Discussion Archive

Question 1:
Hi, I am a senior, and in the next day or so must decide which college to go to. I have it down to Hillsdale College, and the Honors Program at Baylor University. i have been accepted at both, and now must decide, but it is very difficult since I like so much about each of them. So now the main factor i have it down to is which will provide me with the best job out of college, and which degree would go furthest in getting me into a good law school or graduate program. Thanks, Chris. - Chris

Howard and Matthew Greene:
Yes, it's time to choose. Actually, past time (May 1 was the candidate or common reply date). You are looking at two very different institutions, and perhaps that will help you make your decision. One is a large university with major research facilities and a national reputation. It is, of course, in Texas. The other is a small liberal arts college in Michigan with a very particular mission and focus. It is for undergraduates only, and maintains as much independence as it can from the federal and state governments. How you do at either institution will dictate your career and graduate opportunities in the future, so you must consider which college experience will be "better" and more preferable for you. Where will you be happiest and likely to be most successful? What cultural environment will suit you best? We hope that you have visited each place. If you haven't, then you must try. This will be the essential element in helping you decide which environment will suit you best given what you know about yourself at this point in your life. Consider also your academic areas of interest and explore the programs and facilities related to them. The honors program at Baylor will provide you with some additional support and opportunities that can help make a larger institution smaller, so that is a plus to take into account.

Question 2:
Hi I'm a junior with a low GPA around a 3.0, but I do a lot of extracurriculars and volunteer/do internships a lot at hospitals and have a great job at a hospital. I really want to be a doctor and pursue one of the accelerated programs but I'm worried I won't even be considered/looked at. Some of the programs are more selective than others but do I have a chance at all? - JJ

Howard and Matthew Greene:
It sounds like you might do better applying to some smaller colleges that will look more closely at not only your academic classes and performance, but also your volunteer service and activities. At such a college, you might even be more able to maintain that balance going forward, which will help with future medical college applications. Only the very top competitive students are typically admitted to the accelerated medical programs. So, you are better off focusing not only on where you can get in and where you will be happy, but also where you can take the pre-med curriculum and get more As than Bs over your college career. That is the key to building a good foundation for medical college applications.

Question 3:
How much emphasis do schools usually place on SAT Subject Test Scores? If schools require 2 Subject Tests, would it be better to take 3 or 4 in different subject areas just to have a safe base? When colleges say "topic of your choice" is that really an invitation to write about whatever or are there implied boundaries? - Nyamagaga

Howard and Matthew Greene:
If a college requires 2-3 SAT Subject Tests, then they typically place a lot of weight on them. In some instances, we have heard colleges talk about placing equal or even more weight on the Subject Tests than the SAT, since the Subject Tests are seen to test actual content knowledge. We view them equally, and encourage students to take as many Subject Tests as they might be qualified for and in which they can do well. So, if you can take 3-4-5 tests in areas in which you have taken strong academic classes and do well in those tests (say, in the same score range as your SAT), then you should take the tests. The qualifier is that you shouldn't focus too much on testing to the detriment of your classes and grades. Note, you can take Subject Tests well into senior year as part of regular admissions. Topic of your choice is indeed a totally open invitation to write about whatever suits you. Boundaries of decorum, taste, good grammar, relevance to yourself and college admissions, do exist. The idea is to choose a topic and style/approach which will help you show the college something important about you personally.

Howard and Matthew Greene:
This is a very broad field, and typically you would specialize over time in one or another area. Traditionally, we think of forensic science as covering crime scene investigations: blood, chemicals, bullet casings, etc. However, there are subfields focusing on computer science, firearms, documents, and so forth. There are several dozen colleges offering bachelor's degrees in forensics, but it is fine, and perhaps even preferable, to pursue a broader undergraduate degree and then go into a Master's and even Ph.D. program to further your career opportunities. Depending on your skills and preferred direction, you might even pursue a Master's degree in Criminal Justice or a Law degree (JD). As an undergraduate, you would need strong preparation in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Additional work in public policy/law would be helpful. Physical Anthropology is a related field. For more information, explore some college forensics departments, and the web site of the American Academy of Forensic Science, www.aafs.org

Question 5:
i am student of biotechnology. i had completed my bachelor of 3 years only. can i get scholorship in USA by my three years course. Or i have to do post graduate course there. Even so then can i get scholorship in post graduate course. please reply me - deep

Howard and Matthew Greene:
Getting into an advanced degree program with a 3-year bachelor's degree depends on the institution. Some do accept the 3-year international diploma, while others require additional coursework. Yes, you can earn a scholarship, but, again, that depends on the institution. Most internationals in the U.S. pay their own way, or their home countries do. You could earn a research or teaching award to help pay your tuition while you are in school.

Question 6:
Im going to finish grade 11 in a month .Im in a school run by the Sabis Educational System .Im doing 4 IGCSEs and 2 GCE o levels this year and will be taking 7 APs next year.This is my first yera in this school and i will get an A in my report this year as we dont send our GPA to Universities as we dont have that kind of grading .For us 15 to 16 out of 20 is an A and 17 and above an A+.I got a 19out of average in my old school which sends marks and i completed grade 9 and 10 there.My old school followed the Indian Board syllabus and i got 19 out of 20 in my Central Board of Secondary Education ,India Examinations.Now im in a dilemma as i dont know which is more iportant between School average or O levels. Also im pretty sure i will get the highest grades in all my O levels except one wich is an A maybe rather than an A*Will this affect my college application.Can u please rank the following in order of importance SAT 1 ,SAT 2 ,APs ,A levels,O levels,School exams.And just because i get an A for the first in my school transcript than an A+ will i be at a disadvantage .I had to adapt to the new school .Thank u so much for your time. - Joe

Howard and Matthew Greene:
No easy answers here, we're afraid. However, don't get down on yourself for an A or two, as opposed to just A+'s. You're doing great! That's especially true with the school move you have made, which colleges will take into account to some degree (and which you should write about in some fashion in your applications). Most important in admissions is curriculum, and performance in it over time. AP grades, A or O level results, will back up your courses and grades, but some of these won't be available by the time you apply to colleges (for example your AP grades from senior year won't be available until July after you graduate and are already admitted to colleges). SAT and SAT Subject Tests will also show some academic strengths and back up your overall level and the demands of the courses you are taking.

Howard and Matthew Greene:
If you have AP scores available from junior year or prior years, then they can affect admissions decisions. Grades of 3 and above on the five point scale are considered passing and should be sent to colleges. Fours and Fives are obviously preferable, and will typically gain you course credit and/or placement when you arrive at college. Colleges like AP exam results, which are more predictive of college success than just having taken an AP class. These exams are more content oriented and thus show course mastery in a particular academic area. If you scored a one or two, don't send the test. Or, if you didn't take the AP, just move on and don't worry about it. See this as the absence of a positive, rather than the presence of a negative in the admissions process.

Howard and Matthew Greene:
No, usually acceptances are contingent on continued consistent academic performance in your classes, but not on actual AP scores. An exception would be if your high school uses the AP as your final exam grade for the class.