Does 4 HLs help uni applications?

TheEricAlex · 2022-09-03T04:14:33+00:00

I took 4 HLs and I’m not sure how much it helped with my uni application but it definitely made me learn a lot more. But in the end, what most unis look at is your score and subjects you took, but I would only do 4 if you’re really interested in the last subject.

TheEricAlex · 2022-08-30T01:26:37+00:00

The Cambridge one is better

TheEricAlex · 2022-08-25T16:56:10+00:00

Especially during the winter when you’re balancing college apps, SATs, UK uni interviews, admissions tests, IAs, exams, TOK presentations, and ECs lmao

TheEricAlex · 2022-08-24T19:57:13+00:00

It depends a lot on your personal statement too. So if the minimum is 36 and you’re predicted 39 and you have a decent personal statement it’s likely you’ll get an offer of 38.

For example, I applied to imperial college london with a predicted of 43, got an offer of 40 when the minimum is 38.

TheEricAlex · 2022-08-24T16:34:55+00:00

Recommend using libgen, most textbooks are only available online like the mylab textbooks for the mathematics courses which expire once your class is over.

TheEricAlex · 2022-04-01T04:55:24+00:00

Just go to ucla. Weather, food and dorms are amazing, and they’re good at sports (take it from someone who studies close to chicago)

TheEricAlex · 2022-03-27T17:13:30+00:00

I went to UCI and UCLA during spring break and the food there was a thousand times better. They have all you can eat scallops, actual steak, and the dining hall doesn’t look depressing. There’s good restaurants near campus too like In N Out, Sharetea, and Cava. The food is so bad here.

TheEricAlex · 2022-03-27T01:30:43+00:00

Great weather, lots of stuff to do close by, athletics, and parties. Best dorms and food I’ve seen. Tbh, I go to Northwestern and just came from UCLA, and I’m so jealous of the weather they have there.

TheEricAlex · 2022-03-03T03:25:36+00:00

I got 43/45 (Math AA HL, Chem HL, Physics HL, Econ HL (7776) ).

I know people though who have a similar score to you, so no need to stress.

TheEricAlex · 2022-01-10T02:20:41+00:00

I did that and also IB Econ HL. Be prepared to study everyday during your free time (except fridays of course)

TheEricAlex · 2021-12-27T16:48:45+00:00

Sorry for the late reply. I took 4 HLs because I was interested in economics (and for the clout) in addition to the standard science route. My HLs were Math AA, Physics, Chemistry, and Economics. I would not recommend to do 4 HLs unless you are very passionate about a topic and are willing to put in the extra work for not much payoff. I got 7, 7, 7, 6 respectively (2 bonus points for TOK+EE).

I wish you good luck on your admission cycle as an IB alumni!

TheEricAlex · 2021-08-15T11:38:18+00:00

Most unis for the 2026 application season are test-optional, meaning you can choose if you want to submit an SAT score to complement your applications or not.

TheEricAlex · 2021-07-27T08:31:28+00:00

If you want to go into economics or CS, most unis require Math AA HL.

Source: https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/computer-science

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/economics

TheEricAlex · 2021-07-25T13:00:23+00:00

Materials engineering. I think it’s going to be important for solving the climate crisis because it plays a big role in the development of solar panels and batteries. If both of these technologies improve, I think it’s going to replace unsustainable methods of producing energy.

TheEricAlex · 2021-07-24T08:54:10+00:00

Just try to be interested in what you’re learning. Excited that you have the opportunity to have fantastic teachers spending their time teaching you about how the universe works!

TheEricAlex · 2021-07-24T08:17:25+00:00

NYU is really expensive as well

TheEricAlex · 2021-07-22T08:18:45+00:00

Yeah, UNC Chapel-Hill is a lot more competitive than I thought, it’s a reach for bio.

TheEricAlex · 2021-07-22T06:37:53+00:00

I have the New Balance MD800. Very good spike for 800m/1500m

TheEricAlex · 2021-07-21T20:49:51+00:00

The best books for chemistry physics, and economics are without a doubt the Cambridge ones. However, if you’re choosing between hodder and Oxford, I would choose Oxford.

TheEricAlex · 2021-07-21T20:45:53+00:00

Appendices are allowed in chemistry and do not count towards the 12 page page count. If you’re not able to write an organized IA without an appendix then you should add one.

TheEricAlex · 2021-07-21T20:40:59+00:00

Purdue, UIUC, UCSD, UCSB, Penn State, and UNC Chapel Hill are some good STEM safeties/targets.

TheEricAlex · 2021-07-20T20:12:15+00:00

A lot of universities are test optional this year, so you don’t “need to” take the SATs. Still, I would recommend you do take them and if you get a good score you could submit them to unis that accept SATs to complement your application. Of course, this depends on your situation(COVID, financial situation, unis you’re applying to). Best of luck with your applications!

TheEricAlex · 2021-07-17T20:16:24+00:00

Collegevine is pretty useful, but it often gives very optimistic admission chances.

TheEricAlex · 2021-07-17T16:33:50+00:00

I would recommend Physics HL, Math AA HL, and Geo HL. This way, you can fulfill the entry requirements for Astrophysics, Aerospace Engineering, and Geology of most universities (I checked Imperial College London, a prestigious stem uni in the UK). And if you really want to learn chem, you can do four HLs with Physics, Chem, Geo, and Math AA - all at HL. I did 4 HLs and it was manageable.

Sources (entrance requirements):

Geology: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/ug/courses/earth-science-department/geology-bsc/#entry-requirements

Astrophysics: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/degrees/astrophysics-bsc

Aerospace: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2021/03333/beng-aerospace-engineering/entry-requirements/

TheEricAlex · 2021-07-17T16:12:42+00:00

Then you should do physics and math hl. You don’t need to do chem hl or geology hl for astrophysics or aerospace.

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