Michelle shares her experience as being the president of student council after her high school went through a change most high schools could never imagine.
Transcription
Kamila
Hey college kids. Welcome back to my podcast who cares about college? In today’s episode, I’ll be interviewing Michelle. So one thing I want to say is, make sure you subscribe before you start listening. But other than that, I hope you guys enjoy
Hey, college kids, welcome back to my podcast, who cares about college? In today’s interview, I’m going to be interviewing Michelle. So Michelle, could you please introduce yourself?
Michelle
Yes. Hi, guys. I’m Michelle Tashi. I am 18 years old. I live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In the fall, I will be attending Howard University and I will be a nursing major
Kamila
and Nursing Major. Oh, interesting. Okay, so let’s start with the very basics. Are you the first in your family to go to college in America?
Michelle
No, I am not the first person to go to college and my family.
Kamila
I see. So are you a legacy student? Or is this? Are you the first person in your family attending Howard University?
Michelle
I’m actually the first person in my family to attend Howard University.
Kamila
So did you do you have any older siblings that when so you can you know, refer to them and ask them about the college process?
Michelle
No, I am actually the oldest of oh, this child in my family. So this is really a trial run for my family.
Kamila
Okay, so, yeah. Okay, so when did you start thinking about college? Or when maybe it was your parents who started you? So who started the college process for you first? And when did you do that?
Michelle
Um, the college process really started for me around the second semester of 10th grade, it is really dawned upon me because mainly, our teachers and counselors, they begin to talk to us about resumes and stuff and think about where we want to go for college and look up statistics on the college so we can know, how can we get into those universities? So it really started from me in 10th grade and my mom was a big influence on starting my college process just so I can get it over with so I won’t drag on it, like dawned on it during my senior year?
Kamila
How important was it for your parents to get into like a good school? Did education matter so much that you felt the pressure to or where they find with any college that you attended?
Michelle
I will say there was a lot of pressure from my parents on my college decision. And I would, I will say that I did, I did have a choice in where I wanted to go. But I really didn’t again, I really didn’t because it was more narrowed down to like the school’s reputation and what they’re known for and education of each college that I chose.
Kamila
I see. Okay, so we’ll get into the like actually choosing your college a little bit later. But for now, let’s talk about your application. So can you give me the basics in terms of your grade, so can you give me your GPA, unweighted, weighted, if your school did that, and then any classes you took, such as APS IBS, or honors,
Michelle
my unweighted GPA was a 3.5 and my weighted GPA was a 3.8. For the past for the past few years I’ve been in IB courses. So I was on the diploma candidate I was a diploma candidate. And yeah,
Kamila
what IB classes or at least at by the end of high school, how many IB is Had you taken?
Michelle
I took about I believe I took seven IB courses.
Kamila
Okay, and what did you score on average in those if you took the IB tests?
Michelle
Well, I scored mainly fours on everything that’s about my average score.
Kamila
And let’s see let’s move on to your sh t or AC t so which one did you take?
Michelle
I took the AC T
Kamila
AC T and how did you start preparing for that?
Michelle
Well honestly, when I first took the AC T I just went in there to see like where I was at but then when it got closer to time, the way I started preparing for the AC T is that I took their online prep and I also had books as well. So yeah, I started to study when I when I had time to do because I also had to manage schoolwork and with IB and study for the AC t so that was a lot of work right there. So I really just studied whenever I had time but mainly when I like when it was the week of the AC T that’s when I begin to jam pack the study down to where I had to study every day.
Kamila
What did you end up getting on the AC T the super score that you submitted to all schools.
Michelle
I currently do not know my super score, but my highest score that I got was a 20 For, I will say that test taking really isn’t my, my go to, because it really did. It really did take me a long time to get my score up to where I wanted it to be because my scores bounced around a lot. But then after a while I just like it really the AC t, it really just ate I just had to really work for my the score even though my score. It’s it’s really like an average score, like an average American score. But yeah, I had to work for. So yeah, I’m, I’m glad. Like, I’m glad that I got my I was happy that I got my score. But I felt as if maybe if I applied myself a little bit more, I could have gotten it higher.
Kamila
So would you recommend to people, whether they’re taking the LSAT or AC T to start preparing for it earlier than you might think?
Michelle
Yes, I do believe that. You should I feel like maybe even like when you first start high school, yes, you should be preparing for the AC T that’s one thing that my parents got for me being their first child, like with my brother, he just he just began his high school journey this like last school year. And I told them all and they realize like he has to start on the AC T early. Because once you start like towards when it’s time to be applying for colleges, it gets too late where to where you can’t even really do anything about.
