Freshman Year of High School

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I'm about to enter my sophomore year at a top college preparatory school in my area. I recently got my final freshman year report card. My final GPA was a 3.0 (I don't know whether this is weighted or unweighted). I took two honors classes, Geometry Honors and Chemistry Honors. The Chemistry Honors course in my school is usually taken by strong students in their junior year, and the Geometry Honors course is usually taken by strong students in their freshman or sophomore year. My final grades were a C- in Geometry Honors, an A+ in Concert Band, a C in Chemistry Honors, an A- in Multimedia Design, a B- in English I, a B- in Spanish I, and an A- in Foundations of Civilizations. The classes I will most likely be taking next year are Biology (Honors or Regular), Algebra II, Concert Band, English II, Spanish II (Honors or Regular), and World History AP. Looking at my academics, what should I do to improve, so I can eventually attend Harvard University?</p>

<p>I had two unsuccessful campaigns for ninth grade class vice president and school treasurer, but I was elected class alternate representative for the ninth grade class. Over the course of my freshman year, I had over 50 community service hours, which earned me Community Service Honors. I was also a member of my church's youth group. I was cast in my school's spring drama production. Also, I wrote a play and performed a different play for my school's drama festival, which had to be written, performed, practiced, and directed within 24 hours of receiving the topic for the play. I'm also looking into getting student glider pilot certified, and eventually earning a private pilot's license for glider planes. I'm also looking into joining the Naval Sea Cadet Corps, as I would either want to enroll in the Naval Reserve Officer's Training Corps or enlist in the U.S. Navy Reserve throughout college. Looking at my extracurricular activities, what should I do to improve, so I can eventually attend Harvard University?</p>

<p>I did not participate in my school's athletic program in my freshman year, as I was focusing on my academics during the transition from a small Catholic middle school to a rigorous college preparatory school. I plan on playing two or three sports in my sophomore year. However, by playing sports in my sophomore year, I would not be able to participate in my school's fall or spring drama productions. I would still be able to participate in the annual drama festival, though. Which would Harvard rather see: excellence in athletics or dramatics?</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

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<p>With your grades right now it’s not looking good. You need a 4.0 unweighted or close to it next year in the most rigorous course schedule you can handle.*</p>

<p>About sports vs drama. Do what you love. Neither will “look better” it’s all about developing your passions. If you have had early success in the drama <em>department then that may even be a better choice. Or perhaps you could balance it and play one sport in the fall and do the spring play (or vice versa).</em></p>

<p>I would say maybe add some community service the area of your interests. if theater is your thing maybe you could try to find something based on that (like maybe helping with/directing a middle school’s play or holding plays with kids at hospitals or something)</p>

<p>Start a club in something you’re passionate about and go far with it.*</p>

<p>Join around 2-3 additional clubs only in your area of interest (don’t add a bunch of random things you don’t care about or think will look good. Add stuff you really like)</p>

<p>Spend your summers doing something productive. Take classes at the local community college or online, if you can afford it look into summer programs in your area of interest, volunteer, play a sport, etc.*</p>

<p>The flying thing could be really cool! (maybe volunteer/start a club/otherwise develop passion in that area too) that could definitely stand out though.*</p>

<p>I don’t know anything about the Navy thing so I can’t help you there.*</p>

<p>Basically, the moral of the story is go deep into one or two things you really love. If that’s flying & drama (and I’m kind of going with these two, that doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be them), then <em>develop passions in those areas. It’s better to do that and maybe start a club in each area (performance club that goes to festivals/schools, flying club that teaches about airplanes, etc.). join clubs you think are interesting (drama club, Leo club–that’s community service, etc.) and try to get leadership roles in those clubs. Make sure you make the most of your summers by participating in activities in your areas of interest!! And most of all get amazing grades. You have a lot of catching up to do on the grade front.</em></p>

<p>So there’s my two cents (: and I used flying & acting as your passions, of course you can substitute what they really are in and use the same ideas.*</p>