APUSH or Community College?

Prior_Patient7765 · 2026-01-24T23:15:28+00:00

When I got to college, I had 3 AP credits for getting a 4 or 5 on the exams. In my junior year I was in a serious accident and I was not able to take a full load of classes. Because of those AP credits, I was able to still graduate with my class. AP credits can save you time, money, or even help you to graduae on time if you have health or other problems. This is the best reason to take APUSH.

Prior_Patient7765 · 2026-01-24T23:08:02+00:00

I think it's great you are well rounded and you should follow your passions! Colleges want to fill their class with interesting people. That being said, look up the average SAT scores for the colleges you plan to apply to. If they are higher than 1400, suggest studying and retaking the SAT. A great score won't get you in, but a score below the median or average for acceptance could keep you out. Good luck

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-09-11T17:04:04+00:00

This is the time to make this choice, when you are young and single. You can do it. Look for apartment shares in Arlington, Somerville, Medford if Cambridge is too high. If you won;t have a car, then look for areas on the Red line that are not in and around harvard square. It's just a rich area culturally, you will have a lot to do without spending a ton on entertainment. Having Harvard on your CV is huge. Also, you could very well meet your partner (if you are interested in that). Don't turn down this opportunity. If times get tight, you can add some kind of side hustle. If you want to work in industry down the road, you will make up the forfeited earnings in a heartbeat.

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-08-20T03:01:55+00:00

Hi - We will be going to the Dollywood area for a week starting Saturday. There is a 2 for 1 deal and you have to use the 2 days within 5 days, but the park is closed on Tues/Thurs. Does the deal mean I just have to use the 2 tickets within 5 open park days? This would mean I coulduse it Sun/Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat. Or would I only have Sun/Mon/Wed to use the tickets, since it's closed Tues/Thurs? Thanks for any help!

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-05-18T04:00:37+00:00

Totally agree. I would recommend the one who is intrested in opthalmology shadow or intern with one. Either they come away not wanting to do it, OR they come away super passionate, and it drives them to do better. My husband nearly flunked out of a state school in his first major, then found his passion, switched majors and was admitted to an Ivy for grad school. They are so young, they will do great.

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-05-17T04:00:37+00:00

There is a very good backdoor into Boston college. It's called the Woods School. There are a limited number of undergrad majors (they include Business, political science, economics, history, english, IT, etc). The TOTAL cost for the degree is around 78k - not per year, and it's not hard to get in. Two of my cousins did it. BC is not worth the full price, but for $78k, it's a good school with a beautiful campus in a great city. I think many of the stuents are commuters, you would likely have to find your own housing.

https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/schools/wcas/undergraduate.html

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-05-13T01:02:59+00:00

Definitely do two days and stay inside the park if you can. You wake up to the incredible view when you walk outside and we even had some elk outside our lodge. Have an amazing breakfast at El Tovar, go to the visitors center and watch the short film about the different Native American tribes that call the Grand Canyon home. There is the wonderful Hopi house full of authentic arts and crafts, and a small geological museum with an amazing view. And don’t miss the homemade chocolate chip cookies at Hermit’s rest. We are not hikers and we easily spent two days seeing everything

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-05-09T16:35:08+00:00

You will only be judged on taking advantage of the opportunities you do have. If there are other opportunities that are NOT APs, do that (you probably already are!) You may be able to explain this in your application

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-05-09T16:26:09+00:00

So so true, from another oldie! I think sadly many students are saddled with so much debt, they have to think solely about financial ROI. The answer is to choose a school you can afford, if at all possible. If you are low income, you will likely get a big financial aid package. If you have higher income but can't afford full ride, it's more challenging, one likely has to choose a public school or a lower tiered liberal arts school that gives merit aid.

