#act help

I’m taking the act test Saturday and I’m doing the writing portion too but I don’t know how I should write it. One of my teachers said I should pick one of the three perspectives that’s closest to mine and write each of the three body paragraphs with a different example for why that perspective works.

For example she gave us a practice act prompt that was about failure and success. There were of course three perspectives. I choose the one that said success can come from failure and so the three body paragraphs were each a different example of failure turning into success.

So when I was a Junior/Senior i remember freaking out about what college I wanted to go to and what I wanted to be and whatever

NOW I know I want to be an educator and help teens through this time because I remember how stressful this process was.

So here’s a 10 Tip thread I made for Jr/Seniors in HS who plan on applying to college

Look first of all, let me just say a disclaimer: I am not a college admissions person, this was just my experience with the California’s college application system.

So in my experience: I had the luxury of applying to 10 colleges (8 pub, 2 Priv) all in California #blessfeewaivers

The schools I applied to all ranged from prestigious to average but most of them happened to be my safety schools.

I wanted to point this out bc that was one of the things you SHOULDN’T DO when applying to college.

Don’t doubt yourself

When applying to college, many people get too caught up on rankings and whether they can get in the college or not.

And I was the same way. I even made a list

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p>When I was applying to college the main factors I looked for in a school were:

Prestige

Size of school

Weather

WOKE OR NOT

Difficulty to get in

How far was it from home

Etc

So make a list of what you want in a college. Especially if you want to dorm. You know what you want whether it be a school by the beach, or a school in a large city etc

Colleges won’t fit everything on your list, but if they do, congratulations you have found your dream school.

Apply to dream schools even if your dream school is insane to get into or it’s far away or whatever, apply to it!!

DREAM SCHOOLS DO NOT HAVE TO BE THE BEST SCHOOLS, THEY ARE NOT SYNONYMOUS ALTHOUGH THEY SOMETIMES CAN BE

Your dream school is the place you feel like you’d flourish AND fits the criteria you have set for yourself

Nobody should ever make you feel ashamed of your dream school because in the end if you get in you’ll be happy

Also, apply to places even if you doubt you’ll get in. They may not be your dream school but they might turn out to be.

You’ll have a better chance of getting in if you apply compared to the literal 0 chance you’ll have if you don’t apply.

Just have the guts to apply to your “dream school” or a school you really like aight.

But also realize that if you’re applying to less that 5 schools, then maybe you should consider some safety schools.

Apply to safety schools but not too many like me :)))))

These schools are not even schools that are low in “ranking” They are just schools you wouldn’t mind going to but the point is you’ll def get in.

Apply to schools you feel are what you want without focusing on your major too much

Be aware that yes your major might “matter” but apply to places that interest you as a whole. Your major might change. Your school, probably not.

And know what your comfortable with. Personally, I wanted to go to a school close enough to come home on then weekends but still be able to dorm.

Apply to private schools if you fit any of these 1. You got a dank scholarship 2. You’re not planning on dorming 3. Dream school 4. You’re rich 5. You got a fee waiver and why not

Private schools can be fucking expensive. They are smaller and have a “better quality education” but know that price is the main factor.

Many private schools in Cali offer really good education such as Stanford and USC

But unless they offer you a private school education at a public school price they can put you into some serious debt

Many of them also offer very little financial aid but do give out substantial scholarships. I was offered a $26,000 scholarship to a $65,000 school ???

So unless you have a fee waiver, applying to one of those schools and doing the work for it may not be all it’s cracked up to be in the end.

Work on your personal statement EARLY ASF

THE BIGGEST THING WHEN APPLYING TO COLLEGE IS THE PERSONAL STATEMENT SO IF YOU STRESS OUT ABOUT ANYTHING IT SHOULD BE THIS

Your personal statement is the only place in your college application that you can bluntly state: “IVE STRUGGLED IN LIFE PLEASE ACCEPT ME”

Depending on your past you either dread writing about you or you have nothing to write about.

But seriously start early. And if you don’t know where to start, just free write.

