<p>I'm a sophomore from Long Island, NY. (Irish-American male 1st gen, low-ish income-my mom makes 40k, my dad is disabled and lives with his parents). I go to an average-ranked public high school. At the end of 9th Grade I was ranked 9 out of app. 550.
GPA, uw: 3.8 w: 4.0
I got a 193 on the PSAT
I haven't taken any AP tests yet, this year I'm self-studying Human Geography. 11th Grade I'll probably be taking The following AP's: English Lang, USH, and 12th Grade: Biology, American Gov, Calculus AB, English Lit. And I would like to self-study French, Enviro, and Psychology. </p>
<p>ECs:
Science Olympiad: 3 regional medals (1st, 1st, 3rd), 1 state medal (4th)
Boy Scouts: I'm currently the SPL
Gay-Straight Alliance: I'm currently the treasurer
Environmental Club
Drama Club</p>
<p>I volunteer at a local nature museum every Sunday
I'm in the Audubon Society</p>
<p>Basically, I just want to know if Im on the right track to get accepted to these universities, or do I need to really do more ECs and have a better GPA. </p>
<p>SUNY Binghamton
SUNY Oswego
Rutgers
Georgetown
Rennselaer
Cornell
UPenn
Johns Hopkins
University of Georgia
Ohio State University </p>
<p>You need to show some focus in your ECs. But what I’m saying below is what kind of SAT/ACT score you will need to get into that U:</p>
<p>Binghamton: Safety at 30+/2050+
Oswego: Safety at 28+/1950+
Rutgers SAS/SEBS/MG: Safety at 28+/1950+
Rutgers engineering/business: Safety at 32+/2180+
Rutgers 0-6 PharmD: Match at 32+/2180+, never a safety to anyone
Georgetown: Reach (you might want 31+/2140+)
RPI: Low match at 30+/2050+
Cornell: Reach (you might want 31+/2140+; 34+/2300+ for a high match)
UPenn: Reach (you might want 33+/2230+)
JHU: Reach (33+/2200+ will bring JHU to a high match)
UGA: Safety at 28+/1950+
OSU: Safety at 28+/1950+</p>
<p>You want them to relate to each other more. For example I have a art/editor focus to my ECs so they include several yearbook positions on two yearbooks (including things involving designs/graphics), editor of a third yearbook, past editor of both a local and regional newsletter (I resigned due to the yearbook positions), several art awards/pieces in shows and a part time job creating graphics one summer.</p>
<p>Try doing another science EC or two, that is what you are most focussed on right now. Perhaps volunteer at a hospital or local nonprofit that focusses on helping the environment. This would give you more of a theme and give you the community service you are lacking.</p>
<p>@artsygirl I am not really into “science” per se. I just love birds. 3 of my medals in science Olympiad were in ornithology. The Audubon Society is basically a very big bird-watching club if you didn’t know, and the museum I volunteer at is “adopted” by them. And that’s why I say Cornell is my “dream” school–it’s the world leader in ornithology studies.
BUT I don’t think I want to be an ornithologist. I think I want to be a school superintendent. I honestly have no idea what ECs I could do that are related to that other than job-shadowing which I’m not allowed to do until 11th and 12th Grade.
But my main concern: Do you mean I should stop doing the other ECs like Drama and GSA?</p>
<p>No, you should stay in your other ECs. Basically it is important to have a balance between your focus and other ECs. That being said never quit an EC because you don’t think a college will like/be impressed by it. When it comes to ECs do what you love, but make sure you are doing enough that your ECs won’t limit your college options.</p>
<p>McGill
SUNY Plattsburgh
SUNY Albany
Dickinson
Middlebury
Vassar
Sarah Lawrence </p>
<p>I’ve joined a local anti-racism organisation</p>
<p>And I’ve decided that I want to study French in college…I think I want to be a French teacher first and move up to school superintendent. </p>
<p>And one thing that may make or break my college choice: I really need a scholarship. Maybe not full but I know my family can’t afford to pay for college completely, especially those LAC’s…</p>