College and jobs

[Pumpkin_Jack]

Hey all its the end of my sophmore year and some colleges are already sending me stuff due to my status, as currently top 5 highest averages in my grade as well as being a boy scout and a tri-sport varsity athlete.

All this information is making me wonder how you all chose your colleges and career paths?

Im focusing on math and science in school and looking at probibly becoming some sort of engineer and attending one of my 2 dream colleges MIT or Cornell. But there are so many interesting engineering firelds, chemical, mechanical, civil, aerospace, nuclear, computer, ect. and I was just wondering how can you choose. And for those who say I have plenty of time 2 years is a short time expecialy if the rest of my years here go as quick as they have thus far.

[Evil_T0NY {CLR}]

Hey all its the end of my sophmore year and some colleges are already sending me stuff due to my status, as currently top 5 highest averages in my grade as well as being a boy scout and a tri-sport varsity athlete.

All this information is making me wonder how you all chose your colleges and career paths?

Im focusing on math and science in school and looking at probibly becoming some sort of engineer and attending one of my 2 dream colleges MIT or Cornell. But there are so many interesting engineering firelds, chemical, mechanical, civil, aerospace, nuclear, computer, ect. and I was just wondering how can you choose. And for those who say I have plenty of time 2 years is a short time expecialy if the rest of my years here go as quick as they have thus far.

Meh, to me a college is just a college. A degree is a degree no matter what college you get it at pretty much.

But hey, good choice of field of study, good demand in that field for work.

[mapes]

I went to the school of hard knocks and transferred to the library...Can't help ya... good luck though

[Trooper110]

Pick what you like, or see if there's an undeclared engineering field so that you can get a feel for many fields before choosing one.

[H0ly-H@nd-Gr3nade]

I just finished my junior year of high school, with a lot of the same qualifications as you (top 10% of my class, lots of extracurriculars, etc). A year ago, after finishing sophomore year, I was pretty much in the same place as you: I really liked my math/science courses, but didn't really know much more. In the fall of our junior year we have a college night where tons of colleges come with booths and whatnot to talk to you about the process. After taking some electives junior year, I narrowed down my major, and finally decided on computer science. I have my college list down to about 7-10 after either visiting the campus or doing lots of research.

You can't really know what you like until you experiment; take as many classes as you can in that field until you find the right place! It sounds to me like you are a very diverse guy - involved in many other activities besides just academics. With that said, you probably want a college with a lot of activities, clubs, and sports teams. That might dash your dreams of Cornell or MIT: 2 schools that focus almost all their attention strictly on academics.

Me (and my college guidance counselor) think I could get into many private schools if I wanted because of my SAT score and grades. However, all 7-10 of the colleges I will be applying to are large state schools because I want Division I sports to follow, intramural sports to play, and a large student body. I currently play select soccer for a pretty competitive team, but don't plan on playing in college - there is another thing I want to get involved with in college (pick up games or something like it) that isn't available at a small private school.

There are so many choices of colleges you shouldn't have to sacrifice anything in picking one. Lastly, and maybe the most important, there is no such thing as a bad college.

[Skud]

Brush up on that spelling, you nut.

[Apache Warrior]

A lot of this years undergraduates, that I talked to, decided to pursue a graduate degree because they are having trouble finding jobs.
Apache

[BigTwinky]

The job market today is really tough. The job market when Jack comes out with a degree may (or may not) be different.

I know people say follow what you like and you'll be happy. While typically true, what you like has to give you some sort of decent job. I have a friend with a few university degrees who is working reception.... not much use for Equine Studies and Japanese these days.

But if you are pursuing engineering, and this is something you WANT to do, then yeah, pick whichever you find is promising, can allow you to have a good life. I know a few engineers who put in insane hours, not allowing them to do much else. Not my choice in lifestyle, life is not just about money. People get too wrapped up in the rat race, owning goods and keeping up with the Jones', but to each their own.


I pretty much learned my job while doing it, with my high school diploma. Not the easiest way to go about things, but it can work, you just have to prove yourself more than the next guy who has that diploma.

There is no right or wrong way to do things.

[Duke{CLR}]

My choice was easy. I wanted to fly and it came down to Daniel Webster in NH or ERAU in Daytona Beach. Guess which one I picked.
I was also fortunate to have been accepted during Xmas break of my senior year so the last half of the year was stress free.

I guess you already know the general field that you want so maybe go the the school that has the most choices for an engineering degree.

[Apache Warrior]

Even Engineering jobs are not always safe. Back in the 1970's there was a glut of Engineering Graduates and a lot of them were unable to find jobs in their chosen field. I new some that had jobs like gas station attendant. (this was well before self serve)
Apache

[Evil_T0NY {CLR}]

The job market today is really tough. The job market when Jack comes out with a degree may (or may not) be different.

