30+ on the ACT and 1500 on SAT what to do?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the challenges faced by high school juniors aiming for top colleges like MIT and Cal Tech, particularly those excelling in math and science but struggling with standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. Participants emphasize the importance of pursuing one's passion for subjects like physics and calculus while also preparing for retakes of standardized tests to improve scores. They highlight that many successful mathematicians and physicists come from diverse educational backgrounds, and attending a local college like UIUC can still lead to prestigious graduate programs. The conversation underscores the need to balance academic pressures with personal aspirations.

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  • Understanding of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program
  • Familiarity with standardized testing formats, specifically SAT and ACT
  • Knowledge of college admissions processes for competitive institutions
  • Basic concepts in physics and calculus
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  • Research effective SAT and ACT preparation strategies
  • Explore the International Baccalaureate curriculum and its impact on college admissions
  • Investigate undergraduate programs at UIUC and their pathways to graduate schools
  • Learn about the experiences of successful physicists and mathematicians from non-Ivy League schools
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High school students, particularly those in the IB program, parents seeking guidance on college admissions, and educators advising students on balancing academic pressures with personal interests in math and science.

quantumdoodle
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Hi. I'm currently a IB junior at one of these Not-so-great high schools. And I've been Physics+Math freak ever since I discovered how the world really works from my friend's physics book last year(may be a bit late). Studying IB physics and Calculus right now, hopefully will be able to pass both with 5s by the time of the year, may be even the first 7 ever come out of my school's IB physics class.

I'm seeking advise because the problem is that, although I'm the top of science and mathematic class, I have trouble with reading and writing, which means I'm not a fan of standardized tests. And with my 3.7 Gpa, 1500+100 SAT and 30+2 ACT I'm not going to be able to get accepted into any good colleges like MIT or Cal Tech. So what should I do? keep on studying the physics and calculus that I loved or spend more time on the SAT which I hated to the guts?
 
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First of all, there's no such thing as "being too late" to learn something. You're still a high school student, so a year or two won't really make any difference in the long run.

If you really love math and physics, not being able to get into "MIT or Cal Tech" shouldn't stop you from fulfilling your dream. Many of the great mathematicians and physicists came from undergraduate schools you probably haven't even heard about.

That being said, being a junior, you still have time to prep yourself for a couple more retakes of the SAT (not sure if ACT is retake-able) to get a higher score and make yourself more competitive.

I am in the same situation as you right now; having been a consistent B student in English, IDK if I still have a shot at the big name colleges. But I don't think about the past, what I try to do is think how I can improve my chances by working hard on what's to come, not dwindling on the past.
 
Thanks for the reply...
I have so much to worry about this year, my parents are putting too much pressure on me(I'm asian btw) they think the only way I can be successful is by attending one of the Ivy League Colleges, I don't agree with their way of thinking but I can't argue against them. I especially felt useless when my cousin, who is don't have the slightest interest in math and science, got accepted into the Illinois Math and Science Academy. a lot of people can do good in class and they have passion for something, they just aren't good test takers...
 
quantumdoodle said:
Thanks for the reply...
I have so much to worry about this year, my parents are putting too much pressure on me(I'm asian btw) they think the only way I can be successful is by attending one of the Ivy League Colleges, I don't agree with their way of thinking but I can't argue against them. I especially felt useless when my cousin, who is don't have the slightest interest in math and science, got accepted into the Illinois Math and Science Academy. a lot of people can do good in class and they have passion for something, they just aren't good test takers...

Hey guess what...I'm asian too, and I totally get how you feel. My parents (and my other relatives too) are expecting me to "go to Harvard or Stanford or Puurinsuuton, if not then just to go MIT" like making it into any of those schools is a piece of cake. They feel like if I decide to go to some non-Ivy that I'm a failure.

But hey, that's the least of my concerns right now. I feel like hopefully I can explain it to them when the time comes, but what I can do right now is to do my best.
 
But should I continue the persuit of my dream of becoming a great physicist or a mathematician (aka getting 5 on AP calc and AP physics), or sacrifice some more time to ensure a better SAT?
My parent's been on my back ever since the kid of one of their friend got 2375 on the SAT and accepted into Princeton. I don't know what to say to them, I can't just admit the fact I don't care the slightest bit if someone else get accepted to w/e bigshot college, I mean thay want me to get at least 35 on ACT or 2300 on SAT which is impossible because I came to this country 3 years ago. May be I will just go for a local College like UIUC.
 
quantumdoodle said:
But should I continue the persuit of my dream of becoming a great physicist or a mathematician (aka getting 5 on AP calc and AP physics), or sacrifice some more time to ensure a better SAT?
My parent's been on my back ever since the kid of one of their friend got 2375 on the SAT and accepted into Princeton. I don't know what to say to them, I can't just admit the fact I don't care the slightest bit if someone else get accepted to w/e bigshot college, I mean thay want me to get at least 35 on ACT or 2300 on SAT which is impossible because I came to this country 3 years ago. May be I will just go for a local College like UIUC.

I don't think getting below a 5 would hamper your dreams of being a mathematician; or that getting a 5 will ensure that you will become one. For one thing, I wouldn't mind it if I had to retake calculus in college, it's certainly better than the watered-down "calculus" taught in high schools. And a 5 I believe is somewhere in the 60 percent range, so it's not a hard task. It totally depends on your schedule, and what you want to prioritize.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself. UIUC is a great school. If you want to go there, then go there. Do well in your undergrad. Then get accepted into Harvard or Princeton for your graduate studies, especially that you want to continue into getting a Ph.D. Once you get that piece of paper, it wouldn't matter where you went for your undergrad, whether it's some flagship state school, or to MIT.
 
yeah.. thanks
i feel a lot more confident now... that Ph.D seems a lot closer now
 
thrill3rnit3 said:
I don't think getting below a 5 would hamper your dreams of being a mathematician; or that getting a 5 will ensure that you will become one. For one thing, I wouldn't mind it if I had to retake calculus in college, it's certainly better than the watered-down "calculus" taught in high schools. And a 5 I believe is somewhere in the 60 percent range, so it's not a hard task. It totally depends on your schedule, and what you want to prioritize.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself. UIUC is a great school. If you want to go there, then go there. Do well in your undergrad. Then get accepted into Harvard or Princeton for your graduate studies, especially that you want to continue into getting a Ph.D. Once you get that piece of paper, it wouldn't matter where you went for your undergrad, whether it's some flagship state school, or to MIT.

i don't think princeton accepts transfers.
 
sportsstar469 said:
i don't think princeton accepts transfers.

No one said anything about transfers. 'Going to graduate school' \ne 'transferring schools.'
 

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