I think because a lot of us are young, there should be a college help thread. I assume most of you want to go to College, so lets start out with my question.

My GPA is a 3.8 Junior year. I want to get into this Music Production or Business program at NYU. My SAT is just under their average - but Im taking it again and the ACT because its easier.

For senior year a lot of people usually dont take ANY classes, while some take a lot to look good for college. My school is small and doesnt have that many AP or any Honors classes, but Ive taken all AP they have and every academic class.
Right now my schedule is: English, Economics (turns into Government second semester), AP Literature, and Calculus.

I could also take an elective on Immigration. Now heres where I need help. If I dont take the elective, I can sleep in till 3rd period and get rest. I need it because I have so much work + studying.

If I keep it, it could look good for colleges. Do you think I need to keep it, or are those 4 - pretty academically challenging classes - enough?

I'm so glad I'm done with college.

Unless your college is very competitive, electives don't really matter. As long as you meet the basic criteria you're good. People freak out over getting into college, but it's honestly not very challenging.

Keep it. You can sleep when you're dead.

First off, mad props on maintaining such a great GPA!!!

I don't know if I would stress over an elective. These are all great questions that I would take to the guidance counselor at your school, but it seems to me that you're already taking on quite a load for your senior year -- something most seniors in high school will NOT be doing, let me assure you. I think you should be fine giving yourself a slight break, as long as you rock the other four classes.

I just don't see a prestigious school like NYU bouncing you because you dropped Immigration. Best of luck though, and try to enjoy this exciting time in your life -- and get ready for four of the best years ever! (especially if you're in NYC!!!!!)

PS -- For the ACT, make sure you spend some time preparing for that science section. The ACT is markedly easier than the SAT but the science section really gets some people.

It's all about time management, concentration, procrastination and anxiety.

Physics help please.

Yeah I don't think we can say college entrance and college itself is easy.

The biggest problem kiddos face is the time management. They're no longer in high school and such newfound freedom is overwhelming. It's so easy to blow off classes and such. I'm a university lecturer as well and I see my students struggle with keeping up with the curriculum. Many complain it's "too much work."

When I was in grad school, I finally learned to manage my time efficiently. I missed the 4.0 though by ONE lousy B. :/.

If I pursue the PhD program, I will need a LOT of help.

And anyway, do what you need to maintain your GPA. Many jobs look at your undergraduate record specifically for the GPA. With the Master's, GPA is a non-factor.

Thank you SO MUCH! I actually already live in NYC, but I love it!

Ok, Ill do that for the ACT. And I will be talking to my guidance counselor tomorrow!

Undergrad came pretty easy to me, and I had 2 majors. Grad school on the other hand was HELL. I'll never do it again, and if I could go back and I wouldn't go.

I may get a PhD in the future, but it'd be for me only.

Thank you sis!

If your in Senior year, and you are taking an AP class for every class, that might be a little much!

Sis, the best thing you could do is to take it.


If you do poorly, it could hurt your GPA, but it will give you an even better idea of what you could be facing in college. You should push yourself out of your comfort zone/boundaries so that you can do the following:

1. Learn what your boundaries/limits are so that you don't over load yourself in the future, hindering yourself when it counts much more than just a high school gpa.
2. Have an opportunity to grow, learn more time management, etc,..

Oh, and another bit of advice, avoid ATRL like the plague. Takes too much time away. It really does.

The problem I had with grad school is the fact that I already had a full-time job and going half-time. It was all but impossible to read 100-200 pages a week. Believe me when I say it's sweet and rewarding to go down the procession line after all that work.

PhD is not for everyone. I don't want to do it at this point. I'm not matching my fiance's level (two Master's and a PhD).

I was injured and had to miss my graduation ceremony for graduate school. It was heartbreaking to spend all that time, blood, sweat and tears and not get that moment of reward, as petty as it sounds.

But when I look at my degrees I feel proud of myself, so it's worth it.

Well I'm in college now. I want to transfer to either Alabama or NYU. I want to be come either a radio news talk host, or a music journalist. Right now I'm thinking of switching my majors because I dont think Mass Communications is the right fit for me, in plus if and when I transfer (depends on how I do this semester and scholarships) I want to be prepared. I'm also thinking about my plan for grad school.

Honestly, start applying for scholarships early and focus on your grades. That was my biggest problem. My grades stopped me from getting full rides because they were just average. Also, do not limit yourself to just the SAT. My ACT scores got me into alot of the colleges I applied for, also take them more than once, it gives you a better chance of getting in if your grades arent above average. Yours are, so you shouldnt have to worry about that but do make sure you keep them up.

Also, time management is important when you go to college. Self explanatory. Also, make sure you choose the best fit college FOR you. If youre really digging music, I suggest maybe berkley or AMDA. These schools generally only focus on music subjects and rarely if not NONE AT ALL on liberal arts and subjects of that nature. good luck.

This... nor does a lot of the **** you do in college really matter when you graduate. At the end of the day, it's all about who you know and what kind of experience you have. I'm in my senior year in college and during both of my internships so far they didn't even care what my major was... as long as I graduated.

Thank you. I am also applying for Berkley for Music Production, but thats easier to get into than NYU. I am FOR SURE taking the ACT because my SAT was in the 1700's and NYU needs in the 1800's. I am taking the SAT again, but I already know I can probably get in the ACT NYU average.

The thing is, I KNOW that the most important thing for me is sleep. I've always needed a lot of sleep. I can get 10 hours of sleep and still be tired. Especially since Ive been growing a lot and stressed, I get sick much easier and I NEED it to focus on my already hard classes.

I can't wait to graduate already. I'm currently a Junior in college.

Degree fields mostly don't matter...mostly. The skills you learn in college and connections you make are what get you hired. A degree shows a lot more than classes taken.