Kamila
So if so you said you’re not a good test taker, and you seem to have only taken the AC t So did you ever give the LSAT into any consideration?
Michelle
I didn’t know because I when it when it was time for me to like actually, when I had the chance to actually sign up for eight LSAT. I just thought to myself, I had to learn another format of a test when I was already very familiar with the AC T four.
Kamila
Okay, yeah. Yeah. So yeah, okay, it’s good that you stick to stuck to the AC t. Let’s move on to another part of your application. And that is your extracurricular. So can you give me at least the most important extracurriculars that you put on your college application?
Michelle
Um, yeah, Student Council was a very important extracurricular that I put on my application. And also, another one was Black Student Union. And an outside organization that I’m in that is called talk teens of America, though, all of the all of the extracurriculars that I put on my application was mainly geared towards leadership.
Kamila
I see. So did you, did you hold the leadership leadership position? And all of those activities?
Michelle
Yes, besides Black Student Union,
Kamila
what do you think was your most significant or most outstanding, I would say, extracurricular that you had, like, what do you think would like drive the college to pick you like, if they saw the extracurricular, they’d be like, Oh, that that’s really good of her.
Michelle
I think it would be this other student count me being a part of student council for four years, I was the president of my class for all four years of high school, and especially during the last year, junior year, going into senior year, I think that’s what really made me stand out to colleges, because our school went through a drastic change that knows that normally, no schools ever go through this year, and I took extra steps to make sure that our school in the student body was intact to where we could all have a normal school year.
Kamila
I see. Okay, good. So when you were choosing which extracurriculars that you want that you wanted to participate in? Did you ever have in mind like, oh, this will look good on my college application? Oh, that will look good on my college application, or did you do all of them because you genuinely genuinely enjoyed all of them.
Michelle
Most of the extracurricular activities I was in, in high school, I definitely enjoyed being in that. That’s what I did before. Like, I didn’t even realize after a while, I didn’t even realize because most people were like, Yeah, that looks really good on your resume. You need to keep that on there. And then I was just like, Oh, wow. So yeah, it was more out of the genuine interest.
Kamila
I see. Okay, so like, by the time college apps rolled around, and you had to, you know, write down because I think they only give you what 10 slots.
Michelle
I believe it was 10 slots.
Kamila
Yes. Yeah. Okay, so when they give you those 10 slots, did you ever find that like, Oh, you did some extracurriculars like uselessly, you realize they wouldn’t even go on your college application.
Michelle
Yes, I did have I did have to choose pick and choose which extracurriculars were you know, more looked more significant than the others that I had to choose? Like I Of all the extracurriculars I had.
Kamila
Okay, so for college students now and for you know your brother right now he’s a rising sophomore, right? Yes, yeah. So what? What advice would you give when picking extracurriculars? Because you did have some that didn’t even go on your college application.
Michelle
I will say that, when you are choosing your extracurriculars, make sure you actually have a passion for the extracurricular, because that also makes your time more value during during it, so you won’t waste your time during that extracurricular. So yeah, that’s mainly the advice that I have. But also, this makes sure, like it like it, like when you’re doing the extra curricular extracurricular, that you’re leaving an impact.
Kamila
So let’s move on to another part of your application, which is the recommendation letter. So where did you who did you get your recommendation letters from?
Michelle
I actually got my recommendation letters from of course, you have to have your counselor. I got one from my class sponsor, which is also my history teacher. And then I got one from my principal,
Kamila
it’s the class sponsor, the person who sponsored your club.
Michelle
Yes, they sponsored the senior class, like further graduation, like the person who oversees the class, during their time during high school to make sure they have enough funds for class activities.
Kamila
I see. Okay. And I’m sure you had some sort of relationship with your teacher. But what about your guidance counselor and principal? How well did you know them?
Michelle
I knew my principal very well, because me being in Student Council, I worked very close with him. So I was doing a lot of projects with him for students as well. But am I a guidance counselor, she’s pretty new. She came last year, and I was in her office a lot because of college. So I got to know her very well.
Kamila
Do you think that they wrote something more substantial than the average student that they would write a recommendation letter for?
Michelle
I truly do believe they they didn’t write me a, an average letter that they get just based off of my resume. I think my recommendation letters were more personal due to the fact that I had a closer relationship with my, the people.
