Am I on track?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm only going to be a junior in high school this fall, but the 'rents are starting drop the C-word an awful lot. I've taken practice (diagnostic) SAT and ACT tests and have scored 1680 and 25, respectively. My GPA is currently hovering around 3.65 unweighted, but I've shown signs of gradual improvement; I elevated it from 9.6 during first semester to a flat 10 by the end of second semester this past year. I have only taken one AP exam (U.S. History) and scored a 3 on it. I will be taking four more AP courses before I graduate (Government, both English classes, and Statistics). </p>

<p>As for extracurricular activities, I played JV Lacrosse during my freshman and sophomore years. I participated in Key Club briefly during my freshman year, but plan to finish my service requirements this upcoming school year. I have been a contributing writer and designer for my school's award-winning newspaper for a year and plan to hold an editor position as a junior. </p>

<p>I don't know if this matters, but I am also employed out of school.</p>

<p>Based on this information, what should I aim for as I enter my junior year? I would love to raise my SAT score by 200 points or my ACT score by at least three points. Are these unrealistic aspirations? </p>

<p>Since I plan to study journalism in college, I've slowly been compiling a small list of possible choices. I've whittled it down to Loyola University (Chicago), University of Missouri - Columbia, Indiana University, Syracuse University, and my undoubted pipe dream -- Northwestern.</p>

<p>I appreciate any input you guys can give me. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Hi!</p>

<p>You're on track and there's great scope for improvement :D </p>

<p>I think you should definitely try to improve your SAT score. Since you're going into journalism, you should have a really good Critical Reading and Writing score. Raising your SAT score by 200 points is a very realistic dream but you'll have to work for it. :P</p>

<p>Maintain and improve your HS grades. And yes, outside employment is VERY good. My entire commonapp essay was about working at a newspaper for three years and it worked. So make use of those experiences to highlight your abilities in your application package.</p>

<p>It's a good thing you're focused. :D All the very best!</p>

3

<p>When I mentioned outside employment, I meant that I work a minimum-wage job. Is it pretty much mandatory for me to have a newspaper internship under my belt before even applying to those J-schools?</p>

4

<p>Well, any job experience is good if you can write about it! I don't know about the requirements for Journalism. Having an internship is obviously a plus, but I don't think it's necessary..I think school newspaper is good, though. You should really check out the uni websites...or contact some current students?</p>