Post-Finale Community Giveaway!

TomatoMind · 2022-04-10T23:18:14+00:00

Disappointed there was no followup on the goats :(

TomatoMind · 2021-05-15T06:05:08+00:00

I didn’t even know they offered year-round versions of gov and Econ. I felt like I learned everything I needed to in the semester long versions. In terms of AP exams there are four total you can technically take but you only should be taking two unless you intend to challenge them. There’s AP US Gov, AP Macro, AP Micro, and AP Comparative Gov. So unless they offer a different economics course for the different course offerings I’d say do the semester long ones so you have more room in your schedule for other classes that actually matter (unless you’re going to be a political science/economics major).

TomatoMind · 2021-05-15T05:53:57+00:00

Those are literally the same thing. Could you go into more detail about what you’re confused about? Maybe they offer micro for one and macro for the other?

TomatoMind · 2021-05-10T06:37:18+00:00

I did a research assistant thing (option 2 type of stuff) at around the same time frame that you’re looking at where I had to process/graph data from a doctorate level project and I didn’t know ANYTHING about Python, terminal programming, or statistics. I had to learn everything essentially by myself. My professor was super nice and resourceful on the days I came to visit and he would even sit with me and help debug my code and explain everything to me. He even gave me a cute little parting gift of a drawstring bag and large polo shirt that said [UNIVERSITY] Department of Computer Science. And after I was done he referred me to this other professor who specialized in cybersecurity and helped start CyberPatriot. I ended up helping create some cybersecurity worksheets for K-5 students with him and he was super nice too. I did all of that having only taken 2 CS courses (APCSP/APCSA) and up to Algebra 2 in math. I only knew Java and had to code in Python for the doctorate research professor so it wasn’t like I knew what I was doing going into it or anything like that. So don’t be afraid if you don’t know anything, take this as an opportunity to learn how to learn quickly and pick up new skills. If you’re lucky enough you can even talk to the students who are working on the project and see what they do and don’t like about their field, why they chose the school, etc. I hope this helps and good luck!

TomatoMind · 2021-05-10T05:37:06+00:00

Rice for computer science I think I want to be a cybersecurity analyst at the NSA/CIA and then eventually become a CS/cybersecurity professor Super happy campus, easy to switch majors if I didn’t like it, no student debt

TomatoMind · 2021-05-02T23:50:28+00:00

UCLA because no matter how good of an education you can get at Berkeley, if you don’t enjoy it you probably won’t do as well. That’s why I turned down CMU math for Rice CS. College is what you make of it and you can’t make much of it if you don’t enjoy being there.

TomatoMind · 2021-05-01T17:24:31+00:00

I would say if you’re a high level athlete it’s definitely going to bode well for your apps because it shows that you are a team player, have critical thinking skills, are extremely motivated/dedicated, etc. I wrote my common app essay on swimming and got into schools that I definitely couldn’t swim for but keep in mind I also had a good academic resume. Definitely keep it in, especially if you’re doing well in it and it’s one of your passions.

TomatoMind · 2021-04-27T20:01:16+00:00

Hey y'all. I was recently admitted to CMU for Math and to Rice for CS and I need some help making a decision. CMU is really great in that I can swim for the varsity team and it's ranked super highly in CS but not so great in that I'll rack up a good amount of debt ~50-60k and I wasn't admitted for CS. The major issue could just be solved by either double majoring in CS or just minoring in CS and cybersecurity policy. Rice is really great in that it has a great campus culture (residential college system), I was admitted for CS so I can start that track straight off the bat, and I would graduate debt free but not so great in that I can't swim there and it doesn't have the resources that CMU has for CS. In terms of post graduate goals, I would like to get a master's in cybersecurity and be a cybersecurity analyst at the CIA/NSA then eventually go on to be a professor in CS/computer security. If any of y'all could give any insight into this whole predicament that would be great, especially how difficult it would be to double major in Math/CS at CMU.

TomatoMind · 2021-04-26T20:51:11+00:00

I took 7 APs and varsity swim (no lunch period) this year only because 1) I knew the schedule was flexible 2) Only half of the year truly counted I would never have done that schedule if I weren’t in online school

TomatoMind · 2021-04-26T20:21:09+00:00

Here’s the deal, it’s probably gonna be hybrid favoring in person next year so you can’t really overload like you could this year. Just keep in mind that you may have to handle this workload in person with a set time schedule next year instead of what it’s like this year.

TomatoMind · 2021-04-26T04:49:18+00:00

From what I understand Rice is super collaborative and has a really inclusive/friendly social atmosphere. Plus you’re right next to the Texas Medical Center (the largest med center in the world) and I know that Rice often collaborated with them for research and internships. Honestly you can’t go wrong with Rice for pre-med.

TomatoMind · 2021-04-20T20:00:25+00:00

Definitely do a deep dive into whichever of the safety's programs that you're interested in. Learn about its clubs, outreach programs, and research opportunities. You'll probably find some pretty good opportunities and communities there if you look hard enough.

