My dream school is New York University. I have had an effort issue in the past but recently starting the second semester of this freshman year my grades have pulled up majorly and I don’t know if it is too late to fix my mistakes. Also, just so everyone knows, money is not an issue for my family it’s just a matter of getting in or not. I will try to keep this as brief and concise as possible, but it is a long story:
- In 8th grade, I did not put much effort into math so as a result my teacher told me had no choice but to put me into Algebra I for 9th grade rather than the standard course, Geometry.
- My math teacher right now told me that it's not the course that matters but rather the level for colleges. I am not sure this is true but right now here is the path I am on for math: Freshman Year: Algebra 1 | Sophomore Year: Geometry | Junior Year: Algebra 2 | Senior Year: Pre-Calculus |. Is my math teacher right? Does it matter if you take calculus in high school or just the rigor of my classes? Right now, I am taking Level 1 Math Courses but not accelerated.
- I have thought about double enrolling in two math courses, but my schedule could not accommodate it since I am also in Learning Skills. This is another issue that I think might hold my back. Do colleges look down upon kids who are in Learning Skills/IEP'S?
- I am in skills because even though my IQ testing proved way above average I have Visual Processing Disorder which I know I can write about in my essay's as to way my course rigor and grades weren't great and how I persevered forward.
- Also because of skills taking up my schedule I will only take my language (Latin) 3/4 years of high school. Will this affect me dramatically?
- I recently got over my effort issue because I realized my goal of NYU and how I want to get there. As a result, my grades for Semester 1 were A-, B+, B-, B+. Now my grades are all solid A's for Semester 2.
- While I am doing my best to correct my mistakes it is too late in some ways. Next year was the only year my school offers an AP in the humanities department: AP US History. My teacher says because of my grades in Semester 1 she cannot recommend me for AP. As of now I am in the average 10th-grade history class: Modern American History
- I am taking next year for my courses: Geometry 1, Biology 1, Modern World History, and the highest level English available at my school (1-3)
- My real strength in school is English which I excel in. But my school does not offer any AP's in English and next year (AP US History) is the only year an AP is offered in humanities.
- I also have a talent for film as my Art/Video Production teacher has told me. That is something I have that makes me unique
- For extra curriculars (I plan to keep for all four years) I have: Student Senate (Secretary leadership position) and I will run for vice president next year Model UN (I will probably get a leadership position next year) Speech and Debate (I just received captain of that and have qualified for national tournaments) I founded a humanism, equality club at my school I do play and act. I do film production and am getting a film internship this summer I plan to do every summer. I volunteer to help at the food pantry once a month and have a ton of community service hours from that.
- Even though film is a talent of mine, I would apply to Arts and Science School ED because Tisch is so much more difficult to get into.
- For history's junior year at LS, you can take a 1-3 or a 2-4. 1-3'S are the more rigorous courses I plan to take.
- Of course, I am going to study as hard as possible for the SAT's and ACT's and am getting a tutor in addition.
- What do you guys think I should do to increase my chances between now and my senior year? Some ideas I had were: Take Psychology junior year (even though it's a lower level) so that I can take the AP Psychology Exam and get credit Take a summer math course so I can allow myself to take AP Calculus AB my senior year. Take a summer Latin course so I can get a year ahead. (Latin at my school is by year and unleveled)
Thank you guys for any feedback you have. Be brutally honest and tell me what you think I would need to do to get there no matter how hard it is or if I already blew my chances.