Am I on the right track? Please add suggestions. [Going into Junior Year next year]

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Although it is a bit early as a sophomore to be looking deeply into colleges, I have began to look at my possible options.
I know having a “dream” school is bad, but I’ve always loved the University of Notre Dame. Grew up with watching Notre Dame on the TV whenever they played. Others schools I have looked at include SDSU, University of Miami, and University of Washington.

My high school is very rigorous and they do not allow students to take any AP classes freshmen year. This year I took AP Bio along with a hard Honors English class (Again, no AP class). The only other AP they offer is AP Euro which is notoriously hard and having a brother who took the class a few years ago, my parents urged me not to. Next year I hope to take,

AP English
APUSH
AP Psych/Wood (semester classes) / Wind Ensemble (H) <---- depends if I decide to continue band. Still thinking
Chemistry (H)
Spanish 3 (H)
Math Analysis (Pre-Calc) (CP)
Athletic Training II

  • Both Chemistry and Spanish 3 are weighted as AP Classes*

Freshmen year I received all A’s. Taking the one honors class we could.
I received one B in AP Bio last semester and probably will this semester. So weighted GPA = 4.0 and unweighted = 3.93

My extracurriculars are good, but could be better I think. I wanted to get an internship this summer, but unfortunately my summer is cut by 2 weeks (school district is switching schedules) and I am out of town for much of it.

I have volunteered for the last 3 years at a local sports camp. I also VERY active in my catholic church, getting confirmed this year. Went on a mission trip to Montana to help the poor last year, and plan to go on 2 more. I am going to be leader for Junior and senior year as well. I play club soccer + high school and hold a leadership position in a club at school.

I am also half hispanic, with a hispanic last name if that means anything.

My goal is to major in something with business. Any tips for EC’s? PLEASE be honest, it can only help me. I will take any suggestions that are given and look into them.

Thanks so much in advance.

2

How is it “bad” to have a dream school? I think having one makes you that much more motivated to do well in school. Anyway, you definitely seem to be on the right track. But if you want to major in business, you might want to look into summer opportunities and EC’s that show your interest in business. Even though you’ll be busy this summer, it may help to look at things going on that you can plan to do the summer before senior year so that you’ll be able to have everything planned out and organized for the future

3

Thanks evanian. And the reason I say it’s “bad” is because I always read you cannot get attached or whatnot because for me, I think ND would be a reach. But I do agree that it helps motivate. I have been driven a lot by myself to reach my future goals, that being ND.

4

You are on track. Need to get a bunch of As from here on out though, and really, you should strive for all As. Fine to have a dream school. Really investigate it though and make sure it really is a dream school and not just a dream from your younger self.

You need to ascertain: Does it have the major you want, is the cost acceptable, do you like the dining options and the housing options, do you think you will like the students who attend there? And on and on and on.

Good luck.

5

Thanks @stepay‌. AP Bio is just a killer for me because we only have 2 tests per semester plus a final. It’s hard to raise your grade when it’s that way. I’ll probably end with a B again, but I feel with an easier science class next year I can get all A’s.

6

Thanks for clarifying; I agree that getting too attached can be negative in the long run, but the motivation it gives you can only help you as you continue school and taking harder and harder classes. Forgot to put it on my last post, but good luck!