I know people say follow what you like and you'll be happy. While typically true, what you like has to give you some sort of decent job. I have a friend with a few university degrees who is working reception.... not much use for Equine Studies and Japanese these days.

But if you are pursuing engineering, and this is something you WANT to do, then yeah, pick whichever you find is promising, can allow you to have a good life. I know a few engineers who put in insane hours, not allowing them to do much else. Not my choice in lifestyle, life is not just about money. People get too wrapped up in the rat race, owning goods and keeping up with the Jones', but to each their own.


I pretty much learned my job while doing it, with my high school diploma. Not the easiest way to go about things, but it can work, you just have to prove yourself more than the next guy who has that diploma.

There is no right or wrong way to do things.

Yeah, there's this one girl I know that was majoring in "Interdisciplinary Studies". I'm unsure why students pursue not so useful degrees.

When I went to college, I know a lot of people went for the Psychology degree too.

[Hammy]

Hey all its the end of my sophmore year and some colleges are already sending me stuff due to my status, as currently top 5 highest averages in my grade as well as being a boy scout and a tri-sport varsity athlete.

All this information is making me wonder how you all chose your colleges and career paths?

Im focusing on math and science in school and looking at probibly becoming some sort of engineer and attending one of my 2 dream colleges MIT or Cornell. But there are so many interesting engineering firelds, chemical, mechanical, civil, aerospace, nuclear, computer, ect. and I was just wondering how can you choose. And for those who say I have plenty of time 2 years is a short time expecialy if the rest of my years here go as quick as they have thus far.

Okay- I respect everything here, but there arent many comments in here that you can apply directly- so here is your answer.

#1 Take a summer course at a Junior College, or when you are a Junior, apply to your High School program to be eligable to take 3 units (1 class equivalent) in a general education class in the field you would like. Do this early as it usually takes approval from the Dean of the Junior College.

#2 Still interested? GREAT! Now you need to start READING about the Colleges you may want to attend. Unlike 10 years ago, you can do this VERY easily. Google News then you type in the college you want to go to and see what you see. Lots of articles about them highlight the credentials as well as the other things like: Overcrowded campuses, political life on campus, and the types of crime they have.

#3 Still good? AWESOME now you should have a list of at least 5 colleges. 1 should be local to your geography and a State Institution- State Universities and State Colleges offer different values and the prices reflect that. So choose wisely. 2 of these colleges should be your top picks, and 2 others should be of next equal value. If you are really aggressive, you should also lob out 2 wild-card applications. The guy who smoked the most pot in my highschool got accepted to an Ivy League School based on his essay and the fact that he had built a computer program that could help soup kitchens better calculate how much food they served and then use that data to calculate food trends against weather and unemployment rates at the time. The guy was a 2.0 student and I dont think he even took the SAT until it became conditional for his acceptance to that university.

#4 Your SAT Scores are going to be your most important asset after your grades and performances in community service or sports. Make sure that you are in those prep classes early and pay attention to them, they are boring as hell but they serve good purpose for points.

#5 The best thing you can do is visit some campuses when it is appropriate. You need to also enlist your parents in helping you make this decision, even if they aren't paying for it. If they arent your educational role model- then who is? Get them involved! Have regular conversations about this, and they too will do research and bring you information.

Hope this helps a bit.

[Apache Warrior]

#4 Your SAT Scores are going to be your most important asset after your grades and performances in community service or sports. Make sure that you are in those prep classes early and pay attention to them, they are boring as hell but they serve good purpose for points.

Take the SAT more than once or twice. Test taking is a skill and the first time taking a new type of test can produce lackluster results. My son took it 3 times and quit because his last score was really good.
Three local girls took it once a year from 8th grade through their senior year in high school. Two got perfect scores of 1600 and the other got a 1595. Of course they have changed the grading system since then.
Good Luck.
Apache

[Pumpkin_Jack]

Okay- I respect everything here, but there arent many comments in here that you can apply directly- so here is your answer.

#1 Take a summer course at a Junior College, or when you are a Junior, apply to your High School program to be eligable to take 3 units (1 class equivalent) in a general education class in the field you would like. Do this early as it usually takes approval from the Dean of the Junior College.

#2 Still interested? GREAT! Now you need to start READING about the Colleges you may want to attend.

#3 Still good? AWESOME now you should have a list of at least 5 colleges.

#4 Your SAT Scores are going to be your most important asset after your grades and performances in community service or sports.

Hope this helps a bit.

