chances at yale/columbia

<p>to be honest, i'm one of those kids that has dreamed of ivy league glory since age 8. i'm starting my junior year now and although it's still my dream, it feels like less of a reality because of how competitive it all is. please help me evaluate:</p>

<p>freshman year: world history, german 2, spanish 1, hon bio, english, geometry
sophomore year: hon english, hon chem, german 3, spanish 2, trig, history
junior year (06-07): hon physics, ap us, hon english, german 4 preAP, spanish 3, analysis</p>

<p>3.96 GPA, fluent in russian (born in ukraine), know latin, 1500 SAT, no SAT IIs taken yet</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: editor of school paper since 9th grade (will be Editor in Chief), executive stage manager of fall play and winter musical since 9th, national german scholar 9th and 10th, jsa yale alum '05, brown summer school alum '06, did CTY 4 times, write weekly for the local newspaper, asst editor for school political magazine and language magazine since 10th, national autism ambassador</p>

<p>Is the 1500 SAT out of 1600 or out of 2400?</p>

<p>i took it in 8th grade and got a 1500 back when it was out of 1600. so i need to retake it anyway as a high schooler, but im pretty sure ill do well.</p>

<p>i also forgot to mention ive played piano for 10 years and have been on honor roll every year since they've started tallying our grades in 5th grade.</p>

<p>keep it up and you'll be fine.</p>

<p>It is just a little frustrating that you have been reputation obssesed since age 8. Colubmia and Yale couldn't be two more different schools. One is in a gigantic city while the other a smaller New England town. Anyway, you need to look at the schools very closely to discern what about each is appealing. You need to have good reasons for applying (programs, majors, etc.). There are other schools out there that aren't ivies. If you go through life obsessed with prestige and glamourous names, you'll end up being very disappointed if you aren't always on top. Ivy League schools, and top schools in generally, like to see kid with perspective. Will going to an Ivy League school really be the key to a sucessful career. Absolutely not! Worry about getting through the year and then worry about colleges. Junior is tough, if you spend it college obsessed, you'll get easily distracted and jeopardize your chances of even getting in.</p>

<p>I think you're on the right track. How are you the editor of the school newspaper in 9th grade??? Usually, from what I've seen on CC, ppl work their way up in terms of leadership in their activities. Anyway, just make sure you keep up that stellar GPA and enjoy yourself in high school.</p>

<p>find a way to volunteer and share your gift of piano playing. perhaps go to a nursing home and play, or teach other children how to play the piano. by showing your personal dedication to an activity as well as demonstrating compassion for the art, colleges may look at you and your ec's in a more favorable light.</p>