ITT academic advice

[trumaestro]

Re: ITT academic advice

tru advice

polisci or another type of liberal arts degree

don't

[Reincarnate]

Re: ITT academic advice

did you write the GMAT? if yes, was there seriously anything hard on it?

not at all
lsat's piss-easy too

like any other test, study it a bit before you jump into the battlefield blindly

[Reincarnate]

Re: ITT academic advice

Is getting 314987 minors worth it?

not really

go for another major instead of a bunch of minors. Minors don't count much for anything unless they give you skills that you can invoke in an interview/on the job.

[Starshot]

Re: ITT academic advice

don't

If you have connections, do. If you're a unsocial person who trembles in front of a person when making casual conversation, then STAY. THE HELL. AWAY.

The arts biz is all about connections and socializing. The more people you know, the more opportunities are available to you. If you have a damn good resume to back yourself up, the odds get even better. That's how I got published to begin with.

[Reincarnate]

Re: ITT academic advice

obvious answers are obvious

here's a good academic tip

this is for you middle schoolers and freshmen in high school

cut the booze, cut the drugs, cut the retarded friends
make some smarter friends, put academics as your priority
strive for a 2400, a 4.0 unweighted
take challenging courses like AP/IB courses
pursue a sport, maybe an instrument if you're already good at one
join clubs that don't suck (preferably sports or debate)



surround yourself with SMART people (the nerds, 4.0s, 2300+s)


you'll thank yourself later on when you get into a prestigious private school / state school while your friends in high school get held back / go to colleges that are worse than yours

good colleges have good reputation for a reason

while I largely agree with OHN's points, I think they need some more realistic modifications/additions:

1. Cutting booze/drugs is usually a good idea. You can keep retarded friends as long as you also keep smart friends.

2. Definitely prioritize academics. If you go through school not giving a crap, you are going to be passing up on some great opportunities.

3. Striving for a 2400 and a 4.0 GPA isn't necessary. This is an overachieving goal that isn't feasible for most people. Instead, just focus on doing your absolute best -- push your limits. Having decent scores/GPAs will get you access to a huge number of great schools.

4. Take the most challenging courseload that you can. Rigor is looked at very, very favorably.

5. It's better to be really, really involved in just a few extracurriculars than it is to be involved in a ton of meaningless ones. Speech and Debate is a great one to get involved with, as are computer science clubs, science teams, orchestras, community service projects, state/national competitions, sports, etc. Don't force yourself to sludge through a particular activity if you hate it. For instance, I was not involved in any sports whatsoever. I was largely involved in cultural honor societies, digital media clubs, computer science clubs, speech and debate, and art clubs.

6. Surrounding yourself with driven, intelligent people is one of the best things you can do. The competition will help keep you stimulated, and it's easier to become successful if you're following similar paths of other successful, smart people.

7. Be active in your classes and develop relationships with your teachers. You'll need to get letters of recommendation at some point, and it's much easier to get good recs if the teachers actually KNOW you and what you can do.

[who_cares973]

Re: ITT academic advice

^is that how you got your username?_?.

more or less. i saw no reason to get good grades or try because they werent affecting my immediate future. that doesnt mean i didnt learn what i was taught i just didnt care to apply myself

[Reincarnate]

Re: ITT academic advice

more or less. i saw no reason to get good grades or try because they werent affecting my immediate future. that doesnt mean i didnt learn what i was taught i just didnt care to apply myself

This is still pretty dangerous. A lot of opportunities close, here. Some places won't even accept people for interviews unless they graduate from a certain type of school or have a certain level of academic achievement. It's a huge drag to have to pass up a great opportunity because you don't have the grades.

That being said, though, not all is lost. If you're truly a smart guy, you can still learn how to advance your skills by reading, researching, practicing, and getting involved. If you can immerse yourself in your craft and develop a decent portfolio to showcase your skills, you can land great jobs without having the grades.

It also helps to know people. People with brains who are in power can always give you a leg up... given that you're capable enough to actually handle the job you're after.

[Sullyman2007]

Re: ITT academic advice

i ****ed up bad in high school. trust me, trying to half-ass your way through those four years will only serve to bite you in the ass when all is said and done. also try to be involved in at least one-two extra curricular activities because admissions LOVE that. basically the best advice is mostly stuff you've already heard a thousand times, you just got a little numb to the preaching.

[rushyrulz]

Re: ITT academic advice

My grades freshman year were enough to land me a 3.48 GPA instead of the 3.5 needed for my $2500/yr scholarship. I got the highest grades I possibly could senior year and they weren't enough. Shame.

[cry4eternity]

Re: ITT academic advice

How do you land an internship / co-op if you have a strong academic record but no work experience?

[Reincarnate]

Re: ITT academic advice

How do you land an internship / co-op if you have a strong academic record but no work experience?

Internships are more easily accessible once you're in college. Getting worthwhile internships when you're in high school is almost always a function of knowing someone (referral) or having a lucky break. The first internship I ever had was at a law firm in NYC... but it was because of a referral from my girlfriend at the time, and it took place AFTER I had already gone through college admissions in the first place.

Getting internships in college is not as difficult. You don't necessarily need work experience, although it helps provide fuel for the interview process (and on-the-job skills). If you have a great record, you have a better chance of landing an interview. Then it becomes a function of simply acing the interview... and voila, internship!

[Starshot]

Re: ITT academic advice

How do you land an internship / co-op if you have a strong academic record but no work experience?

Know your **** in the interview and know how to interview well.

[leonid]

Re: ITT academic advice

In CS-related fields, interviews are basically nothing but problem-solving exams

[who_cares973]

Re: ITT academic advice

That being said, though, not all is lost. If you're truly a smart guy, you can still learn how to advance your skills by reading, researching, practicing, and getting involved. If you can immerse yourself in your craft and develop a decent portfolio to showcase your skills, you can land great jobs without having the grades.

It also helps to know people. People with brains who are in power can always give you a leg up... given that you're capable enough to actually handle the job you're after.

yeah i have a couple doors with a crack open i just need to take some classes to open the doors all the way. it helps if you know how to make yourself like a great asset regardless of background.

[OneHandNow]

Re: ITT academic advice

btw..

how to balance freedom & academics in college ?_?