Beefing up the College App?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hey to anyone who can help me out! I'm aiming to go to a good college (who isn't?), But I'm a hard worker. I've been dealing with a lot the past two years, so now I need to step it up. I'm currently a Sophomore in High school, and I'm looking to apply to Stanford. My grades are not the best, but I'm hoping to win Stanford over with some extracurriculars and an awesome SAT score (I'm planning to hardcore study this summer).</p>

<p>I'm taking only three honors classes, and have a weighted GPA of 3.86. I realize that I'm not the ideal Stanford student, but I'm going to work harder this year. </p>

<p>I have no idea what I'm going to major in yet, because I'm a person who sincerely has an interest in every aspect of the world. </p>

<p>Here a list of things I do so far:
-Animal awareness club
-JAC club
-Choir
-Chess Club
-Basketball Team
-Varsity Lacrosse </p>

<p>This summer I'm going to:
-Volunteer at the hospital
-Get a job
-Take EMT classes to pursue being an EMT</p>

<p>(Next year I'll be in the National Honor society) </p>

<p>Other interests I have:
-Music: Piano (6 years), Guitar, Violin</p>

<p>I know I'm behind but please help me out, by suggesting some other things for me to do/accomplish and how to do them.</p>

<p>(Should I do Model UN, or how can I get into more honor societies, etc. I'm looking to join more academic clubs/societies?)</p>

<p>I was going to start a music youth program at my local library for piano, but I wasn't sure what to say my motivation was if a college asked me. (I learned the violin through a music class started by a high school student at a library in another town.) </p>

<p>I know colleges are looking for big accomplishments and creativity, but I'm just lost right now, there's so much to do and so little time (even in my daily schedule).</p>

<p>Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated! </p>

2

<p>To be specific, are there any extra things I could do over the summer? </p>

3

<p>You’re taking the wrong approach. Quality trumps quantity in college admissions, so ditch the clubs you aren’t really passionate about and excel in the ones you really care about.</p>

4

<p>I am going through a similar process right now!</p>

<p>I would focus on finding something that you are passionate about and developing that interest. I think that AP’s are a good way to explore different areas more in depth and you get to work with some great teachers! I would also work on creating your own clubs or groups to show that you have leadership abilities. Once you find out which major you would like to go into, then you can explore the surplus of summer programs and internships!!</p>

<p>Good luck :)</p>

5

<p>I realize that I have to find a passion, but I honestly don’t have a passion in anything. I love acting, music, sports, I just never found anything I excel in. (This is something I’m really struggling with).</p>

<p>Rstein3- I’m thinking of going into pharmaceutical cosmetics if I don’t find anything I’m really passionate about. Would taking Honors chem AND then AP chem be a waste of classes? (I’m in CP chem because I wasn’t in a high enough math class to be in honors chem this year, but now I’m taking two math classes to make up for it, and will be going into honors math next year.) </p>

6

<p>Considering that you have to find passion, maybe right now could be a good time for you to explore different things, while you’re still in high school. When you find something that you know you have an absolute passion for, jump on it. But until then, I would keep doing what interests you. </p>

<p>I think you could always attempt to start a club. Based on your lack of particular interest, I think it would be really cool for you to start a club revolving around trying to find interest through meddling in different things. Students that don’t know what they want to go into could take field trips or participate in activities in different fields and areas, like science labs, art projects, etc. (That’s just an idea, I always thought something like that would be cool.)</p>

7

<p>@awakeningvenus‌ I looooove your idea for a club!!!</p>

<p>@‌redsnow my motto is that you can never take too many AP’s!!</p>

8

<p>@rstein3‌ I always thought it would be a really fun opportunity! I mean, even for people that are /pretty sure/ they know what they want to go into when they grow older, getting the opportunity to explore different things can make a really big difference. I would love to be able to try something new each week.</p>

9

<p>I’m actually in love with this idea! I’m just not sure how to execute it, because most clubs in my school have to do with volunteering, and I’m sure where we we get the funding. But do you guys some ideas of what activities to do?</p>