<p>I'd just like to know where I'm standing now. I'm a sophomore. </p>
<p>academics:
-GPA: so far 4.0
-PSAT: 2040, though I have scored 2100+ on practice exams and I am confident I can bring it up to a 2200-2300 by junior year
-AP's: Chinese in freshman year (5), taking Psychology and Human Geography this year, taking AP Chem, APUSH, and AP English Lang (maybe French) in junior year.
-ACT: haven't taken it yet although I will.</p>
<p>I'm not too worried about my academics, but I'm not sure if my extracurriculars so far really add up.</p>
<p>I've been doing a couple internships but I won't get into too much detail about them.</p>
<p>Middle of 9th grade, continuing in 10th grade: marketing intern at an adult school, initiated school newsletter as a marketing tool for students</p>
<p>Summer going into 10th grade: 2 internships in Shanghai, one at a luxury PR firm, another at the Los Angeles tourism office, did more writing (focus is obviously on marketing/pr here). Plan on continuing internships through next year.</p>
<p>My main concern is that my EC's aren't school wide. Counselors always say it's better to get out into the real world but I'm not interested in any one club at school and I'm not interested in starting my own. Opinions? Thanks</p>
<p>Your internships are amazing. I suspect they may be due to family contacts? Nothing wrong with that. Contacts are extremely influential in finding employment.</p>
<p>I think the obvious weakness is that lack of school/personal ECs. There’s no sense of a human. Someone with interests who’s able to interact positively with fellow students and contribute something to the school community. Your lack of inclination to start a club when the pre-existing clubs don’t interest you suggests a lack of interest/care for your own social needs and those of your fellow student. You don’t have to start a club all on your own. You get a team of like minds together. </p>
<p>How do you like to relax? Do any social or environmental causes stir you? If you had $100 to donate to 1 charity, what would you choose? </p>
<p>Outside of school, given you’re quite a results orientated person, have you looked into the Boy Scouts, Red Cross, JROTC, a Church Scout equivalent? You might feel more at home with a bit more discipline? It doesn’t matter if you’re starting a year or two after most of the others. As long as you can get a year or two out of it.</p>
<p>It’s a good time in your life to start thinking of yourself as something beyond an academic high achiever who’s on the fast track to a great career. What will you talk about with clients on social nights out? How will you attract friends who you don’t work with? What sport/sports will you have to keep mentally and physically in top form when you’re working long hours in a stressful environment?</p>