Am I on the right track/ Advice

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I'm a sophomore in high school and I have hopes of becoming either a nuclear engineer or a chemical engineer. I have a 4.0 right now, but because of my english teacher who gave me a 71 on my midterm essays, so my grade will average out to an a-. Does that really affect my college transcript stuff, having like a 3.9 instead of a 4.0, this is unweighted?</p>

<p>I'm Asian
I'm 2nd in a class of 406 or something like that, I get the feeling that my class is pretty dumb.
SAT's - I haven't taken these yet, should I take them this year or wait until next year?
SAT II's - I haven't taken any of these either, should I take them?
AP's - European History and Chemistry, haven't taken the tests yet, next month</p>

<p>EC's
I do Marching Band in the fall
Began Swimming and Tennis this year
I also did some volunteer work over the summer, like 162 hours. I have a question about this too, I talked to my guidance councilor and she said I could get a credit for it, is that what I'm supposed to do with my volunteer hours for colleges to see?
I've also played piano for 8 or 9 years.</p>

<p>I also want to maybe go to like UC Berkeley, which is at the other side of the country, is that not recommended? And how do I get a lot of scholarships, my dad is concerned about money, since we don't make much, 75-100 thousand a year, he works at UB so I guess that could be my back up college with free tuition. So thanks for reading this and maybe answering my questions.</p>

2

<p>Christ you people are getting nervous early about college, and I'm only 2 years out of high school. </p>

<p>Anyway, take the SATs your junior year, spend the time preparing for them thoroughly. I hate to say this, since it appears to reinforce stereotypes, but you're Asian, so I think you'll do fine (I'm Asian too, btw). </p>

<p>Don't worry about crap like comparing a 3.9 to a 4.0, there's no real difference, just keep it up there for the next 2 years. </p>

<p>Go to wherever you feel like, wherever you think your interests will take you. Research the school and find out what they offer, i.e nuclear/chemical science = tech school = MIT, Stanford, Caltech, etc. Do your research.</p>

<p>Overall, I'd say you're a match for UC Berkeley at the rate you're going, but honestly it's a crapshoot when you're a sophomore, a lot could happen in the next 2 years. Don't screw up, do well on everything, write an amazing essay, etc. And relax!</p>

<p>Hope this helps</p>

<p>Do ECs you give a damn about, that you can write an amazing essay on, that will be the tipping point in most cases regarding Ivies or 1st tier colleges. Show that you're unique, and not a stereotype, or at the very least show that you're extremely passionate about what you want to be. Be sincere, don't BS.</p>

<p>Edit: Me: 3.7, 2110, variety of ECs, passionate essay = NYU, CMU</p>