<p>Okay, just to start off, I realize nothing's set in stone and nothing's for sure. Also, I may seem like I'm over-planning, but I'm really just trying to get some honest answers here. I'm trying to figure out high school and do what I can while I can still change and alter things. If someone could just take the time to answer my questions and chance me, I'd really appreciate it! <3</p>
<p>Background Info: Freshmen, Chinese Female, First Generation (Moved at 3)</p>
<p>Grades: (Taking toughest academic courses of my year. Only one other freshman in my math course and ~10 other freshmen in my foreign language course.) Expecting about 2-3 B's in freshman year and possibly another one or two between sophomore and junior year.
9th: 1 AP 10th: 3 APs 11th: 4-5 APs 12th: 3-4 APs
I could also do IB on top of this, but it would require some extra work and I might get another B or two, would that be worth it? And does both IB and AP really add extra value to my application? </p>
<p>Sports: I have none in freshman year, but I could join Track and Field. Next year, I'm planning on JV Tennis and Varsity Wrestling. How important is it to have a sport for all four years? I'd rather not do Track and Field this year and just start with three sports next year, but it's well within my ability. I think I could place at state for Tennis within high school years, but I'm doubtful and T&F and Wrestling. </p>
<p>Instruments: I have eight years of piano experience, and although I dislike it, it's definitely something I could keep doing. I could place (and possibly win) at City and Regional level, but living in the suburbs of LA, I'm doubtful about State. I also could take up flute again (which I've played three years of) just for the mere purpose of band, but I'm curious, how much value would that bring?</p>
<p>Academic Competitions: Last year for math, I scored a perfect score on the AMC10, and 10 on the AIME. I proceeded to do decently (average) at the USAJMO. How good would it look for me to be among the top 50 high-schoolers for (possibly) sophomore and most likely junior and senior year? I'm also participating in Science Olympiad, which my school does well @ State, but never makes it to Nationals. FBLA, a business competition is something I also expect to strive at, and I'm fairly confident I'll place at state this year, and win&make it to nationals for the next three following years. Debate and Model United Nations is something I participate in to get better at public speaking, but eventually I do plan on winning tournaments, although that'd be most likely in my junior and senior year.</p>
<p>Volunteer&Leadership: I think I have more volunteer hours than most people in my year, and I'm in many volunteer clubs. I expect to be on the cabinet of 2-3 clubs for sophomore year, and keep moving up until I get to be president of 3-4 clubs in senior year. (All the clubs I'm referring to are Volunteer or Academic.) Just as a side note, would a cultural club bring any value to my application? Just to show I have other interests, maybe? </p>
<p>Also would joining journalism add a lot more to my application, or not really?</p>
<p>Now besides all of this, I would like to go to Exeter or Andover for my junior and senior year, but do you guys think I have a chance? I'm applying this year too, but I don't really believe my application is good enough for me to be accepted. But if I go to a prep school, I know I'll be dropping FBLA, Science Olympiad, and Wrestling. With all of the above in mind, do you think it's likely I'll be accepted and if it'd be worth it for me? </p>
<p>As a side note, I'm definitely taking a summer out and going to do some charity or volunteer work in either Africa or China. </p>
<p>My essays are generally above average, but not excellent and the same for my interviews.</p>
<p>Also, for all my AP's, I plan on getting all 5's possibly one 4, and on the SAT, I've already taken it once in 8th grade and got about 2000 without practice. I feel confident I could get 2300+ with preparation. SAT II, I expect 750+ if not 800. </p>
<p>I'm aiming for Exeter and Andover for junior and senior year, and then basically HPYMS for college! (I like to set my goals high. :D) </p>
<p>If anyone really takes the time and reads and answers all of my questions+chances me, you honestly have no idea how much it means to me, as my counselors won't give me honest answers, and my school doesn't have too many extremely passionate people. <3 <3 Thanks!</p>