First off, I am a sophomore interested in attending college when I’m older. I’m leaning toward UofM Ann Arbor, as well as colleges with similar stats/rankings. I’m graduating a year early since I am taking accelerated courses in the summer.
GPA: 4.17 (Weighted) 3.98 (UW)
I took 2 honors courses in 9th grade, since that was the max I was allowed to take. They were Honors Biology, and Honors English. I took one semester of Honors English II and Honors Geometry this summer, as well as Med Terminology. This year, I’m taking the rest of Honors English II as well as Honors Geometry, and I’m taking Honors World History. Next semester, I’m thinking of taking AP English. I will also be taking Honors Algebra II. I’m planning on taking AP classes next year.
ECs:
Member of newspaper club (2 years)
Newspaper club leader this year
Debate Club (1 year)
College Club (1 year)
200+ hours of volunteering in schools
Volunteer Appreciation award
10 years of Arabic language and 2 years of Spanish
I took the Explore ACT test in 9th, and got a 24 out of 25. I’m planning to major in Biology, and go to medical school. This summer, I am planning to go to into a medical program at a local hospital where we have the chance to experience medical specialties. I am a first generation student, as well as being a minority. Does this help me in college applications? Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks.
You are on the right track with your grades and EC’s. Until you finish Junior and have actual test scores, there is no way to chance you. Come back with all your information at the end of Junior year and posters will be able to give gauge your chances better.
Yes, don’t underestimate the importance of taking time for yourself. Though commitment to extra-curricular activities is important, and I recommend you pursue the internship at the hospital, don’t allow yourself to become consumed with work - focus on your own intellectual development (don’t try and check boxes for colleges, it isn’t worth it).
You sound like a down-to-earth, studious guy, and I’d recommend you stay true to yourself. Take as many challenging classes as you’re interested in/can handle, and go outside every once in awhile to appreciate what you have. Life’s good. You’re good. You’re going to succeed.
Now, moving on from the feel-good stuff, I’d say that a dedication to volunteering demonstrates passion and drive, as well as genuine concern for the well-being of others. See if you can start anything new that has to do with helping people (maybe a political club to inform other youths, maybe an anti-sexual-harassment club, a GSA, or a food drive). Bottom line: do what you love and push yourself. Take the ACT and SAT, but don’t be demoralized if your scores aren’t perfect (though I suspect they’ll be close). Play games with your friends, go on a few dates, etc. You may not think that will help you, but I’m convinced that it humanizes you, and then when you write your college essays that will show through. They get too many carbon-copy 2200+, 33+, 3.8 GPA+ students that it can be refreshing to see someone who stands out.
If I were you, I’d consider applying to some Ivy League Universities, it sounds like you’d be a great candidate.
@SirPepsi Thank you! And I’m a girl I’m going to volunteer regularly at a hospital for the next 2 years every week, besides all this. I guess this counts toward volunteering hours + showing passion for what I’m interested in. I’m not sure what kind of club to start in the community; people who have started some don’t have enough people interested. I don’t think I have a chance at Ivy Leagues. There’s more qualified applicants who have better stats + unique ec’s compared to mine.
@SirPepsi It’s okay! Haha I agree. There’s too many applicants who have really similar stats and who are members and leaders of 4+ clubs,captain of varsity teams, president of so and so, and all that stuff. It’s hard for colleges to choose between them. I’m aiming to set myself apart.
There aren’t as many of those students as these forums make it seem. Only 17K people total (conservatively 25K) have scores in the Ivy range for the SAT/ACT and correspondingly high GPAs. There are 14K Ivy League Freshmen every year, and given that they admit some with lower scores and that most of the 25K qualified Seniors don’t apply to the Ivy Leagues or only apply to a couple, your odds aren’t bad.
@cappex I haven’t taken the SAT/ACT yet. My score on the Explore test (which is a test for freshman that preps you for the ACT) was in the 99th percentile according to the score report.
Possible course track: