<p>I am currently a sophomore at Stuy in NYC. Lately the push to start thinking about college has recently began to overwhelm me. It started off with my sister starting over her send yr at JHU BME and then my peers' parents signing them up for classes/volunteer centers. Yale has always been the school I wanted to attend, with Duke and JHU following. I have been checking out the "chance" threads on all colleges lately and I basically see the same items: great GPAs, outstanding standardized test scores lots of EC. However, what can I do, as a high school student to stand out? Because I'm sure out of the 15,000 + students who apply to Yale, more than half of them have as great, and if not better grades than me. </p>
<p>I attended a full scholarship, international leadership camp in up state NY (Camp Rising Sun), volunteer at hospitals, trying to receive science research internships in either Cornell and Columbia over Summer '08 (which I'm looking forward to doing because it would be such a good experience for me to even see if I want to pursue a degree in health care services)and courses at Harvard Summer School. (I want to experience the college life. Living on campus. Being away from home to grow independent) I have dedicated my lunch period to volunteering at my school's Physics Labs and this year, Chemistry. I have and will continue taking classes at the American Museum of Natural History. I want to start a Polish culture club at my school and hopefully join the Fencing Team this spring. I want to take College Now classes, this semester and if not next semester. </p>
<p>I have taken honor classes and as much AP courses that I am allowed to take and feel comfortable taking, without my GPA completely plummeting.</p>
<p>However, I feel as though I am just another any other one of the pool of candidates that will apply in my year. What can set me apart and let me stand out? How can I uniquely demonstrate my passion for learning and determination to continue my education? </p>
<p>Any advice is appreciated.</p>