Kamila
I see. Okay, so let’s see. Let’s move on to your essays. So for your and you applied common app, right? Yes. Okay. So what did you write for your common app essay?
Michelle
Um, well, so for my common app essay, I did that I believe my prompt was, it was something like, show how you use Spark personal growth within yourself. So I chose that prompt, because like, that could like I felt like that was the best for me go because of the circumstances that our school was put in from junior to senior year. And I basically wrote about how my school was being merged into a different school, and everyone didn’t want every, like, people had mixed emotions about it, because it was our senior year. And so I wrote about basically how leadership, how I had to use my leadership role to actually bring two student bodies together, even though no one wanted to cooperate. That’s what I really wrote my common app essay over.
Kamila
I see. So do you think that that essay, how would you say, because colleges they can’t interview and know every single student that apply, so they rely on like more essays to get more personal with you? So do you think that your essay did reflect that? Do you think that the admissions officer knew more about you rather than your grades or your extracurriculars?
Michelle
Yes, I felt like my, my essay, it really did show a lot of my characteristics
Kamila
in the so we have the different components of your application together. So out of all of those components, which one do you think made the most impact in your acceptance to all the schools to all the schools that you got accepted into?
Michelle
Um, I will say, I feel like my essays probably did it for me due to the fact that I wasn’t really a strong candidate and the GPA and AC T range. So I think I think my essays and maybe closely behind my recommendation letters, as well. Okay.
Kamila
And so essays were personally your strongest point, but overall, what do you think is the most important component of your application and why?
Michelle
This one? That’s that’s kind of a hard question. Well, to me, I feel like well, I feel as if your GPA and your anger retesting score to the colleges, that is that is a significant factor in your acceptance. So of course, the GPA and the scores are going to Be one of the main things you’re worried about. But I also feel like that The essays are a very big thing that you let you actually need to make sure that are very good. Because at the end of the day, someone else can have the same GPA and score as you. But how can they tell you guys apart without knowing that that’s the thing. So that’s why I feel like the essays are a big thing.
Kamila
I see that. That’s good. That’s actually good. You said that. I didn’t think of that before. Let’s see, how did you create a college list to apply to and did your parents help you with that? Or was it kind of you just picking and choosing?
Michelle
Well, I picked I chose, okay, so mainly, most of the colleges that I applied to were in state, because I because I’m more of a homebody. So that’s when I did that. And then so when I applied to Howard, that’s pretty far from my house. I applied to the school just because I’ve actually visited the campus. And I really loved it, but I, I wanted to go there. So I applied there as well. And I also applied to Spelman College, which is in Atlanta, Georgia. So yeah, my most of my I chose where I wanted to go for the most part. But yeah, so.
Kamila
Yeah. And then for Oklahoma, I heard there’s not that many universities there. So did you only have like a couple from there?
Michelle
Yes, we I believe we all like I believe there’s about five or six major universities, but I did I did apply to those. Yes. Okay.
Kamila
So which ones did you apply in state,
Michelle
I applied to University of Oklahoma, Tulsa University, Oklahoma State.
Kamila
So which one which college, in state or out of state was your first choice like, which is the which college was the one that you really, really wanted to go
Michelle
to? So in state that I was having a very difficult decision on the end state, my, my mom is an alumni of Oklahoma State University. So I basically grew up on that campus due to due to the fact that I was always at their events that they had. But then, over time, throughout high school, I went to a lot of leadership camps at the University of Oklahoma. And I actually fell in love with the school in the community that I was a part of there. So that’s so me being I was really torn with the end state, but out of state Howard, I really did love Howard because of the atmosphere. And basically, yeah, the atmosphere in that it was something different. I just felt like it wasn’t as like, I needed to be out of my comfort zone. Because in Oklahoma, there’s it’s very small. So everyone, so yeah, I felt like DC would actually help me branch out and better myself,
Kamila
which was Howard the most, I guess you could say, selective school that you apply to. Yes. So you apply to these colleges, which college decision decision came out first, and what was it?
Michelle
The first college decision I got was Oklahoma State University, and I got accepted.
Kamila
That’s good. Okay. But your mom was very happy about that one. Yes, yeah. Okay. And then we’re all the other Oklahoma colleges out after that.
