<p>My grades aren't especially impressive with a smattering of As, Bs, and Cs. I have a 4.188 weight GPA and 3.36 unweighted. I didn't do too hot freshman or sophomore year. As a matter of fact, I have never got higher than an A in English since entering HS ... ***?</p>
<p>I'm confident about my PSAT and SAT scores though. I'm counting on National Merit recognition. I scored a 211 on an official practice PSAT today, 75 CR, 68 Math, 68 Writing. Florida has a relatively low cutoff (210 last year). Will being a semi-finalist look good? </p>
<p>I'm also going to turn things around junior and senior year, aiming for all As in my courses. </p>
<p>The only problem is that I have no ECs. I did some random stuff in freshman and sophomore year, nothing consistent, and no leadership positions. I'm hoping to tutor history in junior and senior year - I'm pretty good in history. With that, I can say I consistently did something for 2 years. </p>
<p>I just want to get into something a little better than a state university. Possible, or too late? </p>
<p>I'm exerting a ton of pressure on myself since I go to a competitive school. Every other day, I sit next to someone that scored a 2400 on their SAT. Yes, a 2400. I don't know how many times they took it, but they did it and the person is moving to England to attend a special high school. In addition, I personally know two valedictorians. I also know my class' future valedictorian, who also happens to sit next to me in class :(!</p>
<p>Don’t worry too much man. You’re going to go to college if you make an honest effort.
Try and look into yourself and find your passions. Then start looking for ECs that build into those passions.</p>
<p>Trust me, you are not too late to get into a great school. Infact, you aren’t too late for an Ivy League school! </p>
<p>Working hard junior and senior year is very crucial, this will show an upward trend. Don’t worry about your G.P.A</p>
<p>You said your SAT was fine so just raise that but don’t put as much stress on it.</p>
<p>Now, for extracurricular. Find a passion you love, anything and excel in it. Just ask yourself what you love the most and ask yourself how you can turn your passion into something that will benefit your school. Focus solely on this passion and that’s all you need for extra curricular.
Heck, I didn’t find a passion till late junior year!</p>
<p>But like I said, if you show an upward trend (preferably all A’S maybe a b or two here or there) find a passion, write an awesome essay on how you changed throughout the years and Get an awesome sat score (or nevermind if you already have), you aren’t too late for any college in America. Including Harvard.</p>
<p>But please don’t worry about getting into a best of the best college. If you do the best you can do and get a list of colleges that fit you, you will be successful.</p>
<p>Thanks for the encouragement guys!!! I’m going to find my passion and follow it :)! </p>
<p>I talked to my parents, and they told me that yeah, getting in a good school is great, but getting into the right major should be my main goal. Good school, bad major = no job. Average school, good major = good job. 20 years from now, who’s going to care who was valedictorian? At least that’s what they told me.</p>
<p>That’s the spirit!!</p>
<p>Look at J.k rowling or Barack Obama
Obama did drugs and Rowling went to a really really poor college, almost community level.</p>
<p>But nobody cares now</p>
<p>Eminem is a prime example of succeeding against adversity.</p>
<p>He was a white male trying to strive in a Black market. Yet he did it and became the best rapper of all time</p>
<p>^
I bet you had plenty of examples for your SAT essay, didn’t you?</p>
<p>Hell yeah</p>
<p>Finished it with 6 minutes to spare!</p>