Advice/ Chances so far

<p>Hey guys, first time posting on here. I was recently ranked 22/388 as a sophomore. However, this year I jumped up to 8/388 (Now I am a junior). Originally, I had planned to ride on the Texas Top 10% Law to UT, but now I think that I am in a realistic class rank for better schools that I wouldn't have considered otherwise. I have looked around this site for a better place to post this but I couldn't really find one. I was just wondering if you think I have a chance at USC (top pick cali), Johns Hopkins ED, and Vandy. If not, some advice on how to improve this year would really help :)
Also, if I am posting in the wrong area, please tell me so I can post this somewhere else.</p>

<p>Junior
Rank: 8/388
GPA: 4.00 uw / ??? weighted (all A's)
White Male, Public High School
Loc: North Texas
-ACT: Haven't taken yet
-SAT: Haven't taken yet (I have study books, been studying)
-SATII: Planning to take MathII and a BioE or M (Don't know yet)</p>

<p>Courseload:
-Freshman: 4 PreAPs (Cores), required health/speech, Spanish I, top band, top jazz band
-Sophomore: 5 PreAPs (extra is comp sci), top band, top jazz band, Spanish II
-Currently taking: AP Bio, AP CompSci, AP EngComp, PreAPPrecal, PreAP Physics, Leave Early (jazz band last period, lowers GPA)
--Pretty much the most challenging courses offered...</p>

<p>Extra Stuff:
-Duke TIP Summer Studies - 7th grade/ intro to medsci, 8th grade/ nanotechnology
-NHS
-TriM Equipment Manager for the band (probably section leader next year)
-Spanish Club
-Region Band/ Area Competitions (trumpet)
-Jazz Region Band
-Volunteer for Sertoma (helping deaf and blind)
-Took a community college course (US Hist, to double up on sciences this year)
-Freshman year I worked as a soccer referee :P</p>

<p>I know this is pretty weak compared to most of the people on here, but I would just like some honest opinions and advice. (Or if I am posting in the wrong place)</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Congrats on your ranking! ED is always a good idea in my opinion. Stick with that and make sure you’re prepared to apply before November.</p>

<p>The majority of applicants on CC are brilliant- national/international awards, 2100-2400 SATs, etc. Do not let that intimidate you. Make sure you don’t say no to an opportunity and strengthen the extra curriculars that you love and are good at. That way, when you apply, they can add volume to the person you are.</p>

<p>There isn’t a lot of space on the application to make yourself shine so ensure the things you put down (even if it is just a few things) are of weight. But well done- you’re on the right track!! Keep your GPA up and try your best on your SATs! :)</p>