My own outline (and what I would do differently)

So,here it goes –my own study and exam schedule. You will see it has a lot of flaws and lapses,but hey,I have never done it before this. I hope you see where my mistakes were and learn a lesson. Try thinking of what you would do differently yourself.

HS,3rd grade

October 2007.
First visit to IACBG. Enrolling in two-month TOEFL preparatory course. Not being serious about going abroad at all.

January 2008.
Borrowing Kaplan’s SAT book from a friend,to have something to read while I’m on skiing. I read it whole during those ten days,and did a single test.

March 2008.
I decide I’ll try doing a real SAT test in May;all seats have been taken in the Belgrade test center,so I chose the June option.

April 2008.
In the meantime,whole April and May,I’m studying for SAT few times a week in short intervals,still nothing serious. Of course,I forgot all of my TOEFL skills,since I still thought I’m not going anywhere away from home.

June 2008.
I took the SAT test. Once I got my test results I was very satisfied,but decided not to study in the USA. I was more occupied with my assignments in Petnica and my regular school activities.

July 2008.
I got full-time employment at the Faculty of Mining (University of Belgrade) as a junior assistant in the computer room. It was fun,my first shot at working with databases. Afterwards I went to Petnica to work on my mathematical/statistical linguistics project. However stressful it was around matching your deadlines and correcting your project over and over,I have great friends there,so a part of it was like a big continuous picnic.

August 2008.
I went to the mountains for two weeks of alpine hiking and did a load of natural/landscape photography. I thought my whole summer break was a waste of time (school-wise) really,but what that summer did was get me prepared really well for the stress and volume of obligations I was about to have.

HS,4th grade

September 2008.
I’m studying for three SAT subject tests:Math 2,Physics and Chemistry. I used my own books (Kaplan) I ordered through Amazon. Since there were no school obligations at that time,it was really easy to find the time for all three. Once I found out that the colleges in general ask for two tests,I quit studying chemistry. Out of the three,I was best in chemistry;but since my marks in chemistry are excellent unlike my marks in math and physics,I decided to prove my knowledge by doing subject tests. That’s an important thing you should notice:in USA,high schools are for everybody,unlike gymnasiums and talent schools in Serbia that are reserved for college-bound students. If applying to a demanding college you are expected not to have blemishes in your report card. Since I’m from Math Gymnasium,my GPA is far from perfect but my knowledge meets the demands.

October 2008.
I took the SAT Math 2 and SAT Physics. I started going to the IACBG regularly to study for my next SAT (November),because they have a bunch studying materials and tests. I never looked into the question types after January;I just kept doing tests from different authors:Kaplan,College Board,Princeton Review…when I got my results from the subjects,I was utterly disappointed with Physics. The problem was very simple:I studied from a book that didn’t fully cover the needed knowledge,it didn’t have a number of formulas needed,and the sample tests were way easier than the real one. That’s why I’ll recommend going to the IAC and having different materials rather than locking yourself to a single,insufficient,exam-prep book.

November 2008.
I took the SAT again. This time,I had a considerably higher score,and was very satisfied with the success. I studied for Math and Physics more seriously than the last time –in the IAC. Greatest thing about it is that I remember those days as great times because I had my studying buddies all over the Center as well,and we would chat and fool around during “breaks”.

December 2008.
I took the SAT Math 2 and SAT Physics again,this time in Skopje. Why there? I tried to schedule a December exam in Belgrade,but all seats were taken,and it was either going to Skopje or sending those lousy subject results. There are mighty many applicants interested for studying in the USA,and you really have to schedule your exams in time to get a seat. I also took the TOEFL. Leaving TOEFL materials untouched for a year was a great mistake,because I forgot it all until December. I did the test virtually unprepared,and it would be a colossal mistake for somebody who isn’t as fluent in English as I am. Additionally,December was when I wrote my essays and had a load of school errands,so I had no time for myself at all. December is also when I sent all of the admission papers to colleges.

January 2009.
I’m congratulating myself for getting through with the application,and sending in the financial aid papers. Partying. I started reading random articles on AI from the MITECS (“MIT encyclopedia of cognitive science”). I met the love of my life. Really,I was just enjoying myself for a month. That’s why I messed up my financial aid papers,but hey,it’s all over now. I’m waiting.

February 2009.
I started focusing on (robotic) perception,since I found out it’s the part of AI I would like to play with during summer. I have this very old Logitech camera that has a very low resolution and lots of noise;I’m so excited about getting to do something real I can’t wait any longer. I started coming up with a series of hobbies and sports activities to keep me busy and they worked. I’m waiting.

March 2009.
I’m waiting. All the colleges let you know of their decisions by April 01,some do it earlier.

Another thing. Feel free to comment,ask,suggest…you can ask anything you’re not sure of just yet.

Sincerely,

Milica Stankovic

Matemati?ka Gimnazija,Beograd