<p>There are some questions THROUGHOUT the post about steps I should take. PLEASE PLEASE take the time to see if you have any insight? Thank you </p>
<p>If you could help a gal out and give some advice about these schools (My match/reaches):
USC
UPenn
Columbia
Tufts
UCLA (In state)
UCB (In state)
UVA (OOS)
Georgetown
Pomona
Northwestern
Rice (ED)
WashU
UWash
UCSD (keep in mind neuroscience major, In state)
Dartmouth
Duke</p>
<p>The question above, alone with this: I'm still a junior; how can I improve and increase my chances of acceptance? Obviously, I'm not going to start something just to get in, but small suggestions would be helpful...</p>
<p>GPA: UW 4.0 (academic)-- only As and A+s (no minuses thus far) This GPA includes, essentially, A-G courses (5 core classes + my elective, band)</p>
<p>I have received two B's, but in PE my freshman year; how does this weigh in? Does it matter?</p>
<p>Classes I have taken considered "advanced":
Advanced English (9 and 10)
Advanced History (9)
AP European History (10)
AP Biology (11)
AP Language and Composition (11)
AP US History (11)
Precalculus (11)</p>
<p>Senior prospective schedule:
AP Lit-- MAYBE not AP... would this hurt me?
AP Microeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
AP Gov
AP Calc AB
AP Physics
AP Italian
Adv. Band</p>
<p>Test Scores:
ACT: Composite 34 : M36, E35, R34, S30 (I'm retaking so that I can get my science score up!)
SAT II: Bio (M) and Math II and maybe USHist-- I'm taking these in May. What scores do you think I'll need?
AP European History (5)
Hoping for either 4s or 5s in AP Bio, Lang, and USH! How important are AP scores in the admissions process?</p>
<p>Activities: *** denotes leadership position (required election)
1. Italian Club President (9,10,11,12)***
cultural activities coordinator in 9, VP in 10, President in 11, and 12</p>
<ol>
<li>American Cancer Society Club President (9,10,11,12)
President in 11,12
Secretary in 9,10</li>
</ol>
<p>Which goes hand in hand with...</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Event Chair of Relay for Life- essentially, the top position. (elected to lead committee of students for planning our community's Relay for Life which raises approximately $50,000) (10,11,12) ***
This is pretty significant because we raise more money than Stanford, USC, UCLA, etc. Also, this event is typically run by adults, but has been taken over by students in my community.</p></li>
<li><p>Volunteer for many many hours at an organization in the urban area near me that houses cancer patients (children)-- I work on the living conditions for these patients and their families by making holiday cards, painting, cleaning, organizing, making the place a nice place for the brave kids! I also tutor the patient's siblings. (I'm not sure how many hours, but I know the number should be pretty high...) (10,11,12)</p></li>
<li><p>Intern at my hospital's cancer center, shadowed oncologist, volunteered, too! (I'm not sure how many hours, though, but a lot!) (10,11,12)</p></li>
<li><p>I've played piano for 11 years, numerous awards from my conservatory! Will submit arts supplement (9,10,11,12)</p></li>
<li><p>Flute and Piccolo which I play in my school's band (first chair), my region's orchestra (first), my school's musicals, competitions (with some awards), and a flute "choir" of mostly professional flautists (9,10,11,12)</p></li>
<li><p>Mental Health Support Group (President and Founder) (10,11,12)-- founded after personal experience
While this is registered as a club, it is more of a support group for those suffering from depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, etc., or those whose family or friends are suffering from those illnesses. It's a big part of my life and has over 50 members. We meet weekly at various locations and have created an outreach network with a local middle school. We've also organized events at school to raise awareness of mental illness. We also set up weeks throughout the year to help students de-stress. It's all pretty great </p></li>
<li><p>Varsity Tennis (9,10,11,12)- Captain as a Senior</p></li>
<li><p>Hopefully participating in a research program this summer, whether it be a paid program or research with a professor (I applied, but not so sure I'll get in)</p></li>
<li><p>Robotics team member (though, no leadership position) (11,12)-- it was just founded this year</p></li>
<li><p>I've been in the band and marching band for every year and as I said above am the section leader and principal flute. Possibly next year's band president, though I don't know yet. (9,10,11,12)</p></li>
<li><p>Coding group that works with facebook and twitter engineers and university professor (11,12)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Work experience. I am not sure which to include. Can you advise?
1. Nordstrom Sales Associate (10,11)
2. Tennis Instructor (Summer and School year--9,10,11,12)
3. I teach piano to elementary and middle school students (11,12)
4. Child care... lol
5. Tutor (paid) for english, bio, etc.</p>
<p>Recommendations: Planning on getting these from my language and english teachers. However, I'm planning on studying neuroscience and linguistics. Should I also get one from my biology teacher? I know the ones from my language and english teachers will be AMAZING-- like 9-10/10-- while the biology teacher will probably write a 7-8/10... thoughts?</p>
<p>Additional info:
Prospective major: Neuroscience/cogsci (really interested in the crossover between science and language comprehension and understanding as well as mental illness and affects of stress-- physical and otherwise-- on the brain)
Prospective minor: depending on which school, either music or Italian</p>
<p>California resident
Income: It's PRETTY high...
Middle Eastern female
Trilingual
Mom went to USC</p>
<p>Both parents with Bachelor's, Dad has Master's</p>
<p>I took a human biology class at a local community college, receiving an A. I will take a few classes over the summer if I'm not accepted into a research program.</p>
<p>I know Java and learning Bluejay (self-taught). This isn't really a big deal, but I love it!</p>
<p>Will submit music supplement on the piano (Beethoven's Sonata Pathetique Movement 3)-- Good idea or pointless?</p>