I had a dream and the following day I wrote about that shit and I actually used it in my essay. (As a metaphor)

Apply to Financial Aid and Look & apply for scholarships!

My decision on the school I finally chose had SOO much to do with financial aid.

Some schools sometimes will offer you little to no financial aid and if your a broke bitch like me you’re counting on that financial aid

If paying for college is a factor in your decision plan ahead, like start now.

Career Centers are your holy grail when talking about financial aid and colleges in general.

Look for scholarships to apply to ahead of time and get all the shit you need in order for you to submit them. (Letters of Recs)

Speaking of Letters of Rec, if you are planning on applying to a private school, most likely they will ask you for 2 or more letters of rec

So… 8. Make a Bragging Sheet

A bragging sheet is like a resume but for high school. Make a google doc and put down EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE IN HS OR ANYTHING THAT IS WORTHY OF MENTIONING

For example - Associative Student Body 2020-2024 - (Leadership Role: if any) [And then put a brief description of what y'all do but in a profesional manner]

My teacher made me do this after I asked him to write me a letter of rec and it helped me sooo much bc

This helps bc it will give your teachers (those who will write your letter or rec) something to say about you in their letter.

And make sure to give it to every teacher/ counselor that way they know exactly what they should put in your LetOfRec

If you’re a person who has done a lot of activities in HS, this will help bc most applications will ask you what you’ve done

Scholarships ask you what activities you’ve done in HS and you’ll have them all written down on this doc and all you have to do is copy it

It honestly comes in handy guys and it’s really easy to make. Google Bragging Sheet/Letter for more info about how to set it up

Do test scores matter when applying to college? ACT? SAT? AP? Answer: Yes and No

AP scores only matter if the schools you’re applying to actually give you credit for the test you’ve passed

However, if you are planning to go to a UC, AP English Scores are SUPER IMPORTANT so pass them at least with a 3. Or retake them if you can.

AP scores are also important depending on your major. If you are heading towards a STEM major they can help you gain credit in that area.

As for SAT and ACT scores, they matter depending on the school you’re applying to.

Applying to a more prestigious school, and having a better test score puts you at a greater advantage

But there are many cases where people get accepted to their dream school having really good curricular activities and average test scores

Don’t stess too much

The actual college application is fairly easy to navigate. Especially the UC app. But do not wait until the last day!!!

For a couple of years now the website to submit your application will crash the day the app is due so try to finish it at least two days before

But if you do your bragging sheet, those applications will be so easy bc all you have to do is copy and paste what you already have.

Colleges want to see that you saw high school as a 3 sided Pie Chart filling in Academics, Sports, and Extracurriculars

They want to see that even if you didn’t play sports, you excelled in academics or vice versa.

In the end, any school is going to help you get to where you want to go as long as you also put in the effort to make your dreams happen.

Maybe some schools will get you there faster but how would I know, I’m barely starting that path myself lol

Edit: I’m so happy you all have found this post enlightening!! It makes me really happy to have passed on some of my wisdom. Go check out the rest of my posts if you want more detailed info and if you have any questions feel free to ask!!!

Edit #2:

If you are a STEM major, you should not feel pressured

If you are not a STEM major, you should not feel pressured

If you are an Undeclared major, you should not feel pressured

If you are unsure about your major, you should not feel pressured

And here's why:

Enjoying college and being open about learning new things is a part of the experience, you get to change your mind

BEING CURIOUS ABOUT SOMETHING YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN IS OKAY

Take your education seriously but not too seriously that you avoid opportunities

TAKE RISKS and try new things

Because deep down you have an idea about what you want to do

*For this post I will mostly be mentioning AP classes bc that was my experience in high school although AP and IB classes represent the same thing. 

Disclaimer: I am not a college admission’s person, this was just my experience.

Ok so, the struggle with AP classes can be so real. The biggest difference between AP classes and “regular” classes is the rigor. AP classes either expect a crazy amount of dedication or give you hours of homework. Or sometimes the teacher who teaches the AP class will be so lazy that the class will be “an easy A.” In all honesty, this isn’t a rare case. Most of these classes are supposed to be taught at the college level but aren’t always.

