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Currently a high school junior in the US. Thus, I'm underway in the college search process.
I plan on going to law school after I get a bachelor's degree in something. I don't know exactly what yet. I liked World History (AP) and US History is ok (world affairs and conflicts are more interesting), so I'm thinking about majoring in something like History, International Relations, or Global Policy. What do you guys think? Anyone thinking about doing the same, have done the same, or are currently doing the same?
So - finding a good college. I've talked to people, but mainly used collegeboard.com and princetonreview.com to narrow the search, plus each college's website. The big issue for me is finding the best college (academics) that I have a good chance of getting into. Here's some of my academic record:
GPA: ~4.3-4.4 out of 4.5, my school uses a weird system
Rigor: difficult classes, AP classes, no slacking
SAT: 730 reading, 720 math, 540 essay (eew i screwed it up hahaha, I had no idea what I was doing, I'm pretty sure when I retake the SAT ill do much better on the essay)
Subject tests: plan on taking mathII, world history, and something else (either us history or physics)
ACT: haven't taken it yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll score high (around a 30)
How "good" of a school can I get into??
I know getting into a college isn't based just on academics alone, but it's important.
I've found Carnegie Mellon University to be one of my choices, since it offers majors that I want to pursue, it's not too far from home (I live in NY), and it's student body seems to fit my academic profile.
I've also thought about going to college outside the US. Possibly in Europe (most likely the UK). What's your opinion? How do the schools there compare to those in the US? Will it be difficult to get in compared to schools in the US?
 
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Depends where you live. Baylor University and Texas Tech University both are excellent prestigious schools with Law schools in them. I've always been told that it is easier if you're coming from the college that you're trying to go to graduate school at. I'm planning on going into the Medical field and that is what all the counselors and "mentors" have been telling me anyways.
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It doesn't matter what school you go to, it matters how well you do!
nah just kidding, you either get into MIT or you fail in life.
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CA10832 Posts
if you're into IR go to georgetown or usc
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United States22883 Posts
What major?
When you go on your visits, make sure you schedule an interview of some kind and impress them.
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most likely major in international relations (or similar, some colleges have it as a different name), possibly history.
georgetown seems tough to get into; do you think i have a chance?
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Get those numbers up first.
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why do u call university college? they are totally different..
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Korea (South)11598 Posts
Vaanelo in general, americans tend to call colleges and universties the same thing in everyday language like, "what college do you go to?" as opposed to, "do you go to university/college?"
idk it's just something americans do.
Just take tours of where you think you have a good chance of getting in, and find what you like the most along with the academics you want.
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I wouldn't say they're "totally different," more like they're similar in some ways but they have their differences. In the US colloquial language, college pretty much means "the place you go after high school to get a degree and learn shit," which is indeed what I'm searching for.
I understand what you're saying though, and it's the laziness on my part to differentiate the two in the OP.
u·ni·ver·si·ty
an institution of learning of the highest level, having a college of liberal arts and a program of graduate studies together with several professional schools, as of theology, law, medicine, and engineering, and authorized to confer both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Continental European universities usually have only graduate or professional schools.
col·lege
1. an institution of higher learning, esp. one providing a general or liberal arts education rather than technical or professional training.
2. a constituent unit of a university, furnishing courses of instruction in the liberal arts and sciences, usually leading to a bachelor's degree.
According to dictionary.com, my search is for either one, since I have considered both colleges and universities.
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United States20665 Posts
With a 4.3, 2400, a bunch of 800s/780s, 7 5s and a 4, a good # of Captaincy/Presidencies of various clubs/organizations, academic awards etc, I was rejected from GTown 
Apply anyway, though.
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Hey, I also need some help. Do you guys know anything about RPI? I'm interested in that shcool and it seems like a good fit for me but I don't know about it's national reputation with employers.
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CA10832 Posts
On April 18 2008 06:59 ieatkids5 wrote:
most likely major in international relations (or similar, some colleges have it as a different name), possibly history.
georgetown seems tough to get into; do you think i have a chance?
i don't know about georgetown, but judging from LR's post, it'll be tough. you definitely have to raise your essay grade to 700+, and make sure all your SAT subject tests are 700+ as well.
after that it's pretty much a crapshot.
as for USC, you probably have a decent chance of getting in. just be warned that the average (50% mark) SAT score is over 2100 now for USC, and pretty much everyone that i know here had above a 4.0 weighted GPA.
it really comes down to your essays and extracurriculars.
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yeah, im pretty sure i can get a 2100 on the SAT - my current score is like 1990 because i screwed up the essay (got a 540 bleh), but i'm retaking it in october, so I'll raise that grade, plus reading and math.
last romantic - holy crap you got those grades and got rejected?? im scared
eh, are there any colleges that are easier to get into, but still do very well in undergrad programs/academics?
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Come to UPenn. It's awesome at everything.
In all seriousness, though, visit as many schools as possible, sit in on some classes (all you do is have to e-mail a professor and ask ahead of time) and ask as many questions as possible. Fit is way more important that the perceived "prestige" of a school.
Also, I would highly recommend applying to a school under an early policy. It increases your chances of getting in, and you can't put a price on the 5 extra months of piece of mind.
Your SATs do put you in the range for most top schools, you should probably retake it though to get your writing score up. If you don't want to retake it, you may want to consider Georgetown as an option because I know that they don't take your writing score into account. But remember, SATs and grades don't really mean anything. Basically every applicant has good grades/test scores. It's how you present your ECs and your story that will get you in to a school.
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thanks for the advice guys, i really appreciate this input
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EPT
