<p>Hey my name is Ashley and I'm 15 years old. </p>
<p>Recently Ive been beginning to worry about college. Im only a sophomore in high school, but I have high hopes and dreams. I put my best efforts in my schoolwork, and try to get involved with as many extra curricular activities as I can. Looking at different sites I begin to worry about my future possible acceptance into Yale or Harvard. My freshmen year was average, not that great, difficult transition. My first semester of sophomore year has been pleasant. But now and forward, I know I will give up socializing, just to keep my grades up, and get a high GPA. I haven't taken any SAT's, but I have taken the PSAT. Also, I have played piano for 7 years, I dance, cross country jv, swim varsity, and am the president of a club at my school. Also I started my own organization of helping children in India, and traveling there every summer to aide the slums. So far, do you all think this is enough? Please comments, advice? </p>
<p>“are these enough” Like your advice to the Head Boy “chance me” person – who is to know? But this I do know. Your planning a list of accomplishments is typical of many who eventually apply to schools such as Y and H. </p>
<p>The ironic thing is that this strategy is very short-sighted and ultimately, will lead most if not all to disappointment. You see, at the level of HYPMS, the ones who get accepted are applicants who accomplish many notable things (such as remarkable ECs, super academics or demonstrate eye-popping potential) because that is inherently who those people are – and not a list of items on a resume list.</p>
<p>I would advise you not focus on a list of items but rather look to people in your school who are leaders by example of their academic prowess (and the ability to enhance others) or outstanding leadership (and their ability to enhance others). Students/parents/school administrators mistakenly think if that admission to top schools is some sort of “arms race” to beef up an EC sheet.</p>
<p>It’s not to look influential or look academically astounding – it’s to be inluential and to be academically astounding. It’s not doing what you’re doing to be counted as a “winner” at the end with an HYPMS acceptance – you should become a true learner and woman of influence – not a chaser of a “school name”. Frankly, most people who are accepted to those schools can do without them – they are already that self-assured and confident and already on that path. That’s the irony.</p>
<p>There’s no forumla. I’d just say it’s recognizable when it’s encountered. And it’s equally recognizable when it’s absent. As for “giving up socializing” to keep your GPA up – I’m not sure if you’re implying that you partied too much before. But I know that viable HYPMS applicants keep their GPA up while simultaneously being around and influencing many others around them with ease and aplomb. Try not to focus on items/achievements but rather transforming yourself. Good luck.</p>
<p>In addition to T26E4’s wise words, let me add that students who fixate on the Ivies, are missing the fact that although these schools were ‘the educators of the elite’ 50+ years ago, there are now dozens of competitors for that title. Look at the top 20 Liberal Arts Colleges (schools like Williams, Pomona, Bowdoin, Amherst, Swarthmore, Haverford, Carleton, Vassar, Oberlin, Grinnell, etc…) Look at the top ranked public universities. Look at the top 20 private colleges (and 20 is an arbitrary cut-off, by the way. #30 on each of these lists is also an excellent school.) The Honors Colleges at many State Us attract and challenge the caliber of student who could easily get accepted to a top-ranked school, but doesn’t want to spend that kind of money (because all these schools are horrifically expensive for all but the wealthy.)</p>
<p>The other place to start your search is with a discussion with your parents about what they can afford. Many students with ‘Ivy Dreams’ discover that $50k p.a. just isn’t in the cards and even if they qualify for financial aid, it won’t be enough given their family’s other obligations. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment by not having done that part of the homework.</p>
<p>Thanks for the comments M’s Mom. I would only modify one thought:“because all these schools are horrifically expensive for all but the wealthy”</p>
<p>Some of these are in the stratosphere of super-generous financial aid and actually are very affordable for the middle class. HYP, williams amherst off the top of my head.</p>
<p>But I can’t second enough the advice about the masses who limit themselves to 8 + one of two more schools due to name recognition – and fail to have even the slightest idea of the great education cornucopia extant. To be top scholars but to fall dramatically short in college searching due to some list of so-called prestige schools as declared on high by a magazine – is constantly startling.</p>
<p>From memory: I can probably spout off 40 colleges that I’d be ecstatic if my straight A, IB diploma, uber-athlete daughter would go and attend – even though I’m an HYP alum.</p>
<p>Ashley: At this stage of your life, I think it is more about exploring and discovering what you enjoy doing, what are your passions, what are the things you enjoy and do well; what are the things you may enjoy and would like to do better; what are the things you do out of a sense of duty; what would you avoid doing no matter what the pay or benefit. You’ll continue that process through college and as an adult (I have college-age children but still have much to figure out for myself).</p>
<p>Grades, SAT scores, and ECs are important markers in the college admission process, but are not be-alls in and of themselves. Admission to HYP is an admirable goal, but goals may change and the competition at that level is so intense (10% +/- admission rates) that many, many very-qualified candidates receive the dread rejection notice. Those students go on to attend a very fine school and have successful lives. T26E4 and M’sMom have excellent advice I fully second.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice everyone. Reading this has really helped broaden my perspective of what I should be doing. Thank you so much! You are all so helpful!</p>