Chance a Current Sophomore/Give Advice for the Future

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi,
Yes, I know that tenth grade is far to early to really chance someone, but I want more advice than actual chancing, as I know chancing me will be difficult. Here's a list of my accomplishments, grades, courses, etc so far. I have a very rigorous schedule, and my junior year schedule will continue that trend. I go to a fairly well-renowned private school in New York, and my current percentile is probably around 25%, but that doesn't include the progress report or (obviously) junior year. Any advice would be greatly appreciated...</p>

<hr>

<p>Freshman Year GPA: 3.42 (Yes, I know this is low, but my dad was battling cancer and that really screwed with my academics.) Plus, I took all honors courses, so that should help a bit, as no AP's are offered freshman year. </p>

<p>Sophomore Year:</p>

<p>1st Semester:
English (H): A-
French (H): A
Science (CP): A
European History (AP): B+
Algebra 2 (H): B+
Bell Choir (Minor): A
GPA: 3.69 UW </p>

<p>2nd Semester (progress report):
English (H): A
French (H): A
Science (CP): A+
European History (AP): A-
Algebra 2 (H): B+</p>

<h2>GPA: 3.82 UW</h2>

<p>I took the ACT in February with little preparation (just a few practice tests), and I scored a 35 Composite (36 Science/35 Math/35 English/32 Reading/11 Writing). I've completed about 100 hours of meaningful community service and am a member of three clubs at school, as well as the varsity tennis team. I also have been working a job for about a year now.</p>

<p>Here's my projected schedule for next year:</p>

<p>AP Psychology (Science)
French 4H (French)
AP US History (History)
Pre-calc H (Math)
AP English Lit and Comp (English)
Microeconomics (Sem 1), Macroeconomics (Sem 2)
Bell Choir</p>

<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.</p>

2

<p>First off your ACT score is set for college, but frankly your GPA isn’t, especially for an elite school (which I’m assuming you’re shooting for based on your stats). Junior year will be harder and hopefully you can ace through it, again only if you’re aiming for HYPSM and such. I don’t see any awards, and 3 “school” e.c. is a bit too low. Try to pick what your passionate about and excel in it, with awards and leadership experience to show for.</p>

3

<p>Join clubs, get leadership positions, get community service hours</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the advice so far… I’m joining Debate and Mock Trial for next year and am definitely going to show an upward trend, and should be VP of one of my three clubs next year. I also forgot to mention that I’m in student government. </p>

<p>As for schools I’m aiming for, I’d say Cornell and top non-Ivies like Wash U, CMU, U Mich, Vanderbilt, etc. Our Ivy percentage is 14.5%.</p>

5

<p>First off, I’d like to say that I’m sorry your dad struggled with cancer. I know how hard that can hit a family, and it’s a shame that you had to experience it so early in your life and during your high school experience. You should be very satisfied that you’ve managed decent enough so far. </p>

<p>And as for your stats and chances, I agree that your ACT is remarkable and that your GPA is lower, but also, it’s important to note that you still have 2 years to work on it. It’s great that you’re getting advice earlier than later. </p>

<p>Definitely become as involved as you can, especially with leadership activities. Student government is great. I was president back in my senior year, and that offered a lot of leadership experience along with volunteering hours and being more comfortable being “in charge.” This will help show colleges that you’re more well-rounded, and it could help buffer your lower GPA. (though it’s not automatic.) </p>

<p>As far as your grades go, really try to bring them up. You’re doing good so far, but it will get harder, especially in college. I know that I initially just tried to approach college like high school, so namely just relying on natural wit. In college, you truly do have to apply yourself more, and being in a private school actually might help you in this area. (I went to a public school in a teeny town, so we didn’t really know what it was like anywhere else in the world, especially at a huge university in the middle of a city.) </p>

<p>Having experience with AP Lit, work on being able to look at any fictional piece of writing and jot down themes and angles within a few minutes. This will actually help you with a lot of other college concepts. It’ll help you skim and pick out what’s important in texts because on an AP exam, you only have time for the important stuff, and in college, you have so much to do that you need to learn how to trim it up a bit. And if you plan on taking AP Calc, please pay attention and remember everything that you are learning NOW. It comes back in Calc with a vengeance, and it lags you behind if you have to review algebra topics while you’re trying to master the Calculus elements. (Speaking from experience here) And as for the AP History classes, just try and have all your information as a type of web that connects to everything. You’ll find it much easier to comprehend and prepare for recitation if you view everything as related and connected by series of events. </p>

<p>If you look up Scott Young, (I think that’s his name, but he’s the guy who took the MIT Challenge if you’d like to check) he can help you adapt to learn in this web-like fashion. He’s a Canadian guy that completed the coursework of an entire 4-year bachelor’s degree from MIT in 1 year using this web method. Plus, he has little tips that are useful for general learning. (Not trying to spam or solicit - he just really helped me out, so I thought I’d share) </p>

<p>Sorry to spit so much info out, but I get the feeling that you’re a really good kid trying to get prepared for the future. By taking these steps now, you’re definitely on the right track, and I think you’ll continue on to achieve good things. </p>

<p>Good luck on everything. Wishing you the best.</p>

6

<p>Wow, persona3. Honestly I couldn’t have hoped for a more helpful response. Today’s the last day of school before Spring Break, so I’ll look up Scott a young over the weekend. Thanks again.</p>

7

<p>Bump please? I’m trying to plan and could use all of the help I can get…</p>

<p>EDIT: Oh and I just want to add, I’ve never gotten a grade below a B; I just got a few of them freshman year. Not sure if this helps, hurts, or doesn’t matter, but I just wanted to put it out there.</p>

8

<p>Try to show dedication for the two or three ECs you have and, if you feel that even that is insufficient, then you can get one or two more ECs. Additionally, 150+ hours until first-semester senior year will help.</p>

<p>Perhaps you should consider Tulane as well…</p>

9

<p>Your GPA is not too hot (neither is mine, haha) but try to find what you are truly passionate about and embrace it. Whether it is sports, robotics, building origami, simultaneously juggling rubix cubes and solving, become the very best in that EC. Elite colleges look for a diverse student body, with individuals who have very special talents. Not the well-rounded student who does a bit of everything but holds no leadership/dedication to it. Good luck! If you have any personal questions, PM me, and I’ll try my best to answer them :)</p>