u/Randomacc1234567891

Would taking CC summer classes provide some sort of admission boost?

For context, I go to a small religious school with barely any AP courses. My (new) school literally prohibited me from self studying more than one AP (super weird, they thought self studying more than one would really impact my grades other classes?) In hindsight, I wished I pushed even more or circumvented that, because now I’m a rising senior and I’ve been told that self studying AP courses senior year provide no admission boost.

So, this brings me to my question: would it be worth it to take online asynchronous summer classes through my local community college? Would taking 2-3 gen eds provide an admission boost? If so, how big? These classes cost 1,000-1,500 just for 3-4 credit courses…so id like to hear others thoughts on this

Demographics: White, Female, All-girls religious school

SAT: 1380 (Will hopefully retake and score ~1450) If I do not reach >/= 1450, I’ll definitely cut down on my reaches list bc admission is unlikely.

GPA: 97/100. School doesn’t do weighted.

Course rigor: took most rigorous courses school offered (not a lot) Bio, lit, APES (self-study)

Intended major(s): public health, environmental science, biology. May apply with a major that fits my ECs better like elementary education for some schools?

ECs (briefly)

DSP for intellectually and developmentally disabled children in summertime and full time summer respite programs. 9th grade-present

In the process of planting ~50 flower pots and planning on distributing them to children’s hospitals

School newspaper science head

Wrote and delivered 50+ letters to seniors across NYS

Lots of other random community service volunteering

Awards:
Some random college board school thing
AP scholar

Reaches:
Cornell (CALS. Possibly HumEc if admission chances are really higher.)
CWRU
Wellesley
Smith
Tulane
WashU

I know it’s not looking too bright. I’m hoping on getting my SAT up and maybe I’ll have a shot at CWRU and Smith with a higher score? Not sure about the others though. I would appreciate an honest prediction; where can I get in (assuming I get my SAT score up?)

Demographics: White, NYS resident, All-girls Jewish school.

Hook: Closeted Lesbian w/ religious community generally against LGBT? (Not sure if this matters, lol)

GPA: 97/100, SAT: 1380 (Retaking in September + October bc August is full)

Intended major: Biology, Agriculture, Plant Sciences, Environmental Science. For some schools, I may apply to majors that fit my ECs if all freshman go in undecided anyway so possibly sociology?

Career: MD, science research…still unsure
__________________________
ECs (briefly)

-DSP for children with developmental and intellectual disabilities in Sunday and summertime respite programs, full time.

-Horticulture: DIY Nursery/Garden with plants native to my state. Planning on giving plants to hospitals for children in need.

-School Newspaper Science Section

-School wide Assembly Head

-Informal peer math + science tutoring

-literary arts journal featured at school
__________________________

Now, here is my list:

Reaches:
Cornell (CALS) <—Grandparents met @ Cornell
Barnard
CWRU
Wellesley
Smith

Targets/High Targets:
UPitt
Stony brook (may apply thru SUNY portal)
Binghamton (SUNY portal)
University of Rochester

Safeties:
University of Buffalo (SUNY portal)
SUNY Geneseo (SUNY portal)
UAlbany (SUNY portal)
Umass Amherst
ASU

PS. Will apply during SUNY free week—that’s why SUNY look “excessive”

Please rate my list and suggest targets or other schools that would be a good fit

Demographics: White, NYS resident, All-girls Jewish school.

Hook: Closeted Lesbian w/ religious community generally against LGBT? (Not sure if this matters, lol)

GPA: 97/100, SAT: 1380 (Retaking in September + October bc August is full)

Intended major: Biology, Agriculture, Plant Sciences, Environmental Science. For some schools, I may apply to majors that fit my ECs if all freshman go in undecided anyway so possibly sociology?

Career: MD, science research…still unsure
__________________________
ECs (briefly)

-DSP for children with developmental and intellectual disabilities in Sunday and summertime respite programs, full time.

-Horticulture: DIY Nursery/Garden with plants native to my state. Planning on giving plants to hospitals for children in need.

-School Newspaper Science Section

-School wide Assembly Head

-Informal peer math + science tutoring

-literary arts journal featured at school
__________________________

Now, here is my list:

Reaches:
Cornell (CALS)
Barnard
CWRU
Wellesley
Smith

Targets/High Targets:
UPitt
Stony brook (may apply thru SUNY portal)
Binghamton (SUNY portal)
University of Rochester

Safeties:
University of Buffalo (SUNY portal)
SUNY Geneseo (SUNY portal)
UAlbany (SUNY portal)
Umass Amherst
ASU

PS. Will apply during SUNY free week—that’s why SUNY look “excessive”

Please rate my list and suggest targets or other schools that would be a good fit

I’m a rising senior, so I’m short on time.

I’m trying to find + fulfill meaningful ECs myself,
So my question is—anyone have easy EC ideas that still align with my intended major? Doesn’t have to be anything insane, literally any ideas big or small would be appreciated

Ps. I made a post like this in the past and am currently taking those ideas to find ECs but again, more would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Intended major: Enviornmental Science, possibly agriculture? May decide to pivot to public health if that fits my ECs better?

My ECs aren’t great, so I’d appreciate constructive feedback!

Here are a list of my ECs; I’ll try to keep it brief:

1. Direct Support Professional (4 years) (Strongest EC IMO; also takes up all of my time:,)
   -work in summertime and Sunday respite programs for children with developmental disabilities

2. Monthly Assembly Head at old school (2 years)
   -coordinated and led school wide assemblies monthly

3. School newspaper STEM head @ new school (1 year)
   -curated and write stem content for school newspaper, explain educational STEM content in an easy-to-understand way

4. Garden project (2 years)
   -plant and nurture flower, fruit, +vegetable species native to my state

-plan to give flowers to children in hospitals + distribute them to more nonprofits + such

5. Informal math and science tutoring (4 years)
   -tutor peers in subjects across science and math

6. Packed boxes for organization that delivers food boxes secretly to those in need (went ~5 times)

7. Helped prepare food for organization that provides free, healthy food to those in hospital (again, ~5 times, maybe a bit more but did a lot each time.)

PLANNED ECs (NOT confirmed yet, just plans)

8. Student Representative next year (school picks + I’m being hopeful)

9. Volunteer outreach work for environmental sustainability walk: possibly this summer? (this is not finalized yet. Hopefully this one works out bc this can be a strong activity🤞)

10. YouTube Channel interviewing real scientists??
    -really want to do this (not even for apps, just for fun) but I’m scared it will flop and look super embarrassing lol

11. Submit poems abt environment to competitions, raising environmental awareness +combining my love for science + poetry

My school said to only request one teacher…but Google says most schools require two teacher recs AND guidance counselor? Is this true? Do I email teachers over the summer?

I go to a religious, all-girls school where the Judaic studies (Jewish/religious studies) curriculum is very rigorous. That said, I have 3 Bs in religious classes: 1 Freshman year, 2 Junior year. How cooked am I?

I have all As in my core/non-religious classes if that matters.

Also, religious classes do not show up as “theology.” The classes I have to take are not universal, and are specific to Jewish schools.

I would love to get everyone’s honest opinion on this!

See title. Can’t get research—got ghosted by one professor, other one was retired. I’m afraid it’s too late now. I’m going to try to volunteer at beach cleanups…but that isn’t exactly impressive. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Anyone remember this question?

69/80 MCQ
FRQ 1- 10/10
FRQ 2- 8/10
FRQ 3-2/10

Any hope for a 5?