The thing about AP classes is that they can focus so much on what might be on the AP test, (the test you might take at the end of the course) the course itself goes by so fast and you might end up drowning with all the information thrown at you. The point of AP classes (for the teachers) is to give their students as much information as they can, in hope they are prepared for the AP test.

So are AP/ IB classes worth the struggle?

Colleges look at students who take or have taken AP classes as students who went “above and beyond”. Even if you don’t pass the AP test, colleges see that you’ve taken advantage of what a public school/ private school has offered you. 

The best thing you can do as a high school student who may want to be in an AP class is to find out from other students (from past years) about how the teacher teaches. 

HOW A TEACHER TEACHES IS SO IMPORTANT. 

We all know those teachers who literally read off of power points and bore the whole class to death while also cram 3 exams in one week. If you’re a lazy student like me, those may be the classes you want to avoid.

But then there are these amazing, inspiring teachers who actually teach their subject well and you find yourself not dreading the class. These are the classes you want. 

 A teacher teaching style matters, especially for an AP class so just keep that in mind. 

Additionally, because AP classes boost your GPA, you may want to consider exactly how rigorous the course may be because it could affect your Cumulative GPA. Getting a C in an AP class is worse than an A in a regular class. 

Ok so in my experience, Junior Year is when shit gets real. Many college bound kids will take 3-5 AP Classes, and although this is what most kids do, you need to think about yourself and whether this is wise. If you know what types of classes you're getting yourself into and you know how to manage your time with those classes and sports and etc…then go right ahead. However, know that the month of May is HELL for AP students because of

All the AP Test you have to take

Finals

SAT/ ACT testing are scheduled around this time

Senior Activities (if you’re a Senior)

So just know yourself and know what you can handle. If you have a passion for a certain subject, I’d recommend taking that course because you might find the class easier and you might actually like what you’re learning. But if you know you aren’t great at math, then don’t take an AP Calc class. (etc)

As long as you do your research on teachers, the class, and know that you can manage your time, then do you. 

As far as College Admissions goes, failing an AP class isn’t the best thing to have on your transcript. It is important to mention that they don’t mind if your transcript shows improvement over time. I took an AP class my freshman year and got a D the 1st Sem and a C the 2nd Sem, but I still continued to take AP classes. Just showing that you took advantage of the classes that were offered shows that you’re likely to flourish in a college environment. More competitive colleges will acknowledge more competitive students but there are other ways to make yourself look competitive. 

chat i have act test tmr any tips

pls i am despreaetra

despreaerte

despaerts

So I’m currently working on making a list of colleges that I’m interested in and I’m having an issue deciphering in between whats a reach school and whats a reasonable.

I have a pretty ACT and GPA but when you get up there with the really good colleges i feel like they’re all a reach? So I’m not really sure how I’m going to tell. I definitely have a solid safety school but other than that I’m having issues making sure I’m being realistic.

If anyone, in college or not, has any input on how to make a good and reasonable list I’d really appreciate it.

And in general, any advice about applying to colleges I’d love to hear about, I’m trying to get my stuff organized over summer so I don’t kill myself in october and stuff.

GENERAL TIPS:

ANSWER EVERYTHING. ACT doesn’t penalize you for wrong answers. I repeat, THERE IS NO PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS. You’ve got nothing to lose, so guess if you don’t know it! 

If the proctor gives the 5 minute warning and you’re not finished, go through and mark an answer for all of the remaining questions. Then go back and figure out all of the questions you have time for and change the answer if needed. This way, you aren’t stuck with blank questions when time is up. 

Watch the clock! Time is key. 

Write in the test booklet. Mark what you are trying to find, underline stuff, mark on the graphs, etc. 

Science

You have roughly 5 mins for each passage

The last question for each passage is always the hardest 

If you don’t know it, don’t spend too much time on it. Move on. 

There are 3 types of passages:

Data Representation (there are roughly 3-4 per test)

questions based on a diagram, table, picture, etc.

