Advice?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>Hey CC. I know I might sound pushy, but I'm 14 and I'm crazy about getting into the Ivy league. Not for the prestige, but because the Ivies have great opportunities after college for a job.</p>

<p>Hi, I'm a high school freshman in USA, midwest.
I'm Korean-American, 14, and came here when I was 3.
First generation in US, but parents went to college in South Korea.
My school is 5A, with 500 kids/class.
4.2 W, 4.0 UW, 1st rank, only freshman in school history with weighted GPA</p>

<p>I'm wondering if any of you Ivy-leaguers could give me tips based on my specs:</p>

<p>SAT (took it in 7th grade, 590 reading, 630 writing, 710 math, 1930 total)
taking SAT again in 2 weeks! :\
ACT (last month on December 10: 32 math and reading, 29 english, 28 science, 30 total)</p>

<p>no AP or SAT 2 tests...yet (taking AP stat./world and SAT 2 world history and SAT 2 math 2 in may/june)</p>

<p>school Schedule
AP World, trig/precalc H, AP statistics, Student Government, Spanish 3 H, English 1 H, Chem H.
Studying AP Bio online.
Freshman class president</p>

<p>Extracurricular
Oncology floor assistant secretary at local hospital
Junior representative of community library.
Tutoring 7-8th grade students in mathcounts
About 250 hours volunteer service
Soon-to-be-eagle scout.
6 years violin. Concertmaster of large in-state orchestra, Western-states Chamber honors orchestra placement
mathcounts team 11th place state
JV football and track
FBLA</p>

<p>self-declared weaknesses: essay writing, critical reading comprehension, arrogance at times
self-declared bonuses: well-rounded, confident, math/science
No decided major yet. Parents always bug me about being a medical doctor, which I might consider</p>

<p>I'm probably missing a few things, but I hope this is enough to put out there...
Please give me advice. Help is really needed, about anything, from SAT 2s to volunteering to sports...anything!</p>

2

<p>First and foremost: SATs have to go way up! Best of luck in 2 weeks.<br>
Eagle scout is good…find some leadership as you continue though (I know it isn’t really possible as a freshman)
Volunteer work helps…can set you apart if you do either something unique or a LOT of it (like 300 or even 500)</p>

3

<p>Chill - unless you plan to graduate early, you have a few more years to worry about getting into an Ivy. Please keep in mind that the admission rate for Ivies and peer schools is around 10% +/-. Even fantastic students don’t get in. And guess what - they go on to have fantastic incredible college experiences and productive lives. </p>

<p>Keep doing what you are doing, and follow some passions and see where they leave. If you feel you are “weak” at something, work at it. Being able to write well is a prized skill at any level. At the most compatitive level, these schools are looking for top students who are passionate about something (which is not the same as that is all they do)! But keep eyes open regarding your regional flagship schools, including the publics - some are excellent and simply lack the pedigree of the Ivies.</p>

<p>Oh, keep it up on earning Eagle Scout - if you haven’t started the paperwork, that is more work it seems than the actual project. At least you don’t have the age-out clock ticking! As a Scout leader and father of an Eagle, I will tell you that is an accomplishment that will stay with you for a lifetime. Good luck.</p>

4

<p>My advice? As a Princeton alum, I’d advise you to calm down and forget that colleges exist for the next however long. Keep your grades up and find something that you enjoy doing that you’re passionate about. Be a kid, and stop worrying. Seriously.</p>

5

<p>Good predictor of future success: which schools you apply to. Not really which schools you get into.</p>

<p>So, yeah, going to echo the above posters: calm down. :)</p>

6

<p>I would forget about college for a while. What’s the rush with taking SATs and ACTs anyway? You’re still a freshman. </p>

<p>Relax, and do your best with your academics. And try to develop a passion for certain ECs. Regarding your violin talents, I would try and see if you can go national with it. </p>

<p>Keep exploring yourself, you have time. </p>

<p>Oh, stay away from CC if that makes you nervous about college.</p>