Hi everyone:
My name is Jonah, I am a Caucasian white male, my parents are both foreign (Russia and Poland) although I am fully American. I come from a big family of 8 and they mean a lot to me. I cherish my family and I come to them with all my problems/thoughts (plan on writing about family in my essay?)
I am currently going into 11th grade at a very diverse school in New York. My school is known for its kids that need financial and educational help (mostly African American, but trying to leave race out of this), but also for its 30-something AP classes and very smart kids. Our valedictorian is going to Harvard, and other high-GPA kids are going to Cornell and Yale.
As for me, my dream school is Cornell University. Sorry if this is so long, but the purpose of this is mainly for suggestions on volunteering and SAT scores.
My last two hours have been pretty good grade wise:
Freshman year- World History AP (94 in class, 3 on exam), Earth Science (99, 97 on regents), Geometry (100, 93 on regents), English honors (95), phys ed (100), symphonic band (100), Spanish II honors (95)
Sophomore year- Euro Ap (100 in class, 3 on exam), Chem honors (98 in class, 95 on regents), Algebra II and Trigonometry (100 in class, 99 on regents), English 10H (98 in class), 100 in gym, Spanish III Honors (98)
My strong suits are Math and Science, and language, while i’m not so good in history. I plan on going into the pre-med and later on to Med school (Hopefully Cornell Med or Johns Hopkins :P)
Next year, I plan on taking mostly APs- AP bio, physics, Calculus w pre calc, APUS, AP Lang, Ap spanish, Wind Ensemble (I play percussion, I had to try out for this and I ended up making it),
As for SATs- I plan on taking them as many times as possibly next year. I took a prac test in a review book and got an 1855. Not good at all but I’m studying so it will go up hopefully! My goal is over 2000. I will also take many SAT IIs next year such as Bio, US, English, and possible spanish. I will also probably take math 1 SAT II. Sen. year I will do Chem SAT and math 2.
I volunteer at a local hospital in the ER, went to Israel and did volunteer work there, I walk dogs in my neighborhood, and I plan on playing piano at a nursing home in my area (I’ve been playing for about 8 years). I am currently a lifeguard at a big pool in my area. In the fall I will start teaching swimming lessons to kids. I also plan on joining a few volunteer clubs and my school and possible Model UN with some friends.
Do you guys think “family” is a good college essay? and what should my SATs look like for a chance at getting accepted at Cornell? What are other volunteer ideas?
My main focus right now is school and I will do anything to get increase my chances to get into my reach school (Cornel, Johns hopkins for undergrad). I am also looking into some SUNYs (Binghamton) but I would much rather an ivy. Any feedback at all is great! Thanks so much! Sorry again if this is too long!