Michelle
i Yes, I got the actually, I got every acceptance letter from Oklahoma first, because I think they, I don’t know how they do it. But I think it’s rolling admission. So they’re accepting people at all times, and not the selective dates that common app gives you for when you get your acceptance letters back, like how there’s early decision regulated decision dates, they didn’t actually abide by those dates. So yeah, I got all of my Oklahoma admissions responses that pretty fast before the before the end of first semester, and I got my Howard decision back because I applied early decision. And late November, I believe. No, I got it back in December. Yes,
Kamila
Senator. I see. Okay. And then what about Spelman College. So
Michelle
as I did apply to Spelman College, but I also withdrew my application, due to the fact that I got my Howard. I got my Howard admissions letter back before it was time for me to turn in the application for Spelman College.
Kamila
Oh, I see is the Howard is Howard University binding. Yes, I see. Okay. So I’ve one question that’s not related to the colleges, but you mentioned rolling admissions, and no matter how much I research, I really can’t understand that. So could you quickly explain to me what that is?
Michelle
I believe that rolling admission is that you could be accepted at any time and you can apply whatever. I think that’s what that means. Because a lot of the colleges here like how common app they start their applications on August 1. A lot of the schools here they start, pretty much some of them really do start earlier than August 1. where you can get accepted at any time. And you can apply at any time. I think that’s what I believe that rolling admission is.
Kamila
So it’s kind of like, well, of course they have a deadline for you know, when you can apply and stuff. But is it like once you apply, they’ll just give it back to you as soon as they make a decision?
Michelle
Yes, I believe that’s what it was. Because that’s how I applied to LSU. I applied during the summer. I applied in the summer, and I got an M decision back pretty like in about a month or two.
Kamila
I see. Okay. Okay. That’s good. So I have another question. You got your Oklahoma acceptances before you got Howard. So did Oklahoma give you any scholarships or financial aid that was sufficient enough that you wouldn’t be in too much debt?
Michelle
Yes, surprisingly, so I got the most I did get scholarships from Oklahoma schools. But surprisingly, I didn’t get a lot of money from Oklahoma State University. But the I got the most money from Towson University, which is a private institution.
Kamila
So did you apply to you apply to Howard, of course, knowing it was binding, but did you know that you were going to get is Howard a private or public? Let me know that first? It’s a private school, private school. So did you apply to Howard knowing that you’d be able to pay it if you got in?
Michelle
So that was one of the questions that came up to me when I was looking at schools. And so basically, that was going to be a problem. But when I did well get it, I weighed all my options. And, and I just thought I was like, maybe it’s worth the price of pain, or paint to go branch out and do something different. Rather than just staying at home. The tuition was very significantly different than the public school.
Kamila
I see. Okay, so do you. And now, I’m sure a few months has passed since you’ve gotten your acceptance. So are you still confident in your choice?
Michelle
Yes, I am confident in my choice. But But now like, I will say, because of COVID, I really am kind of shaky on my college decision just because of the situation that we are all in. Because I don’t know if I can, if I’m going to be online rather than in Oklahoma, I do know that some of the some of them they’re going to be on campus. So that’s another thing. It just is just will I be at home online learning when the I could be in that like a classroom setting or something. Yeah, that’s, that’s really bothered me.
Kamila
Yeah, a lot of people are telling me that. Oh, because they’re saying how going online is obviously not the same as learning in the in person classroom. And some sino some people are taking a gap year because of that, because they don’t want to be online or something. So that’s very interesting. So did that ever come to mind to take a year off? No, no? Okay. I see. So you are going to Howard University, you’re binded there. And Howard University is a historically black college. So was that important to you?
Michelle
Yes, it really was important to me, especially during the time that we were living, and right now. So yeah, that was a very big aspect of my college decision as well.
Kamila
I see. And was Spelman College. Also, history is is also historically black. Yes. So let’s see D. So you said you’re going into nursing? So are you applying? Did you apply as a nursing major just because you pick you want to pick something? Or is that what you’re really passionate about? And if you are, how did you come to find that passion.
Michelle
So I applied it as a nursing major, because I want to be a physician assistant. So one way to acquire the prerequisites for physician assistant is to become a nurse, like, do nursing, because that’s what’s most people will do before they go to physician assistant school. So I felt as if the nursing is a great start for me to know, to get to get to know the field better, and to also get experience within the field as well.
Kamila
And DC I know I mean, DC is known for like its politics and stuff, but do you think you’ll be able to find any substantial experience in the nursing field there or just as a physician’s assistant?
Michelle
Well, yes, I do believe that because Howard’s nursing program is pretty accredited. So I do feel like I will get I will learn a lot from there but I do realize that DC is very it’s very more like political and most people go there because of the politics. But I do think I will actually learn a lot from nursing down there.
