Advice on next steps to success, please.

<p>I am currently a high school freshman at a vocational-technical school (which requires an exam for admission), in the allied health program. My school does not rank, nor does it release QPA (quality point average) until June, but I am a pretty good student with mostly A's and around 2 B's. My question is; what should I do to build up my high school resume for the top colleges in the future? For example: what extra curricular's should I take, summer programs, classes, etc.</p>

<p>Anyone? Any input is appreciated!</p>

<p>Here’s one advice that I wish more people would adhere to: Don’t follow a formula. Rather, make your own formula for success; your extracurriculars and community involvement should be unique. Making your own formula will ensure that colleges see a diverse, unique applicant when they look through hundreds of the usual applicants. If you follow this advice, you WILL get into the top schools. That is all.</p>

<p>Thank you. I’ll try to “make my own formula”.</p>

<p>Oh, and you don’t necessarily have to go to one of those vocational schools to do well. From what I heard, they are actually quite formulaic. My opinion, of course.</p>

<p>I know, I realized that after a few months here. They are very formulaic, everything needs to go as planned. Including the fact that almost all the freshman got pushed back into Algebra I, to “develop a basic and stronger structure of Algebra I”.</p>

<p>Yeah, that may be an issue. Will it be possible to take some college classes to get ahead? For example, I took Algebra II over the summer at a local college, and my school let me skip a year and head to precalc. The benefit is that you can take higher level courses, and perhaps AP’s (not sure about the IB system) faster. This will increase the rigor of your curriculum and stand you apart from others. Get it?</p>

<p>Yes, I am taking Geo/Trig this summer, to get into Math Analysis sophomore year. But I realized that people aren’t just ahead through math, they also have other advanced subjects and are in so many extra curricular’s. Not only that, but they also do summer programs and go into national competitions. It seems like everyone’s got an edge, and that’s why I wanted a set formula. You know what I mean? I don’t want to get left behind on this race to the top.</p>

<p>Thanks, but I’m keeping it PG for the sake of my poor parents.</p>