Q:  (Initially posted on 8/19) FROM MENTEE ALEXIS K. IN VA
...As for my actual classes, because of the advice I got
through GEMSET, I went heavy on accelerated science and math (GT Geometry,
GT Biology, GT History, GT English and gym) and for my two electives chose
French and an engineering class. I am very concerned that I have too many
GT classes but the counselor said I could do it. What if I mess up my GPA
just as I start high school? This could be bad. But I would rather do this
and learn alot than go easy. I just think that colleges don't really give
as much credit for pushing yourself as they do for the GPA. I think they
say they do, but I don't believe it. At my school, you can get an A only if
you score over 95. I don't think anyone will understand that if I had a 94
I would have gotten an A at most schools. The colleges will just see a B
and will make the wrong assumptions. Anyone out there disagree with me when
I say college admissions people won't understand that my school is tight on
A's? I honestly want to hear your view so please write. As for looking
forward to classes, I am very excited to hit the books again. I like
learning, especially when I get a good teacher. I had a great summer for
trying new things and am a little tired, but I am ready to go back. I
really want to get good at French because I really enjoy it. English, not
as much because I already know the teachers are preferential and a little
strange. Science should be great, but math also depends who one lotteried
for their teacher. Many of my math teachers have not really taught me math,
they just point alot and assign work. I want to be TAUGHT math. I hope I
get a real teacher like I had last year. History will be fine. And
Gym,well, bad, bad, bad. I could've taken journalism but the law says I
have to have gym. I will work out after school with a team anyway. Well,
no getting out of this. I am sure I will learn something. One of my other
concerns is that I will not have enough time to keep working on my novel.
This is not something the school assigns so they won't care if I have enough
time or not. But I care. Oh, I meant to ask, do any of my mentors know
where I can get my novel published? Publishing is all news to me. (I have
let a few friends read my work and they love it. My novel even inspired
them to start their own and now we talk about our stuff with each other. I
use that as a way to know there is something interesting with my novel so I
think it could get published. Can anyone help me with this?) So that's it
about my opinions about classes (and school). I'd still love feedback about
the hard classes/GPA thing.

August 20, 2002
A: FROM MENTOR MARY JO MULLEN. For bio. click here.
Alexis, don't worry about your GPA before you even get into High School! If you feel overwhelmed by all your classes once you are taking them, then you can switch around your schedule next semester and you have 7 semesters to work on your GPA if this semester isn't all you hoped for. More than likely you will get into those classes and enjoy the challenge and do very well. And my experience in applying to colleges was that the admittance counselors were pretty knowledgable about various schools. At least 2 of the schools I applied to had counselors in charge of small regions of the country and they became familiar with various school districts and schools. This would be especially true if you go to a state school, admittance people will probably be very familiar with your school. If your school and/or district is known for being tough, they will know. And if you are still worried, you can ask your high school counselor to enclose a letter with your college applications explaining the grading system. But for now, don't worry! That is still a couple years away. Work hard, get involved and most importantly HAVE FUN! If yearbook won't let you on without journalism, join other activities, maybe sports or academic teams, or student council. Enjoy this time, and don't stress about college yet!! I was *so* nervous going into high school, but the classes turned out to be much easier than I had feared, the teachers were helpful and I really loved my extracurricular activities (band, volleyball and badminton).