Video Title: Ask Coach Tony Anything
Video ID: mTJ--Fzsxio
Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTJ--Fzsxio
Export Date: 2026-01-15 04:21:10
Channel: College Admissions Counselors - egelloC 
Format: markdown
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**Navigating College Admissions: Expert Q&A with Coach Tony**

As the college application season approaches, students and parents alike face a myriad of questions about how to best prepare for college admissions, what courses to take, how many schools to apply to, and much more. Recently, Coach Tony from Eagle Lock (college spelled backwards!)—a former UC Berkeley admissions reader and UCLA director—hosted an extensive live Q&A session, sharing insider tips and answering key questions from students across multiple platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Here’s a comprehensive summary of his invaluable advice to help you and your family navigate the college admissions process with confidence.

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### How Many Colleges Should You Apply To?

There’s no one-size-fits-all number, but typically students apply to **10–15 colleges** to strike a balanced college list. Your list should include:

- **Reach schools**: Colleges where admission is less certain (GPA below school average or acceptance rate below 20%)
- **Target schools**: Colleges where your GPA and test scores closely match the average admitted student
- **Safety schools**: Colleges where your GPA and test scores exceed the average admitted student

It’s important to have a healthy mix of all three to maximize your chances. While some students apply to many schools (Coach Tony mentioned a student who applied to 47!), this is generally not recommended due to the workload, especially the essays involved.

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### Best Science Classes for Aspiring Medical Students

If you’re a junior aiming for a medical career, focus on biological sciences such as:

- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Environmental Science

Physics is more geared toward engineering students but can be taken optionally. Additionally, **math is critical**—aim to complete at least Calculus BC, and if possible, take Calculus 3 or higher. If you feel behind, summer classes are a great way to catch up.

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### Choosing Activities: Varsity Basketball or Musical?

Coach Tony’s top tip: **Don’t do activities just because they look good on college applications.** Instead, pursue activities you genuinely enjoy. Colleges care more about your passion and commitment than the specific activity. Also, balance your extracurriculars between things you love and those related to your intended major or career interests.

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### Dual Enrollment and Transfer Admissions

Many students take college courses (dual enrollment) while in high school to earn credits or even an Associate’s degree. Whether you apply as a **first-year or transfer student** depends on your timeline:

- If you graduate high school, then take college courses before applying, you’re a transfer student.
- If you apply to college while still in high school, even with college credits, you apply as a first-year student.

The transfer pathway typically involves attending community college for two years, then transferring to a four-year institution to complete your degree.

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### Using AP Credits and College Courses for UC and CSU Requirements

AP exam scores (typically 4 or 5) can often be used to meet college credit or graduation requirements, but policies vary by school. Some colleges require higher scores than others to grant credit. It’s important to **double-check each college’s AP credit policy**. Also, taking both AP courses and college classes shows strong academic rigor, which admissions officers appreciate.

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### When Should You Take the SAT?

For classes like the Class of 2028 (currently sophomores):

- **9th grade**: No need to study or take the SAT yet.
- **10th grade**: Take the PSAT as a baseline, no need to study intensively.
- **11th grade**: Take the PSAT seriously as it can qualify you for National Merit Scholarships. This is also the time to take the SAT or ACT if required by your target schools.

Understand your schools’ **testing policies**:

- **Test Required**: Schools like Stanford require scores.
- **Test Optional**: Majority of schools allow you to submit scores if you want, but don’t penalize if you don’t.
- **Test Blind**: Schools like UCs and Cal States don’t consider test scores at all.

If you decide to study for the SAT/ACT, focus on a short, intense period (around 8 weeks). Remember, a perfect score isn’t necessary to get into top schools.

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### Maximizing Your Summer Internship Experience

If your summer internship involves mostly observation or attending meetings with limited hands-on projects, be proactive:

- Reach out to colleagues and ask how you can contribute.
- Take initiative to help with small tasks.
- Use this experience to learn about workplace dynamics and professional communication.

What matters most in your application and essays is **what you learned and how the experience shaped you**, not just the tasks you performed.

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### Filling Out the UC Application’s Activity Section

The UC application allows up to 20 activity slots across six categories:

1. Extracurricular Activities
2. Awards and Honors
3. Educational Prep Programs
4. Volunteer and Community Service
5. Work Experience
6. Additional Coursework

You can describe different aspects of one activity in multiple categories—for example, leadership in a club (extracurricular), awards won from that club (awards), and service projects you participated in (volunteering). This helps fully showcase your involvement and achievements.

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### Understanding Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC)

California students in the **top 9% of their high school or state** may qualify for guaranteed admission to some UC campuses under the ELC program. However, this guarantee is contingent on space availability and does not guarantee admission to the most competitive campuses like UCLA or Berkeley.

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### How to Choose Classes Each Year in High School

Your course selection should be based on:

- Your **target colleges** (top-ranked colleges require more rigorous courses)
- Your intended **major or pathway** (e.g., engineering, sciences, humanities)
- Your **current grade level**

**General guidance:**

- **9th grade**: Maximize rigor with honors classes if available. Consider starting dual enrollment to earn college credits early.
- **10th grade**: Begin AP classes relevant to your intended field.
- **11th grade**: Continue AP classes; take advantage of summer courses to boost your transcript.
- **12th grade**: Maintain rigor; colleges will see your senior year course load but usually not final grades.

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### Final Thoughts

Coach Tony emphasizes the importance of **strategic planning, balancing rigor with well-rounded activities, and focusing on what you enjoy**. College admissions are holistic, and your passion, growth, and commitment often matter more than just grades or test scores.

For more personalized advice or to submit questions, visit EagleLock.com/AskCony.

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**Stay tuned for more Q&A sessions and helpful tips from Coach Tony and the Eagle Lock team!**

*Did you find this guide helpful? Drop a comment or share your questions below!*