Any advice?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
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<p>I'm currently a freshmen in high school. I have gotten straight A's my whole life, except for 7th grade when I got B's and C's. I took the SAT's in seventh grade as a part of Duke Tip.</p>

<p>My SAT scores:
Critical Reading: 530
Math:400
Writing:530
My essay score out of 12: 8</p>

<p>Those were really bad, but I'm hoping when I take the SAT's again junior year, my scores will be much better. </p>

<p>My high school uses block scheduling, which basically means that I have four different classes each semester. So far, in my opinion I've tanked freshmen year. Last semester, I took:</p>

<p>-Honors English 1: got a 92
-Honors Algebra 1: got a 91
-Speech: got a 92
-Health/Gym: got a 92</p>

<p>Where, I live an A is a 93 or above. So, I recieved B's in all my classes last semester. So far, because of that, my current weighted gpa is a 3.25. I'm currently ranked 256 out a body of 658. </p>

<p>This semester I am taking:</p>

<p>-Algebra 2
-Honors Biology
-Honors World History
-Journalism</p>

<p>I have no idea what my grades in those classes are right now. </p>

<p>Over the summer, I will hopefully be able to take Honors Geometry or Spanish 1 online. I will recieve credit for taking an online course.</p>

<p>I don't have a strong foundation extracurricular wise. I'm definitely not athletically/musically/artisitically inclined, which is a bummer. </p>

<p>Current/Future/Past extracurriculars:
-Active member of Key Club(running for Public Relations/Project Manager)
-Active member of my communitie's teen council
-A friend and I during the fourth grade started a community/school fundraiser, and raised over $4,000 for the victims of the 2004 tsunami
- Joining Spanish club next year, and hoping to run for Vice President
- Will be volunteering at a local hospital afterschool starting from next year, and during the summers.</p>

<p>I really, really want to become a doctor of some sort because I am interested in helping people in any way possible. I live in North Carolina, and due to finances, I will only be able to go to a public school in NC. UNC is nationally ranked, and one of the top Pre Med schools in the country. Is there any way I would be able to get in? Any extracurriculars I could do? Any advice for the rest of high school? Thank you. :)</p>

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<p>Come back in two years, A LOT can change between now and when it is time to apply, just focus on enjoying high school. </p>

<p>Also, for the most part colleges don’t care about what you did in elementary/ middle school. You will have to take the SAT again, and while what you did in Grade 4 might be a good essay topic, you won’t be able to include it on your activities, since they only ask for high school.</p>

<p>Again, YOU’RE A FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL, wait a few years and then come back, and please, just try to enjoy high school.</p>

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<p>While I agree that as a freshman you should be enjoying yourself, countless people come back and post on these boards that they wish they had been more tuned in earlier (i.e. before their senior year). So while yes, you should have fun, I don’t blame you for wanting to prepare yourself – you have an idea of what you want and now is a great time to lay the foundation (as opposed to trying to get your crap together 1st semester of senior year).</p>

<p>As far as your grades, though it sounds like you’re on a more difficult grading scale, really do your best to get your grades up to A-'s or A’s. Freshman year is kind of a weird year – most people I know usually do their worst that year (I did), and while that’s not the case for everyone, you’re getting your bearings. So come back strongly next year, take advanced classes, and classes that interest you. Also, set specific goals (like, a 3.5 GPA or top 20%, something tangible to work towards). Though you’re in-state, you still need a solid GPA/ranking for UNC admissions!</p>

<p>As far as scores, there’s nothing really that you can do about them at this point in time. I’d worry about those a little further down the road and really focus now on things that are happening… well… now!</p>

<p>Okay, my favorite topic, extracurricular activites!!!
If you think there is a “right” activity to have, or that you can’t have a good activity-resume without a certain set of skills (athleticism, artistic ability) then we need to get those ideas out of your head RIGHT NOW. There is no “right” activity. In fact, I like to think that with admissions to top schools, the more unusual, the better. (Think about how many student council presidents they see, etc. – these are GREAT activities, but don’t think that you have to stick to the norm). This is the best time to start thinking about what interests you (you’re not bogged down, you can join now and still be considered for leadership, etc.). Consider trying things outside of school, if there’s something really weird or unusual that interests you (this could be ANYTHING, an academic, some form of collecting, some unusual sport, building things, i don’t know, ANYTHING) try pursuing it outside of school or getting a club started for it. Based on what I see (and I know I’m not right about everything) it is oftentimes better (in the eyes of admissions) to be extremely focused and successful in one area as opposed to spreading yourself out more thinly and dabbling in multiple things. In other words, dedication over variety, quality over quantity, you get it. So think about what you like, put time into it, and see where it takes you! That tsuami thing is a great point but as TonyBallioni points out, admissions officers care about things DONE IN HIGH SCHOOL. So focus on doing more great things like that NOW. :)</p>

<p>My advice to you would probably be remain flexible. It’s great that you have a path decided now, but… most people change quite a bit between their freshman and senior year, so just stay open to change. A school like UNC is great because you know they’re pretty much going to be strong across the board.</p>

<p>Best of luck, if you have any questions feel free to message me or whatever… I hope my post helped!</p>

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<p>@TonyBallioni: Wow, I never realized that stuff you did before high school doesn’t count. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind! Thanks:)</p>

<p>@gc414: I never expected to get a response that would be as informational as yours. You raised several good points about freshmen year, and I never really thought of setting goals like aiming to be in the top 20% before. There are activites that I am interested in that I will hopefully try to start a club for after your advice. Your post has helped me tremendously. Thank you:)</p>