<p>I am currently a sophomore in high school interested in schools such as Georgetown, George Washington University, Northwestern, even Columbia, University of Chicago as well as Yale and Princeton(four "reach" schools). As of my freshman year, my average and weighted gpa was a 4.28 the entire first semester, with taking classes such as Honors Freshman World Compoisition and Honors United States History. Once second semester rolled around, I took my science course(Honors Physical Earth Science-it is blocked at our school) and had higher than a 4.28 at the time- ending up around a 4.4-4.5(all weighted). My official school transcript says that for my freshman year I had an average of a 4.370 gpa(weighted) and a rank of 26 out of 352. I took everything honors with the exclusion of math. I have also taken French for three years.</p>
<p>For my sophomore year, though it is still late in the first semester, for first quarter I had around a 4.6 gpa with the same classes taken (all honors except math) and with a bonus option of taking two individual science courses per semester. However, in second quarter, I am at a 4.28 once again. I took the PSAT and PLAN this year for the very first time, and my scores were not what I had envisioned, but I plan on taking eventual test prep classes outside of school. </p>
<p>I have compiled and am very interested in volunteer opportunities outside of school, and am already a participant in a couple of clubs, though I am planning on joining more within the coming months. I also have lettered in Varsity Tennis two years in a row, and have earned numerous educational awards("Outstanding Academic Excellence").</p>
<p>I am wondering if, thus far into my high school education, I am on the right track for the schools in which I am interested in. Thanks to whoever comments.</p>
<p>You’re at a good time to start working on this. If you have access to a college fair this spring, definitely go and start exploring your options. </p>
<p>You’ll also want to meet with a college counselor or your GC and begin planning out the rest of your HS courses to give you the best chance of meeting your goals. Now is a good time to do this, the seniors are pretty much done applying, juniors aren’t hot and heavy yet, and it’s time to sign up for next year’s courses.</p>
<p>Summer before junior year can also be a good time to start looking at schools, but not too seriously. You can always plan a family vacation around your dream schools, or just go see some wherever you happen to be.</p>
<p>Try picking up an ACT or SAT test prep book and going over a few tests. You might consider a trial run this spring, but that’s not necessary. Set aside a Saturday morning and take a test on your own, just to see how you do - it’ll give you an idea of where you are test score wise. It might tell you you’re realistic, you need help, you’re completely unrealistic, or you’re just not there yet.</p>
<p>Two warning signs in what you write: Your PSAT and PLAN were not what you expected - yes, you can test prep, but test prep only does so much, it will not raise your score by tremendous amounts. The other is that you were taking Physical Earth Science in 9th grade - although this is normal, top HS make this an 8th or even 7th grade course. Plus you don’t mention your math course, only that it’s not honors. </p>
<p>All this combined tells me your school might be giving you an inflated sense of where you really are compared to other top students you’ll be competing with. Maybe I’m wrong, but too many times I’ve see kids and parents think top grades mean a top student, when the reality is, their HS is not very challenging, and they might be at a disadvantage and not know it. The key may be your PSAT and PLAN scores - mind telling us what they were?</p>
<p>GPA scale ? </p>
<p>All of the schools you have chosen are tough to get into, with the exception of GWU, which is still a selective school. </p>
<p>An A average (or close to it) and a test score in the top 5% is pretty much expected. Everyone else applying will have that. </p>
<p>Look for ways to stand out in your activities. Dont just participate, initiate. Sounds cliche but in forum post thats the best I can do.</p>
<p>You’re off to a good start, Harborgirl. Keep up the good work academically, practice for your standardized tests and invest creatively in those ECs you care most about. It’s quality, not quantity, of your participation so don’t join clubs just to put them on your application. Its better to have accomplished something in two or three areas than to sign up for a dozen clubs and volunteer activities. (Which doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to try out new things - try something new out because you’re curious, rather than to try to impress.) And make sure you are building relationships with your teachers (esp. those in 11th grade) since you’ll need letters of rec from them.</p>
<p>Finally, don’t get hung up on a few brand name schools. Talk to your parents now about what they can afford and what their criteria are for you when choosing colleges to apply to. Once you have your SAT/ACT scores, you can use the search feature here on cc to find some schools that match your criteria and that you’d like to learn more about in Fiske or one of the other popular college guides.</p>