Hi, I am going to be an incoming 9th grader into high school and I was wondering what are some tips for me to help my dreams of attending a top college become reachable. Maybe some extracurricular things to do, clubs, what subject test and ap exams should i take?
DO WHAT YOU’RE INTERESTED IN.
@snowfairy137 This a thousand times!
As a current 9th grader, and rising sophomore, I would say focus on subjects you like. For me, I really love biology, so I’m taking AP biology next year. For AP classes, don’t just do them for the credit, do them because you LIKE them, or else you will fail at the end. If you like sports, do a couple sports for extracurriculars. If your looking do get into top schools (Ivies, Stanford, cali schools) than do some volunteering and more “impressive” things (for example, I am doing an internship at the National Cancer Institute next year). Overall, just be you and don’t fall behind on any of your school work. Stay ahead, you’ll be fine.
When should i get a job?
Sign up for the highest level of courses that you are offered. So if you are recommended to take Honors levels of classes, do it.
Make sure you take your core classes (Algebra, Geometry, Trig, Pre Calc, Calc), English, (Bio/CHem/Physics), Required Social Studies, Foreign language up to Level 4…but then take courses of interest…I think it better to take a Photography course if you are interested in it over AP Human Geography just because it is an AP course.
As far as ECs…do what interests you!
That can be Sports, Music, Debate, Service…whatever you like! And if you don’t know…join some different clubs and see what sticks!
Also ECs don’t have to be in school…you can do martial arts or baby sitting or volunteer at church or the hospital.
When should you get a job?
I think it is good if you get a job sometime during HS so you know how to act in a work environment. Definitely over the summer if possible. You can work during the school year if you need to and if it won’t interfere with your school work. Working is a fine EC, but you can’t let it take priority over your grades.
Check out “How to be a High School Superstar” by Cal Newport.
“The basic message of the book is this: Don’t wear yourself out taking as many classes as you can and being involved in every club and sport. Instead, leave yourself enough free time to explore your interests. Cultivate one interest and make it into something special that will make you stand out among the other applicants and get you into the toughest schools, even if your grades and scores aren’t stellar. Newport calls this the “relaxed superstar approach,” and he shows you how to really do this, breaking the process down into three principles, explained and illustrated with real life examples of students who got into top schools: (1) underscheduling—making sure you have copious amounts of free time to pursue interesting things, (2) focusing on one or two pursuits instead of trying to be a “jack of all trades,” and (3) innovation—developing an interesting and important activity or project in your area of interest. This fruit yielded by this strategy, an interesting life and real, meaningful achievements, is sure to help not only with college admissions, but getting a job, starting a business, or whatever your goals.”
http://www.examiner.com/review/be-a-relaxed-high-school-superstar
Find what you like, sample lots of clubs, then choose one or two and become exceptional at them.
Sports is not necessary BTW but you need to do things outside of school and make an impact.
Be kind and altruistic. Show what you love to create, read, think.
What Ap’s are available to freshmen and sophomore?
If offered, you could take AP Human Geography freshman year, and another AP sophomore year, but remember AP’s aren’t the be-all, end-all.
It’s much more important to take all 4 years (or through level 4 or AP) in each of the core classes - English, Foreign Language, History/Social Science, Science (including bio, chem, and physics at any level), and Math. Spanish 4 Honors would be more important than APES or AP Psych even if the latter are AP level. 
@MYOS1634 no AP’s are offered freshman year and only ap world history is offered sophmore year
OK then things are easy. Take the highest level offered in each of English, math, science, foreign language, and social science. Add a couple classes of interest. I recommend art/music.
Sophomire year, AP world history and the highest level offered in the other four subjects (double up honors chem and physics if you wish to accelerate in science.)
The rest of my advice stands.
Be very active in extracurricular activities. Volunteer in community service on the weekends, be in at least 2-3 clubs, and maybe even play a sport or instrument!
For your classes, I would take Honors (or whatever the highest level in your school is) for each subject.