Research Summary (2-4 per test)

presents the results of experiments and asks you to compare the results

questions over results/method of research

Conflicting viewpoints

different viewpoints on the same issue

compare/contrast the viewpoints

Don’t read the passages first. Look at the questions and graphs. Most of the passages are designed to slow you down, and you can answer the questions without them. If you feel like you need to read the passage after looking at the questions, go for it. 

Exception: Passages with no graphs/tables where they ask you to examine different views (conflicting viewpoint passages)

Ignore fancy science words

Math: 

60 questions, 60 minutes

There are different ways to approach questions-

you can use multiple choice strategies like estimation, use the answers provided and work the question backwards or guess and check

If you don’t know it, guess and move on. You have one minute for each problem, and if a problem is taking up too much time mark an answer and circle the question to come back to if you have time. 

The math test covers: 

pre-algebra 

elementary algebra (Algebra 1 stuff)

intermediate algebra/coordinate geometry (algebra 2)

plane geometry

trigonometry 

Review the topics before the test and do practice problems. There are tons of resources online, just search the topic you struggle with. 

English

1/5 of answers are “no change”

This is English, NOT reading. Don’t waste your time reading the passages, go to the underlined portions and read the sentences around them if you need context. 

Exception: questions that ask about paragraph order, order of sentences, main idea, etc. 

When all answers mean the same thing, choose the shortest one. (Omit needless words, Strunk and White #17)

If you have an “omit” question (where they underline a phrase and ask you if it should be deleted) read it without the underlined portion first and see if it makes sense. 

It helps if you know the Strunk and White rules

REMEMBER: 

For sentence boundaries, use . : ; 

To set off clauses inside sentences, use , - or ( )

If you see theses words, ACT is asking for a specific example from the test

example

illustrate

demonstrate

describe

show

If you read the words LEAST, NOT, or EXCEPT in a question circle it so you don’t miss it!

If you see a YES or NO question look at the NO options first

If you see a KEEP or DELETE question look at the KEEP options first

When you have three answer choices that mean the same thing, always choose the old man out.

The most common correct answer concerning punctuation is the one with no punctuation (ACT irony) If in doubt, leave it out.

READING

4 passages

Literature

Social Sciences

Humanities

Natural Sciences

You have 35 minutes to read 4 passages and answer 40 questions, so you get roughly 8.5 minutes per passage.

Depending on your target score, preview the test and pick the hardest passage to leave out. (Not recommended if you’re going for high twenties or anywhere in the 30s... you have to do them all) If you’re going for a higher score, leave the most difficult passage until last. 

Skim the questions and circle key words before you read, take note of questions that reference specific lines in the text (I put the number of the question by that line)

This is helpful, but make sure you’re doing this quickly! It is meant to save time but it’s not worth it if it takes you too long. I would do this on a practice ACT first to make sure it will work for you. 

Most correct answers are paraphrases of the text. 

Be careful if a question uses exact words from the text because in most cases the meaning has been changed and they are trying to trap you.

Questions containing always, all, never and other absolutes are usually a trap because they mean that there can be no exceptions.

Circle contrast words. (However, but, despite, yet, therefore, nonetheless)

ACT doesn’t care about your opinion-- if you disagree with the passage, you just have to move past it! 

WRITING

30 minute essay

You are provided with a prompt that presents an issue and two points of view. You are supposed to write on your position. 

ACT graders look for 

how you articulate your opinion

how well you maintain focus on the topic

how you organize your essay

your use of standard english

In your intro, make sure you

take a clear position

paraphrase the argument

give the argument broader context

have your thesis as the last sentence

Body paragraphs 

Have good transitions and topic sentences

develop your ideas logically and fully

make sure you stay focused on the issue

use specific examples

Explain the weaknesses/limitations of these positions

Counter argument

Good topic sentence

Give a specific example, relate it to your argument.

How is the view you picked better than this one? (”The other view says this, however, ...”) 

Conclusion

Clear transition (”In conclusion...”)

summarize the ideas clearly