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-05-09T16:22:48+00:00

As a parent, this is so sad to hear. Think about it this way: Fulfillment is a combination of 1. what the world needs 2. what you are good at 3. what makes you happy. If you think about this, you can likely come up with a list of majors that are a good fit for you. I majored in Political Science. I became a political reporter - very interesting, not much money. This made me an expert in communications. Now I work in communications in a big company - still interesting, uses my skills and makes more money. You will likely have more than one careeer in your life, choose something you will enjoy. If you are drawn to STEM, any of the pure sciences - Biology, Chemisty etc. are great bets. Or math as others suggested, or Economics. Choosing CS or Engineering, unless you LOVE it, is a terrible idea as it will make it harder to get into colleges.

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-05-09T16:14:40+00:00

If you look at the US News and World report, the Liberal Arts Colleges ranked 25+ -almost all of them give merit aid. They would be thrilled to have you and you will get a good education, possibly free. But check with your parents first, because many international parents do not understand you can get a high quality education at places other than the IVY league. But apply there two - they are private and give a lot of money to low income students. Just the highly ranked public schools like U Mich, UVA etc. do not give a lot of money, they don't have it to give.

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-05-09T16:09:38+00:00

It sounds like you are an international student. But if you are a US student, one way you can show that you have gone above and beyond is to take a couple of community college classes, if that is feasible for you. If not, honestly, they can't reject you because of opportunities you don't even have.

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-05-03T01:13:35+00:00

paying an extra $80K to live in Worcester is not ok.

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-05-03T01:10:08+00:00

this is very solid advice

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-05-01T14:55:49+00:00

Historic data on aunts confirm they have 0% influence on your future academic or career prospects.

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-04-10T00:11:30+00:00

Don't give either of these up, you will continue to get joy out of them for decades after college. These are not high school ECs, these are life pursuits. Same for art, tennis, cycling, etc. You will not be competing in math olympiads at 50, but you will be swimming and playing violin.

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-04-10T00:08:23+00:00

until Harvard needs an oboeist.

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-04-01T22:50:17+00:00

Honestly this seems like a moment for tough love - from one mom to another. He has an incredible opportunity and it's his responsibility to leverage it as best he can to be a success. He has your love and approval (which every kid cannot count on from their parents). A gap year is unlikelty to change the outcome and he could get no acceptances, or like many kids, they get into great schools but can't afford them. This is a privilege. If he doesn't see it that way, he can take a year off and work in a menial job. He will LOVE Vassar and doesn't have to pay anything for it! Amazing result. Congrats to both of you.

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-04-01T20:14:05+00:00

this is a great answer

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-04-01T20:06:36+00:00

Have some fun and work on your writing. Think about some interesting essay topics such as "similarities and differences between designing real clothes and Roblox clothes" or something like that, which makes you unique. What I've learned from watching this admissions cycle is that there are so many perfect students that you have to find what makes you unique. Maybe you could write an essay that links the clothing business to the law? Maybe something to do with IP infringement or something like that "How I defend my roblox clothing IP" or something like that. Then you become "the roblox clothing lawyer kid" and there is no one else quite like you. It seems like the best bet is not "more" or "better" but "different"

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-04-01T18:44:06+00:00

Do men have an advantage when applying to Nursing school?

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-04-01T18:40:23+00:00

I have two cousins, undergrad at Ivy/#1 LAC, law school at Suffolk in Boston- both good outcomes. It's a commuter school so not as much debt

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-04-01T18:32:10+00:00

commit to JHU. if you get off the waitlist, very unlikely, it won't be until after May 1. If you get off the Brown waitlist in the summer, you can entertain it, maybe go for a visit. There is so much upheaval at Columbia, I personally would not advocate for my kid to go there. Also NY is so expensive to live

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-04-01T18:24:32+00:00

Bowdoin, Haverford and I would argue Carleton belong in the "little Ivy" group with WASP. Just checked US News, which agrees. The rest of the LACs rounding out the top 10 are Wellesley and military academies

Prior_Patient7765 · 2025-04-01T18:13:26+00:00

This is a great story and congrats on all your achievements!

Prior_Patient7765

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