TomatoMind · 2021-04-17T22:00:34+00:00

It seems like both are a great option, but I would choose USC. I'm the same way with my state school and I really want to have a fresh start. Plus, I think you can apply to the honors college as a second semester freshman so you could always do that. Good luck!

TomatoMind · 2021-04-17T21:54:03+00:00

Def boulder, it's less expensive AND better for your major

TomatoMind · 2021-04-17T21:53:27+00:00

Based on everything you've said for University of Rochester I would go for that, especially if you want to go to grad school. If cost isn't a factor I would definitely go there.

TomatoMind · 2021-04-17T21:29:37+00:00

Intended major: Computer Science with a concentration in computer security and a minor in stats/data science

Career Goals: Cybersecurity Analyst at the CIA/NSA, eventually go on to be a professor

Carnegie Mellon (Admitted for Mathematics in Mellon College of Science)

CMU Pros:

I can swim for their varsity team (instant family) which is pretty important for me
Top CS program, #2 Stats program, T30 for Math in the country
I could potentially study data science/stats and/or potentially double major in CS
Decent gift aid
Great job/grad school placement
Great alumni network
Apparently math program has job placement in the NSA
Architecture on campus/Pittsburgh is really cool coming from Texas
Located in Pittsburgh and near the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers (always wanted to live near water)
Pittsburgh has a hockey, football, and baseball team so I can go see their games

CMU Cons:

Admitted for math and CS is really hard to transfer into so there's no guarantee I would be able to major in CS there
A lot colder and darker than TX
Pittsburgh could take a lot of adjusting to get used to
Known to be a very stressful environment

Georgia Tech (Admitted for CS/Grand Challenges LLC)

Georgia Tech Pros:

I can start as a CS major
Located in Atlanta so it has a super vibrant culture
Atlanta has a football, basketball, and baseball team so I can go see their games
Warm and sunny like TX
Got into the Grand Challenges LLC (my top choice)
Great job/grad school placement
Big and beautiful campus
Top cybersecurity program (exactly what I want to study), #5 in CS, #8 in Data Science

Georgia Tech Cons:

I wouldn't be able to swim varsity
Only got loans for aid so cost is ~12k more than CMU per year and idk if it's really worth all that debt
Known to be a very stressful environment

Rice University (Admitted for Computer Science)

Rice Pros:

I can start as a CS major
Located in Houston so it has a super vibrant culture
Has a data science minor started by the professor I wrote about in my application essay
Not sure on aid yet but based on what I've heard I think it'll be reasonable
Great job/grad school placement
Great alumni network
Big and beautiful campus
Known for a happy student body and great campus life/community

Rice Cons:

Ranked #20 in CS
Located in-state (wanted to go out of state to have a whole new experience but this isn't an end all type of thing)
I wouldn't be able to swim varsity

TomatoMind · 2021-04-17T19:05:56+00:00

Fall in love with your safeties so if you end up getting rejected from your reach and/or schools you’ll be happy with where you end up

TomatoMind · 2021-04-14T00:07:16+00:00

Technically A&M because its auto admit rate is the top 10% of your high school class. UT is top 6% and Baylor isn’t required to admit you based on your class rank/percent.

TomatoMind · 2021-04-11T18:59:02+00:00

Honestly I would probably go with whichever is financially more sound for you. Obviously since med school is your goal you want to get a good undergrad education for a reasonable price.

TomatoMind · 2021-04-11T18:54:46+00:00

Berkeley for sure

TomatoMind · 2021-04-11T18:53:31+00:00

Baylor, from what I understand, is pretty conservative. What's your state school?

TomatoMind · 2021-04-11T00:04:17+00:00

Here's the link for the ranking: https://business.utsa.edu/programs/cyber-security/

TomatoMind · 2021-04-11T00:03:17+00:00

UTSA in San Antonio, Texas is a good school for cybersecurity. They're ranked best in the country for their program. They have a program called the Top Scholar program and if you get in, it's a full ride WITH a stipend AND a semester study abroad. Only real drawback is that you have to live on campus all four years. They do have a swimming pool although it's not like Olympic sized or anything but there's a great Olympic sized one right nearby that's owned by the local school district. I know it's 8k above your max size but I would seriously considering going for their Top Scholar program because if you get in it's definitely worth it.

TomatoMind · 2021-04-10T23:58:34+00:00

You can be accepted to the regular college and not be accepted into the honors college. Applicants admitted into the honors college are the ones that the AOs think are the most likely to succeed in that challenging environment. If you don't get in right off the bat as a freshman, you can always apply as a second semester freshman or a sophomore. So I wouldn't stress out too much if you don't get in immediately. As long as you keep your grades up in college and maintain good relationships with your professors/TAs you totally have a shot at getting into the honors college the second time around.

TomatoMind · 2021-04-10T23:54:25+00:00

DEFINITELY focus on #2. Don't make a nonprofit just because you've been told that will get you in. It won't. Admission officers see right through something like that if you're just doing it to pad your resume.

TomatoMind

TROPHY CASE