Well Cornell and MIT are my dream colleges like I said, they are colleges I can probibly get accepted into but dont know if I can afford, Cornell I love because of its small community and its right on lake seneca I mean talk about a view. I also have Syracuse, and UB in mind. Also looking at maybe taking small cheap college for 2 years in PA in order to qualify for getting a graduate degree at Penn State. I have already met the dean of admissions at Cornell University, he's a great guy I met him through a wrestling camp there, he said I could easily make it in if I maintain my grades and what not like they are, but he doesnt think I could get much economic support do to how well off my family is. Also I have done loads of research on colleges, thats how I have narrowed it down thus far realizing many of the greatest colleges for my interest are in the north eastern united states. (cornell #12 in world for engineering, MIT #2 in world was #1 last year.) I know my SAT score will be a big deal and im working hard already taking a summer coarse to help me prepare for that and for my college and a.p. classes next year(im not taking anymore H.S. classes all are college, still not graduating early this cheaper way). Im also putting a lot of effort into my football and wrestling although it is highly doubtfull i will get a scholarship for sports, in wrestling I placed 3rd at state qualifiers as a sophmore so you never know.
I dont even know what a junior college is :P
And hammy it does help some despit how i put it down

Even Engineering jobs are not always safe. Back in the 1970's there was a glut of Engineering Graduates and a lot of them were unable to find jobs in their chosen field. I new some that had jobs like gas station attendant. (this was well before self serve)
Apache

Enginneering is my current thought doesnt mean that it is for shure what I am going to do. Im just thinking engineer because you spend some time at an air conditioned office, but you dont have to sit in a cubicle going nutz all day. Reason I actualy know about engineers is my Mom(civil), Uncles(computer, chemical, architectual, mechanical), and grandfather(civil) are all or all have been engineers of some sort, and out of all of them 2 of my uncles own their own buisness's and pull in 6 figure salaries for themselves the rest make over 60,000 a year.

I just finished my junior year of high school, with a lot of the same qualifications as you (top 10% of my class, lots of extracurriculars, etc). A year ago, after finishing sophomore year, I was pretty much in the same place as you: I really liked my math/science courses, but didn't really know much more. In the fall of our junior year we have a college night where tons of colleges come with booths and whatnot to talk to you about the process. After taking some electives junior year, I narrowed down my major, and finally decided on computer science. I have my college list down to about 7-10 after either visiting the campus or doing lots of research.

That might dash your dreams of Cornell or MIT: 2 schools that focus almost all their attention strictly on academics.

Me (and my college guidance counselor) think I could get into many private schools if I wanted because of my SAT score and grades. However, all 7-10 of the colleges I will be applying to are large state schools because I want Division I sports to follow, intramural sports to play, and a large student body. I currently play select soccer for a pretty competitive team, but don't plan on playing in college - there is another thing I want to get involved with in college (pick up games or something like it) that isn't available at a small private school.

There are so many choices of colleges you shouldn't have to sacrifice anything in picking one. Lastly, and maybe the most important, there is no such thing as a bad college.

Cornell has a division 1 wrestling and lacross team I went there for a wrestling camp and their coach is amazing noticed things wrong with what I did that my coach(former national winner and went to the olympic tryouts) didnt notice.

Take the SAT more than once or twice. Test taking is a skill and the first time taking a new type of test can produce lackluster results. My son took it 3 times and quit because his last score was really good.
Three local girls took it once a year from 8th grade through their senior year in high school. Two got perfect scores of 1600 and the other got a 1595. Of course they have changed the grading system since then.
Good Luck.
Apache

I am not allowed to take the SAT in 10th grade I asked I was able to take a PSAT which is a simialr exam used to give you an idea of what the SAT will be like and I had a 1420 on it so thats not bad. Yeah but with the rules today I think you only get 3 chances to take the SAT exam, while in HS.

Also will someone please tell me what the ACT exam is for it just confuses me. Says colleges use them like a SAT but in my discussions with adminsions offices I havent heard anything about it.

[Hammy]

I am not allowed to take the SAT in 10th grade I asked I was able to take a PSAT which is a simialr exam used to give you an idea of what the SAT will be like and I had a 1420 on it so thats not bad. Yeah but with the rules today I think you only get 3 chances to take the SAT exam, while in HS.

Also will someone please tell me what the ACT exam is for it just confuses me. Says colleges use them like a SAT but in my discussions with adminsions offices I havent heard anything about it.

BZZT wrong. Kaplans will issue previously used SAT tests to help you test and use the same scoring methodology as was accepted when that test occured.

Trust me on this one. It's a gold mine of knowledge.
I used Kaplan for my LSAT which the exam you use to get into lawschool. My score went from junk to stellar simply by using them to tune myself up and get into the mentality necessary to get the score needed.

In all truthfulness, I scored very high and I could have gone on to a great Law School, but I was burnt out. I am proud, though, to say that I scored in a top percentage on that test, and I blame Kaplan for helping me