It is. I was reading up on some that I want to apply to. They pretty much look at how you are as a person. They want people who are unique and capable of great things. That kinda got me excited because being Brazilian and being able to learn "Latin" languages and knowing other cultures is really a + on the unique side. Although grades may not be all, they matter. I know they take into account how tough your classes are and how much you push yourself, so I hope that if my grades fall next year because of all the college-level classes I'm taking, they can still see past that. Only thing that worries me is that I'm underestimating how they rate you. I do my best in school and all, but I don't read much at home. That's my only fault according to my dad. I'm very slow to pick up on news because of that lack in reading. I try to change that, but it's hard. There are times where I will sit and read, but that's only when my motivation is renewed by one of my dad's lectures. My mom is also always saying that I need to read more. One day, she said (she's somewhat religious) that "God gives wings to those who can't fly". And that's gotten me worrying...
I mean...I've always been dreaming about going to top schools. It would be the achievement of my life. But, I'll really see where I'm at once these classes start. Then I'll know if I need to pick up the pace. So for now, I'm just trying to do my best to have a good start in them. Mostly in AP History because it is an AP class where as English is just listed as Advanced.
Hopefully I've been able to direct your eyes so they can see where I'm coming from and where I plan to take this.
edit: For those of you who said this was cheating: Do you see a way of undoing the damage? I do feel bad about using Spark Notes (first time ever), but frankly, I think all that it has done is sped up my conclusions about the book. For one of the essays it only cleared what a cloudy thought was in my head. For another, it directed me to the right path. The question asked about a scene in the book where it could have to interpretations, however, the question didn't thoroughly specify what part in the scene. I couldn't find any part in the scene that hinted at double-meaning. Only after I read Spark Notes I realized that it was not the actual scene that the essay was demanding my inspection and stance, but rather the outcome of the scene. Or at least that is how I think about all this. It could easily be my corrupted conscience trying to relieve itself of the error made. Regardless, I'd like to know if this is something can create problems for me in the future or just a warning, telling me that in order to successfully achieve my goals I must work harder yet and not cut any corners.
And yes, I do realize I'm making a big deal out of this, yet I can't help but feel how this could be problematic in the future. Having done it once, "it won't be so bad to do it again".