Kamila
And let’s move let’s move on a little bit on to like just a little bit about your you know, college life because hasn’t really started so far and we don’t know how it’s going to be but did you like pick out a dormer dorm room or anything? Yes, I
Michelle
did pick out a dorm.
Kamila
I see and do you have like your dorm mate ready?
Michelle
Well, due to COVID We’re not gonna have any Roommate, so I’m really stuck in a room by myself.
Kamila
That’s interesting. So they’re basically going to separate everyone.
Michelle
Yes, everyone has their own room.
Kamila
Oh, wow. And you guys, are there going to be any like dining halls or any student activities that are canceled?
Michelle
So our school, they’re very known for their homecoming celebrations that was cancelled this year. And dining options, I really don’t know, because the plan isn’t finalized yet. Which is kind of weird, because school is about to start. But yeah, they weren’t, I don’t think their dining is going to be open. They were talking about doing like a Uber Eats kind of thing where they deliver your food to you. So I basically I feel as if they’re basically saying that we have to stay in our dorms at all times, unless we’re going outside to go walk around or exercise or something like that.
Kamila
Damn, that is like complete isolation.
Michelle
Yes, that’s one thing that I’m actually kind of scared of.
Kamila
Yeah. Oh, and you can’t make do they have like a Facebook page or anything? Have you contacted anyone?
Michelle
Um, we have. We have a group we with? I don’t know if it’s the entire freshman class. But majority of the freshman class is in that group. Me and we do communicate. And we also have a group we with the people who are in our dorm building.
Kamila
I see Oh, my God, I feel so bad for you. And is it only freshmen returning to campus? If they do let you return?
Michelle
So they gave freshmen the priority? Because you know, We’re the youngest on the campuses in our first year. So I believe majority of the people on campus will be freshmen. And I think they chose priority from the lowest grade lowest classification. I think that’s what they did. Well, I
Kamila
really do hope the best for you. I feel so bad, like going into college is so much different than just going into high school or something like that. Yeah. Well, well, we’re coming to an end here. So I want to ask you a couple more questions regarding the college process in general. So do you have any regrets in your college application?
Michelle
One regret I do have is when I first started out in high school, I don’t know if I don’t know what was going on with me. But I was still in middle school mode where, you know, I just, I just felt I think I just took school as if they didn’t count game, like my freshman year, I just felt like, that’s one thing that I will say is that I regret not trying, as well pushing myself as much as I could. In my early years of high school. That’s one thing I do regret.
Kamila
So did your early years. So you said you didn’t really take school seriously in your freshman year. So did that affect your GPA? Overall?
Michelle
It’s significant. It’s significant. Can’t leave? Like I wouldn’t say it hurt me. But there was there was times I do I do see like in the past where I just did the work. And I like I just I settled for a lot of grades that I could have gotten up.
Kamila
But do you have any advice? Any, like precious advice for any college kids now and it doesn’t matter, or high school students right now that are going to, you know, start applying for college? So but what advice do you have in general,
Michelle
the advice I have is really just take it seriously, because it will impact the next four years of your life. And these four years of your life, it really does determine your future. And also, don’t stress yourself out so much. Because everything will be it will be okay. Like everything will work out. That’s one thing I will say don’t worry, don’t stress yourself out so much about college. And also just go go where you want to, if you like if you have your heart set on a college, just go there. That’s really honestly it’s your decision.
Kamila
And she Okay, thank thank you so much for saying that. And I actually have another question that popped up while you were saying that. So you said freshman year affected your GPA. So were there any schools that you wanted to apply to but you didn’t because you thought your GPA was lower than their average?
Michelle
Yes, there. There were a couple of schools that yeah, that that’s how I that shifted me away from other schools that I want to apply to was mainly my GPA and ATT Yes, I wanted to apply to Emory and Emory. And I just felt as if my GPA was too low and my AC t score was it was really it was about thunder. And as well as University of Texas at Austin. That was a that was one of my top schools as well. But I just I didn’t apply because I didn’t feel confident in my applications. They’re school.
Kamila
I see. Well, I’m happy that you got into Howard University. That was your top pick. And I really hope that everything works out for you too. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Well, thank you so much for coming today, Michelle, I again, I hope the best for you. That’s it for my interview with Michelle. I hope you enjoy it and I hope you subscribe because if you subscribe, you’ll get notifications when I release new episodes. But other than that, I hope to see you guys later.
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