<p>I'm currently a freshman in an good public high school in NYC called Brooklyn Technical HS. My overall GPA is 97.00, with one course that's weighted as 1.1 (got a 96 in that). My current extra-curriculars are Math team and YEA (young entrepreneur association) both have been for 2 terms. For the summer, I plan on volunteering at a library for 100+ hours. I plan on dropping them next year. Here are my projected statistics for the next few years: 2100+ SAT, 3 Honors 1 AP for Sophomore year, max AP's as possible for Junior like 3, and whatever AP's left for senior year, gpa 100+. For my extracurriculars, I plan on doing NHS (national honors society), track team, student government and maybe some other clubs. </p>
<p>I know this might sound so simple, as you can see all the other applicants here who apply to the ivy leagues are MUCH MUCH better than this, like written books, traveled abroad, and opened large businesses, but do I have a chance? I mean, I don't have time to do any of those things at my school because of the workload. I can't be penalized for doing any of that, right?</p>
<p>So my question is: Am I on the right path so far for Columbia University early decision (not SEAS) for a freshman? Were you like this (or worse or better) when you were a freshman? Give me any advice or anything. Thanks.</p>
<p>Btw, I'm a white Albanian, working class immigrant.</p>
<p>I’m basically the same kind of applicant, albeit with slightly lower stats (90 u.w. gpa) but decent act and sat scores (33/34 and 2100ish) and a relatively tough workload (10 AP’s by graduation and everything else honors). I don’t have many extracurricular activities though, other than varsity track for 3 years and school-related awards, honor societies, and some leadership positions/clubs. Like the OP, I haven’t written any books or traveled to other countries to volunteer or anything like that. Will this sort of applicant have any chance at all at a place like Columbia? I’m also planning on applying ED (to CC), if that matters.</p>
<p>Forget about the library/hospital-type volunteer work and fluff activities. Focus on a few activities, and take charge. Let these activities show your passion towards particular subjects and causes.</p>
<p>Next, show the colleges that you are an effective leader. As a freshman, you’ve got time. As you move towards your senior year, make sure that you show progress towards developing as a leader, first at the school level and then at greater levels of achievement. For example, start with student government at your school, and then work towards leadership in city and state-level Model UN or Congress-type activities.</p>
<p>Does that make sense to you? Good luck to you in high school!</p>
<p>OP: You are too young to be sweating this. Go outside and bounce a ball.</p>
<p>I got into two Ivies this year and never opened a business, wrote a book, or did any other freakishly savant thing. Don’t let the over-achievers on CC intimidate you. The average Ivy student isn’t much different from anyone else, except for maybe having a slightly bigger brain or native intelligence or work ethic. Or a combination of all three. </p>
<p>Here’s all you can do at this point: Take the hardest courseload your school offers (Honors / AP) and do the best you can. Balance your EC’s – try to do some sport, even if it’s badminton or water ballet – and some fine art. Make sure to take the lead on one or more of your EC’s – be the president of the fly-fishing club; vice president of the student council; treasuruer of the Toastmaster’s club. If possible (if funding allows) start a club at your school – similar to starting a business, but much less work. Try to concentrate on volunteerism that actually helps locally. Buy an SAT book (especially the killer CR) and do as best you can on those. Most of this happens automatically. For now, enjoy your summer and make sure to get some sun.</p>
<p>And regarding traveling abroad? Pfffft! All that proves is that you have rich parents. Don’t sweat that. Adcoms are bored to tears by the “As the sun set on the Change Elysse, I noticed the beautiful crimson hue on the Seine, but yet could not shake the feeling that somewhere a child was suffering…”… Garbage. There’s some very cool and interesting and nuanced things happening right in your hometown. Write your essay about that.</p>
<p>I did all the stuff I just wrote above, and it took less energy than one would think. And I had a damn good time in H.S. without freaking out too much.</p>