<p>Hello, I am currently a sophomore at the #1 Public School in New Jersey (i only say this so you keep in mind the competitive environment i succumb to every day).</p>
<p>GPA: 4.23 (top 10% of my class)</p>
<p>PSAT: 191 (keep in mind this is a totally raw score that i took in my sophomore year without any preparation)</p>
<p>Schedule: acc=honors
Freshman:
Acc. Biology
Acc. US
Acc. English
Acc. Algebra II
Acc. Spanish 4
AP Studio Art I</p>
<p>Next Year:
AP Language and Composition
AP Spanish Language
AP United States History
AP Government and Politics
AP Studio Art II
Acc. Pre-Calc
Acc. Chemistry </p>
<p>ECs:
I am a member of: The School Newspaper, Debate Team (two trophies), NJSCIL (science league and received a plaque this year for being in the top 10% of my division), Peer Leaders, MUN (Model United Nations), and Key Club.</p>
<p>Over the summer i worked as a shadow counselor (aiding to a specific child with special needs, autism, in camp activities), i also went to Debate Camp at UCLA, and this summer i am attending Cornell Summer College for a program on the theory of justice.</p>
<p>Colleges:
My dream is to go to princeton although i am aware this is highly unlikely therefore my current top school would be Cornell, please tell me if you think my chances are high for this school and if not which schools suit me.</p>
<p>Question:
Is being the only male in AP Studio Art for my grade that is in the top 10% of my class beneficial, as in will colleges be aware of this?</p>
<p>Hard to know without Junior year grades… Cornell is the “easiest” Ivy to get into. I advise studying a lot for the SAT. I did MUCH better on the SAT than the PSAT because I studied and I had a 195 on the PSAT, so don’t worry about it just buy a book and study over the summer. Cornell summer program helps but doesn’t make you a shoe-in. Basically, looks good so far, maybe find a niche and help start/organize something for one of the clubs your in?</p>
<p>Thanks so much yeah i just purchased the infamous the official sat study guide and plan to get through that, it makes me relieved that others did better on the sats than psats, im aiming for about 2200. and thanks for the advice</p>
<p>hey. I would say two things. for one improve your SAT to above 2150 which I am sure you could do. I think my PSAT soph year was 192, junior year- 224, and I have yet to take the SAT but I got a 34 ACT (converts 2240-2280 SAT). really work hard your junior year so that you have an impressive (preferrably top 10) rank to report. if you are indeed in the top 10% now, receiving high marks your junior year (and 2nd semester this year) will undoubtedly get you into the top 5 or so %. I saw that as a sophmore you were in AP Spanish, so you clearly are strong in language. try to earn high marks on the national/state exams if your school offers those. really find what you are passionate about over your next 1+ years and shape your app around that. your extracurriculars are all a little scattered now so focus in on a few things. good luck (im looking at Cornell/Princeton as well!)</p>
<p>hmmm your classes are definitely up to par with what the Ivys are looking for. but keep in mind that you MUST get full grades in all the ‘hard’ classes you take. Grades and Classes are not everything, most like something that is ‘required’. Face it, getting into top colleges will require essentially a 4.0 on every advanced class you take. You need to definitely work on your SAT/ACT. 2200+ is the bare minimum if you want a decent chance of getting in, that is assuming that your EC are very good. If your EC are not so good, (not that many awards or activities that are out of the ordinary) than a SAT score of 2300+ is what you need. If I were you, I would look for as many chances to stand out as possible, not just joining a bunch of clubs or volunteering, but more on things that grab your passions. Awards are very important, but being focused on a sole passion is perhaps the best way to go too. Check out the many high school competitions that are available. Examples of stuff I did and some of my friends did during my junior year, 2008-2009, include, National Science Bowl, Economics Challenge, ARML, USAMO, Science Olympiad, Chemistry Olympiad, FIRST Robotics, etc. The list goes on and on, just keep your mind busy!</p>
<p>btw guys PSAT scores have absolutely no baring on college admissions. The only thing that might matter is if you are named a Semifinalist when you apply, but even that is not that great because that depends on your state/most people that apply to top colleges have that/colleges know that SAT scores will change with practice.</p>
<p>you have a very good chance if you bring up your PSAT score which looks very reasonable since it was a raw score w\out any studying. Your schedule is tough which is good and so is the GPA. the art thing looks good also</p>
<p>I would say Cornell is closer to a reach for you. The AP Government and Politics exam is a joke and an easy 5 without taking any related history or political science courses. That fact that your school even offers it makes me question the New Jersey school system. Even offering AP English before senior year makes no sense. The school is blatantly trying to improve its students’ chances at getting into top schools by making classes sound better than they are. Realize AP English is the equivalent of an intro-level college English class. If AP English is for juniors, is your senior English class a sophomore English college course? That unlikely, if not impossible. Also, your PSAT is mediocre at best. I’m not sure what you’re expecting on your actual SAT I, but even a 2100 would be a huge stretch regardless of studying.</p>
<p>I would say your courses are your strongest asset. Make sure you do not slip in any way and you just may wow them.</p>
<p>As for SAT, try to get a 2150 or higher. You have the summer, so that would not be too difficult (I got a 2150, trying for 2300+, so I am in the same boat in a way).</p>
<p>As it stands, assuming SAT turns out to be 2150+:</p>
just buy a book and study over the summer. Cornell summer program helps but doesn’t make you a shoe-in. Basically, looks good so far, maybe find a niche and help start/organize something for one of the clubs your in?</p>