<p>Hi guys, I'm a sophomore currently attending a public high school in El Paso, TX, and I want to major in Philosophy (and possibly double major in Philosophy and Political Science) at Rice University. I'll be graduating from high school in June of 2013.</p>
<p>My educational resume so far -</p>
<ul>
<li>GPA - 91</li>
<li>Member of Debate team</li>
<li>All courses (except math, that will become AP Junior year) have been pre-AP or AP</li>
<li>Scored in top 50% percentile on SAT II in 7th grade (did it through Duke University's TIP, didn't study for SAT at all)</li>
<li>State Duke TIP qualifier</li>
<li>Academy for Duke TIP Summer Studies qualifier (never actually gone)</li>
</ul>
<p>Obviously I know that this alone is nowhere near enough to get into Rice, so here are my goals for Junior and Senior year: </p>
<ul>
<li>GPA: 95+</li>
<li>Qualify for State Debate/Speech competition, if I do, then qualify for Nationals</li>
<li>Join Mock Trial team, advance in competitions (Local ----> State ----> Nationals)</li>
<li>Graduate at the VERY LEAST, top 15%</li>
<li>Taking UTEP's Law School Preparation Institute for High School Students in Summer of 2011</li>
<li>Officer in Student Council</li>
<li>Writer or Editor for school newspaper</li>
<li>2300 or better on SAT II</li>
<li>33 or better on ACT</li>
<li>Score 4s or 5s on ALL AP tests</li>
</ul>
<p>Courses taken Freshman year</p>
<ul>
<li>Pre-AP Biology</li>
<li>Pre-AP World Geography</li>
<li>Pre-AP English I</li>
<li>Algebra I (Math is double blocked Freshman year)</li>
<li>Principles of Marketing</li>
<li>French II</li>
<li>P.E.</li>
</ul>
<p>Courses taken Sophomore year</p>
<ul>
<li>Pre-AP Chemistry</li>
<li>AP World History</li>
<li>Pre-AP English II</li>
<li>Geometry</li>
<li>Pre-AP French III</li>
<li>Debate I</li>
<li>Health/Speech - required for graduation</li>
<li>Web Technologies</li>
</ul>
<p>Courses for Junior year</p>
<ul>
<li>AP Physics</li>
<li>AP U.S. History</li>
<li>AP English III</li>
<li>Pre-AP Algebra II</li>
<li>AP French IV (I've been studying French since 7th grade)</li>
<li>Theater OR Music Theory</li>
<li>American Cultural Studies/SAT Prep (each lasts one semester)</li>
<li>Debate II</li>
</ul>
<p>Courses for Senior year</p>
<ul>
<li>AP Anatomy OR AP Pathology</li>
<li>AP Government</li>
<li>AP English IV</li>
<li>AP Calculus</li>
<li>TBD</li>
<li>TBD</li>
<li>TBD</li>
<li>TBD</li>
</ul>
<p>I was a bit of a slacker freshman year, and I very much regret it.</p>
<p>Possible advantages:</p>
<ul>
<li>Deep Hispanic background, unique family story</li>
<li>Self taught bassist, professionally taught guitarist</li>
<li>Violinist and pianist when much younger</li>
<li>Traveled the Caribbean and Mexico (I heard colleges love it when you travel a lot)</li>
<li>May apply Early Decision to Rice</li>
<li>In - state</li>
<li>High chance for excellent recommendations</li>
</ul>
<p>Chance me? Thanks guys. If you think I'll be a good match, tell me. If not, please tell me what I can do to increase my chances.</p>