<p>It's early in my high school career, but I really would like help on what path I should take to get into an Ivy League school. I have my eyes set on Wharton, and I know the competition is extremely high. I have a 4.0 UW GPA, and my weighted GPA is a 4.72 out of 4.8. I'm also 3rd in my class, and I've taken the most rigorous course load available to me. This year, I've taken Introduction to Business as my elective. In the future, I plan on take Accounting courses 1 through 3. All other electives are going to pertain to business. As far as AP classes go, I will have taken 7 by the end of high school. Currently, I'm in FBLA, SADD, and I'm a peer mediator. I plan on joining another club or two next year. What else should I be doing to accomplish my endeavors? Thanks!</p>
<p>I also plan on getting 300-500 hours of community service done at various places by the end of high school.</p>
<p>fgfsdjfsdf YOU AGAIN.</p>
<p>Your electives don’t really matter much at any university, unless you plan to take ALL accounting/business electives and write on your application that you plan to major in that sort of subject.
Something that’s really nice is if you seem to really care about an extra curricular- like, you just said “I also plan on getting 300-500 hours of community service done at various places by the end of high school.” You don’t seem to care at all about the actual work, only that 500 hours looks nice. Why don’t you try and do something you’re actually interested in?</p>
<p>the best thing I can tell you, as someone who just ea’d to Harvard, is what I wish I’d done:
taken a try-anything attitude and really found out who I am and what I love, even if I didn’t figure that out until senior year. I got myself into trouble trying to lock myself into a few specialties early, then realizing I didn’t actually like those things as much as I’d thought I did.</p>
<p>So at least give yourself freshman and sophomore year to try new things without worrying about how it will look or whether you’ll suck at them or what. If someone puts an opportunity in front of you, just go for it. go to the first club meeting for everything then stick with what feels right. try out for sports teams even if you’re sure you won’t make them. Get yourself out of your comfort zone, build relationships with the teachers you consider interesting people rather than those most likely to help you get in, make friends, and have fun.</p>
<p>Focus less on college. I think the best way to get in is to let college admissions come secondary to being true to yourself, because admissions committees see that. My friends who have truly genuinely cared about stuff, made some mistakes, and not been college-obsessed got into better schools 90% of the time. Once you’re four days from finding out from your dream school, you’ll feel so much better knowing that even if you don’t get in, your four years were well spent, rather than strategically planned towards achieving a goal that’s out of your hands.</p>
<p>Milkyway531- Thank you so much for your advice! You are extremely right that I should be completing my volunteer hours at places that I actually have an interest in. I shouldn’t just do the 500 hour for college if I don’t have the slightest interest in what I’m doing. Also, I am planning on majoring in finance/accounting, so I feel it’d be advantageous to take these courses. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Lilybilly- Thanks for your reply! Your advice is extremely valuable. I need to start realizing that at the end of my high school career, if I don’t feel like I’ve taken advantage of opportunities that are “risky,” I’ll be very dissatisfied. I should look back at my years fondly and be content that I pursued what I was interested in and took risks. Thanks again! And I hope you get into Harvard!</p>
<p>It is more advantageous to take AP classes than to take elective business classes</p>
<p>Barrk123 - Thanks for the reply! I intend to take 7 AP courses, which are the maximum amount of AP courses my school offers. I’ll be taking those elective in addition to the AP courses. I’ve contemplated self studying an AP or two, but it seems too difficult.</p>
<p>oh ok then never mind</p>
<p>No matter what you do, there’s a decent chance you’ll get declined. Not to be harsh, but it’s just the reality. You probably don’t want to think about it now, but you may have to settle on a ‘lesser’ school, such as Umich or UVA. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Pat1120 - Yeah, I know. 
But I’m in the same boat as so many other people so there’s really nothing I can do about it but try my best.</p>
<p>It helps so much if you do some kind of art or music, because then you can submit the Common App Arts supplement. It really sets you apart from other candidates… it’s almost as if you’re saying “I can do everything academically and on top of it I’m also an amazing artist/dancer/singer/musician/filmaker etc.” It’s one of the most straight forward “hooks” you can do and it gives the college such a personal look at who you are, because it goes beyond numbers and letters on a paper.
I know this probably won’t work unless you’re interested in something arts-related, but even if you just like photography it could strengthen your application so much. Especially if you are like me, and want to minor in something arts related!</p>
<p>Just do the things that you like and are passionate about and try to be the best in them.</p>
<p>have fun. no i dont mean party all day.
take what you think you should take and take them well. (love the words?)
Don’t overkill yourself and perhaps be devastated during app season because there is still no guarantee of any acceptance to any colleges for X amount of APs/GPA/EC’s etc! Enjoy high school, you get to do it once.</p>
<p>The Ivy League, particularly Wharton, is so competitive that they there is nothing specific you can do that will get you accepted short of asking your parents to send in a check for $10 million. Just keep your grades up and fulfill your interests and passion and all you can do is maximize your chances and hope for the best.</p>