Whatever Science you prefer, I would take a base course in it (for example Regents classes in NY) and then take AP in sophomore year. Also, take the SAT Subject Tests in whichever Science you decide to take
Freshman year is the time of experimentation. I, myself, am only one year ahead of you. Although, I do believe that being on this forum for a while now, I’ve gained a decent amount of knowledge when it comes to college admissions.
Now, I’m going to repeat the very thing that several people have said before me: Do what YOU are interested in.
Don’t attempt to take part in activities because they align with some sort of advantage in college admissions. Colleges don’t want the same applicants every time. They want to see your passion in a certain field, not you spread all over the place in every single club.
During freshman year you should probably try out 5-7 different clubs (if possible) and narrow it down in the coming years to your 3-5 most enjoyable ones. Also, make sure these are clubs you are good at. The ones you enjoy are often the ones that you excel in. The best thing you can do is try to gain state and national recognition in the clubs that you do join, because this will show colleges your passion and your effort put into that specific activity. Also, writing about those clubs in your essay(s) wouldn’t hurt. In fact, it would strengthen your application quite a bit.
Since you’re not able to take any AP’s, I would just familiarize myself with what AP’s are and during sophomore year, if time allows it, try to self-study a couple since your high school lacks opportunity when it comes to early AP’s.
Only take subject tests when you finish the course, preferably when that course is either honors or AP. Subject tests require a certain level of proficiency so studying for them without the course is going to be quite difficult. Seeing by your AP situation, you’ll probably be taking them junior year.
Good luck, pal. You’re in for one long ride. And so am I.
There is no need to self study APs and they will not help your application
For ECs, try out a bunch of things freshman year to find out what you love. Then, pick a few that you really love and become super committed to them. Take on leadership roles in them and make it a fundamental part of your life. Colleges arent looking for people spread thin. They want someone who has PASSION. Find what you love. That’s the key.
Actually they don’t necessarily want passion, but they want you to know what you’re interested in and what you’re good at, and your ability to pursue those to the max.
Take at least 5 AP during ur junior and senior year(total not 5 each year) but do something that interests u, and don’t take any CP
Find something that you’re interested in and pursue it. Also, start thinking about what you want to major in or what you want to do as a career. If you want into the top schools, start studying for the ACT/SAT asap! It’s never too early. If your high school offers vocational classes take them, like welding, agriculture, business, health science. Take one of those if youre interested in one of those fields. Like you’re thinking about rather or not you would like nursing, take a health science class and it will tell you if nursing is too hard for you or if it’s completely not right for you. Also, join a club or join a sport or team, anything really. Get involved with your school.
Welcome to HS! Freshman year was really fun for me, you’ll enjoy it. I’m only a year ahead of you, but I think I can give you some advice.
I was involved in DECA, and it’s super helpful even if you don’t want to go into business (I don’t), it just helped me a lot with job interviews etc, people are always impressed and it helped my confidence a lot. I never got to join debate team but you should if you’re interested in it - i regret not doing it. Join ECs based on which middle school classes you enjoyed, and career interests. Also, maybe think about summer internships depending on your age. There are a lot of internships put out by the US government in every field (it’s called Pathways) but you have to be 16. I’m really interested in doing one once I’m old enough. But you can find one at your local university or some company.
Just enjoy freshman year, but don’t feel like it’s too early to look ahead. If you need more advice on freshman year/classes you’re taking in freshman year, you can PM me anytime!
I’m also an incoming 9th grader and have gotten a lot of advise for getting into a top colleges. Basically do your best in school, take advanced classes and study well. Join a few clubs that you are passionate about and work to gain leadership positions in them. So ya. btw what math class are you taking this fall. I’m the only ninth grader in my school who is taking Algebra 2, or Integrated 2.
Study hard. Lots of freshmen transition poorly from middle school. Your grades freshman year will impact your GPA forever.
@ArcForce21 I’m taking precalculus honors freshmen year