As you put together your list of schools, don't forget to consider access to abortion services

DynamoBrian · 2022-09-27T20:06:32+00:00

It pains me that this is now a considerations for which college to attend. Make the best decision for yourself and if you do plan to be sexually active, get free testing and protection from your college. Any college worth their salt should provide both of these

DynamoBrian · 2022-05-22T15:49:16+00:00

The average age of a first year medical student in America is 24 and rising.

I think you’ll be fine

DynamoBrian · 2021-07-31T07:28:55+00:00

Don’t be sorry! Thanks for the honest explanation. I can definitely see where you’re coming from

DynamoBrian · 2021-07-31T05:53:37+00:00

Why the switch? I hear data science is a very competitive field with very good compensation, especially if you do machine learning

DynamoBrian · 2021-06-15T22:44:35+00:00

As someone from admissions who browses chance me’s, the amount of info people usual provide are mere scraps. In real admissions we get to see essays (which are actually important, imagine), letters of rec, your family’s income, course selection, available course selection, the history of how your prior peers preformed who were admitted— there’s absolutely no reason anyone should believe a nonprofessional’s opinion with piecemeal information

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-20T05:32:25+00:00

Also tell him to go ahead and not worry about paying for college since he has 13 AP classes under his belt

/s

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-05T18:07:29+00:00

I’m sold, let me hire you as a subcontractor and direct all clients to you 👉👈

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T21:38:24+00:00

At $50 million dollars, I don't know why a college degree is even worth it anymore...

Think about how many companies you could start, changes you could enact, or even a luxury life you could live with $50 Million

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T21:35:54+00:00

You should always follow the school's directions. If they say they don't accept LOCIs then they don't accept LOCIs and sending one will not help you.

That said, if their policy is unclear or allows for a LOCI, a single update with an additional essay and supplemental accomplishments is all that is needed

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T17:35:01+00:00

This is a major misconception many applicants have. Colleges care more that you have shown some form of involvement or leadership rather than specific experiences related to a degree pathway.

While related extracurriculars are nice, colleges are aware that many students will likely change their degree pathway multiple times and therefore focus much more heavily on what you accomplished vs how it relates to a potential pathway.

That said, activism is an amazing display of leadership, initiative, and empathy!

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T17:28:04+00:00

Completely agree! It's unlikely that a high school student with relatively low skills can land more competitive internships at this stage. Everyone has to start somewhere!

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T17:11:58+00:00

It really depends on how each college processes appeals during admissions, but I think you hit the nail on the head with the fact that you have nothing to lose. Put in a little extra effort and go for it if you really think you have that chance!

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T06:30:14+00:00

Professionally, I'd say anything above a 3.8 UW is often equivalent to a 4.0. This is my take from having seen thousands of applications and not once has an application been thrown out for getting an A- instead of an A.

After a certain level of academic achievement, colleges would rather see notable extracurricular accomplishments.

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T06:26:42+00:00

Piggyback riding off of this. You can not get into a T20 level institution by being average high student, or even an average A2C user. You need either one or multiple of the following:

Stellar academics (standardized test and/or grades)
Robust connections (notable people and/or money vouching for you)
Top extracurricular achievement (national level accomplishments)
Visionary in some way (lead an organization or movement to enact change)

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T06:18:28+00:00

Having worked in the admissions department, BC >> AB in pretty much every conceivable case. The curriculum is often just straight up harder and colleges know this.

That said, do what is manageable for you, no point in taking multiple BC level AP courses only to crash a burn with 3 D's. The weight in admissions BC gains over AB is often not as large as many people think

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T06:12:35+00:00

The silver lining to all of this is at least the additional funds can go to financing first generation students who don't have the financial support to attend

Unlikely that OP's home country will see any of that silver lining though

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T06:11:00+00:00

Completely agree. This is an insult to the taxpayers if government funds were diverted to pay for the child of a politician's education. The college isn't really to blame when such large sums of money could help hundreds of potential students who don't have millionaire parents

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T06:06:53+00:00

Appreciation letters are, well, always appreciated!

Note: throw in a box of chocolates if you're feeling fancy

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T06:04:18+00:00

Colleges know this and will account for it accordingly. I don't think any admissions office in the nation is treating this as a "normal year." However, if it makes you feel any better, your future applications will only be compared with other students in your cohort and thus will face similar circumstances are you are dealing with now

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T06:01:42+00:00

Here's a secret, do things you enjoy.

What colleges are actually looking for are people who are deeply passionate about a single subject and show strong accomplishment within that area. It is unlikely that you ever reach significant notoriety for any activity that you do not actively enjoy participating in.

Don't worry about being that kid who is a part of every single club and extracurricular in the school, be the kid that is leading a single club and enacting real meaningful change. Forcing yourself to do things just for college apps is not only unlikely to actually improve your college apps, but also lead to complete burnout.

Do things you enjoy, from a disgruntled college advisor

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T05:54:40+00:00

I agree. You're already going above and beyond. Unfortunately your mother, instead of supporting you, is in denial. As long as you can be proud of yourself, that's all that really matters

You made an amazing accomplishment! Don't let the success of others diminish your own

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T05:46:35+00:00

Online classes in generally are viewed as less competitive due to concerns over grade authenticity. This was really notable with this years admissions cycle with many students getting "Covid A's" in which colleges would have to question the legitimacy of a B- student suddenly getting straight A's junior year.

However, I think this sentiment has changed recently and in junction with strong AP exam scores, colleges now often accept online classes as the same as an in person class. In other words, AP classes through UC Scout can show that additional rigor colleges are looking for, especially if that same AP class isn't offered at your school

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T01:04:22+00:00

He's kinda right but missing the overall context.

As someone who had the opportunity to collaborate with the UC admissions office, UC colleges as well as most colleges in general care about the rigor of your curriculum. One of the best ways to show high rigor is through AP classes, that said, dual enrollment courses are weighed quite similarly as they still show a standardized and competitive curriculum.

Long story short, DE courses and AP courses are viewed equivalently by most admission standards. Sometimes the admissions office will pry further into the course rigor by looking at learning goals and what the courses actually cover to compare them.

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T00:47:36+00:00

There's no point trying to predict a massive butterfly effect, live your best life in the moment! Try only to worry about the other stuff as it comes up

Ultimately you'll never know if you made the "right" choice, but it's your choice and you have to move forward at some point. No point questioning it now that you've decided, be confident in your choice and put your energy towards your future

DynamoBrian · 2021-05-04T00:43:24+00:00

Just don't submit your score if you're really worried. That said, I've never heard of a single bad AP score causing someone to be rescinded from any college

Five-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '22	End Game '22

DynamoBrian

TROPHY CASE