since the Asian school systems were so much more logical in setting Middle School and High School at 3 years each, I also just graduated from Middle School too...), in which, being virtually illiterate in English, took only the simplest courses--though I aced them all, a wasted year. While Junior was fun, with an extracurricular activity that I participated well enough, winning a few debate trophies in the process; taking AP courses at my own initiative and with good results, and on average made myself look a little better in paper, it is far from enough. I could say I'm quite disadvantaged and could finally see the truly good points of such a technically and fundamentally "unfair" policy as Affirmative Action.

At least you have some idea where you're going, though! Me? Not at all. A few universities seem to take interest in me, however, so I might look closer into them. Anyone ever heard of Creighton?

Honestly, though, I'd like somewhere on the West Coast, preferably California. (And a sad knowledge that half the country thinks like me = huge competition).



However, it has become my opinion that where you're going to college isn't going to matter that much, but it's going to be the people--peers and professors--you meet that is going to make or break you, which is a total wildcard. Though that doesn't help me with my college dilemma either: Orgahs, where would you go to if you are (or you think you are) a capable student trapped in Las Vegas with a prejudice against deserts and a not-too-shiny piece of resume?

By the way, this is, I believe, more suited to the Frontroom.

[yesdachi]

I’d hit CC until you figure out what you want to do and where you want to go.

[Duke Malcolm]

No idea, but going out and partying is good. Even if you don't think you like it, still good. Especially when alcohol becomes freely available (go 18 age limit in Britain!).

There's an age limit?

When you say "preferably European" do you mean a European programme or European History?

[Derfasciti]

I’d hit CC until you figure out what you want to do and where you want to go.

That's an idea I've been really thinking about. However, I really want a pretty good idea now about where I'm going to want to go.


To clarify "party": What I mean is drinking and just whatever. Not into that. Now, obviously I like the idea of hanging out with friends in the same MMORPG but eh, probly not what everyone else would consider a "party". I avoid drinking because of moral, and just generally personal issues. I don't like the idea of just hanging out and drinking.... at all.

And I think it's safe to say that if that kind of environment is predominant, it's going to probably. really annoy me and hurt my experience.

[Ice]

That's an idea I've been really thinking about. However, I really want a pretty good idea now about where I'm going to want to go.


To clarify "party": What I mean is drinking and just whatever. Not into that. Now, obviously I like the idea of hanging out with friends in the same MMORPG but eh, probly not what everyone else would consider a "party". I avoid drinking because of moral, and just generally personal issues. I don't like the idea of just hanging out and drinking.... at all.

And I think it's safe to say that if that kind of environment is predominant, it's going to probably. really annoy me and hurt my experience.

Like I said,not really. You don't have to drink if you don't want to. You are fearing college way to much, it isn't that bad.

[Csargo]

That's an idea I've been really thinking about. However, I really want a pretty good idea now about where I'm going to want to go.


To clarify "party": What I mean is drinking and just whatever. Not into that. Now, obviously I like the idea of hanging out with friends in the same MMORPG but eh, probly not what everyone else would consider a "party". I avoid drinking because of moral, and just generally personal issues. I don't like the idea of just hanging out and drinking.... at all.

And I think it's safe to say that if that kind of environment is predominant, it's going to probably. really annoy me and hurt my experience.

Just calm down and have a few beers it'll all be good.

[Ice]

Just calm down and have a few beers it'll all be good.

Beers? Ugh. Unless it's really good beer, you can keep it. I drank enough cheap stuff to start hating it.

[Csargo]

Beers? Ugh. Unless it's really good beer, you can keep it. I drank enough cheap stuff to start hating it.

Gah Ice that's not my fault you've had crappy beer.

[VAE VICTUS]

get ready to read, and write more than you have done ever before...

[Ice]

get ready to read, and write more than you have done ever before...

And stress out. And study hours for an exam to find out the stuff you studied only makes up 20% of the exam...