<p>Hi guys, I'm a junior right now. Here's my resume so far:
-A's and A-s across the board for frosh and soph years, most likely the same for jr. and sr. year. All Honors/AP classes ('cept gym lol)
-Ranked #3-4 in grade out of 190.
-2230-2310 on my practice SAT tests.
-Sat 2s: Bio 790, US history 760, Math IIC 780.
-taking 3 APs this year, probs 5 next year. </p>
<p>ECs:
-1st chair clarinet in school, County Band (2 years, I'll probs make it for 2 more years), 9th grade region band. I do marching band. Founder of the Woodwind Quintet (played for a few meetings/luncheons). I also play for church orchestra.
-Varsity Indoor and Outdoor Track (Since soph year, and I'll probs be capt. of indoor track in sr. year). Division Champs in soph year.
-Debate team (2 yrs, will do it sr. year)
-Spanish club (2 yrs, will do it sr. year)
-Academic Decathlon
-Frosh Basketball and Football
-Coach for a track team
-NHS
-Sunday School teacher
-Camp counselor (volunteer) for inner city kids.</p>
<p>Work experience:
-Refereeing soccer (grades 3-8, boys and girls)
-Summer School Teacher Assistant for 6 weeks.
-Tutor </p>
<p>Thanks!
Oh, btw, if anyone could tell me of any good schools that gives amazing financial aid I'd appreciate it. I can't pay much tuition, so my single most deciding factor would be cost.</p>
<p>Kwarky, I can see a number of strengths in your application already; specifically, here they are:
Your greatest strength right now (and that you are extremely lucky to have as a junior) are your standardized test scores. Your SAT ii scores are very strong, and they encompass a number of areas (math ii, history, science, etc.). Let me just say as a junior with these scores already, you basically have a full year at your disposal to work on building up your “personal profile;” meaning, all the subjective criteria- that is, your ECs, teacher recs, essays, community service, etc. With this being said, direct your energies to one main activity, and I think it should be the Woodwind Quintet you started. You seem to possess a strong talent for music, so definitely continue this. The sports component is always good to have. I can tell you from first hand experience that debate/speech is probably THE most beneficial activity a student can be involved with in high school, so stick with this above all else, and, if you can, become an officer/captain of that activity.
To highlight your community service, emphasize your participation in your church’s orchestra, and also your responsibilities as an instructor for the Sunday school (volunteer). Out of these endeavors, I thought that the camp counselor position for the economically disadvantaged students stood out in particular. This shows a great ability to emphasize and correspond well with people from all backgrounds. Perhaps you could start a mentoring program in music for these same inner-city students?
You’ve got the test scores for Columbia, cornell, duke and Harvard, this is clear just based on the information you provided above, and what is to my understanding the median ranges for these schools. Really study hard for the actual SAT and I’m sure that you can do very well. Don’t let your guard down- try to keep your simulated SAT tests as close in nature to the SAT you will experience on actual test day. More importantly for you based on your already proven ability for standardized tests is to keep adding to your personal profile! Unlike most students, you do not have to worry as much about the “academic (difficult)” part. If you can increase your own academic standing/ranking to 1 or 2, that will also help you, because you have a relatively small class (190 students).
In regards to your concern about the financial aid, I’m also a depressed member of America’s proletariat, however, you have a strong chance at these schools, and money won’t be as great of a factor because you can probably qualify for some serious aid should you maintain a high bar of success for yourself and be admitted. I have heard, however, that some selective private liberal arts colleges (one step under the ivy league) can also distribute hefty packages, namely, Boston College, Williams College, and Amherst. As for the Ivies, the hard part is not securing aid- just getting in. Best of luck with your senior year and your college process. Don’t settle for anything less than you best in your “personal” profile than what is exhibited in your stellar “academic” profile above.</p>