<p>Hi everyone!
I'm a sophomore in high school right now, and the other day our guidance counselor came into the room and started questioning us about college: where we would like to go, why, etc.
And I realized I had no idea.
I obviously want to go to a good school, but I'd like to know my chances & where I stand. Harvard is the goal, a school like Duke is the minimum. I value my education very much, and really do want an Ivy if I can get in. </p>
<p>I am in the IB program, have a 4.0 (all A's), and have consistently taken the hardest courses available; currently I am taking AP European history, physics, chemistry, Algebra II, English II, & Spanish II. </p>
<p>I have been in Mu Alpha Theta (I don't know of my rank nationally or statewide, but I'm not that fantastic...) since I joined high school, and will continue to do so until college. I have been in Student Government Association as well (last year I was just a senator, this year I am class historian) and once again, will stay in until college. This year I joined Academic Team. I am the alternate of our top team, and am captain of my own team (the alternate JV team). Once again, I don't know ranks, but at a recent competition in GA, I was 12th out of everyone competing and #1 from our school. </p>
<p>I took the SAT in 7th grade, qualified for the Duke TIP program, took Criminal Trial Advocacy in the summer before 9th grade. I took the PSAT's recently (did not do too well ): )- got 197 composite. I don't remember the exact individual stats, but I think I got a 67 in W, 68 in CR, and either a 63 or a 62 in M. These were not the PSAT's that count for National Merit and stuff- that's next year for me. </p>
<p>I haven't taken a subject test yet, but I will at the end of the year in either physics or chem (which ones do you guys recommend btw? And what is an Ivy standard score?). </p>
<p>I have a cousin with whom I'm very close- he has mild autism though, and when he was younger, my aunt would talk to me about all the things she wish there were for him (social interaction was the biggie). I started my own charity for autistic kids last year. I work with local schools and set up a few main parties throughout the year (for Christmas, Easter, July 4th, etc.) which gives all the county's ESE kids a chance to interact with each other, and non-ESE kids, thereby improving social skills. Between these events, I set up opportunities for the ESE kids to learn vital life skills by having them make bracelets for the charity's fundraising, singing songs to the elderly at nursing homes, etc. </p>
<p>In addition to that, I volunteer at the humane society and the nursing home. </p>
<p>I play tennis- have been since I was little. I was on the tennis team at school last year, and will be on it till college. I also play piano as a hobby, but I haven't really done any competitions or received recognition in any way. I love to sketch, and am entering a few pieces into art competition in the next few months (we'll see how that goes- crossing my fingers!! :P)</p>
<p>Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>