College Projections

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>I wanted to see if I am doing this whole college search right with scheduling and grades and activities and everything having to do with admissions. I know that since I am a sophomore now I have time to plan out these next two years and I need some help doing that. I will list my grades and extracurricular activities. Ivy League is the dream but I have burst my own bubble and am interested in schools like Tufts, Rochester, Duke, UNC, UVA, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Richmond, UChicago, TCNJ. Schools that are respected and have strong programs. (No AP offered to frosh/soph except APUSH and no honors spanish until 4, "UP/ Universtiy Program" classes are selective science/med/research classes that are more intense than honors but not AP)
Freshman:
H UP Biology A
H Geometry B+
H World History A
H UP Research Methods
H English 1 A-
Spanish 2 A</p>

<p>Sophomore:
H UP Chemistry A
H Algebra 2 B
AP US History 1 A
H UP Human Anatomy A
H English 2 A-
Spanish 3 A
Concert Band A</p>

<p>I expect to get similar grades but really push in math to get into BC Calc
Junior:
H UP Physics/ AP Physics B
H Precalculus
AP US History 2
H UP Research Project/ Medical Issues (switch after first semester)
AP Eng Lang
H Spanish 4</p>

<p>Senior:
AP Biology
AP Calc BC
AP Psych and Honors Band or AP Chem
H UP Philosophy of Knowledge (spinoff of IB TOK)
AP Eng Lit
AP Spanish 5</p>

<p>EC:
Cross Country - Varsity as Senior
Academic Decathlon- Captain as Senior, hope to make Nationals in Hawaii next year!
YMCA Teen Leaders- volunteer and community leadership
Science League- Bio, Chem, Phys, Bio or Chem
NHS- will run for a position
Heroes and Cool Kids/ Teens Need Teens- peer and younger student mentoring
will participate in INTEL ISEF/ Google/ etc. with next year's research</p>

<p>Employment:
Summer Camp Counselor and Track Meets</p>

<p>Is there anything I can do to improve my portfolio? I am a white male and not underprivileged with no real hooks so any ideas would be great. Summer programs or organizations? I am trying the NYLFM this summer at Villanova to see if medicine is something I want to pursue. I've heard about NJ Governor's School. Any feedback is great!</p>

2

<p>Also, somehow my grades although they are not perfect put me at 4.23 weighted GPA and #1 out of a class of around 275 so I have potential to become valedictorian but I know some kids that will give me a run for the ranking. I got a 730 on Bio M as a freshman and will take Chem, Physics, and Math II as part of the UP program and took PSAT this october and got 193 which will go up as I will study this summer</p>

3

<p>Well…you’re definitely and over-achiever and goal setter. I assume doctor? Or medical something? What happens if you don’t want to do that though? And I must ask, will you enjoy any of those volunteer or EC’s or are they college-fillers? Because, your essays when you talk about this will reflect your true goals when you joined up. Like I don’t know if these are hooks, but I have done band and competitions (French Horn) in it since 6th grade and love volunteering. I really don’t have much outside it (more like fillers :D) but I enjoy both of the activities. Maybe that will help with your issue(s). Keep your grades up and enjoy your next two years doing activities, EC’s, and volunteering with goals in mind.</p>