<p>So I'm a sophomore and I know where I want to apply.
Ideally I want to end up in NYC for college, and my top choice is Columbia, followed by NYU, Julliard, Fordham, and a few others not in New York like Johns Hopkins (I've been studying psychology independently for 3 years, and I might want to take that career path). So that gives you an idea of schools - with possible majors being Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Psychology, or Political Science. I know that may be broad, but I know I have time to choose, and I have deep passions for a lot of things.</p>
<p>My GPA freshman year weighted was a 4.38, unweighted 3.85.</p>
<p>Biology - A
English Honors - A
Drama - A
World Geography - A
Computer Skills - A
Algebra II/Trig Honors - B
Theology 9 - A
Spanish I - A</p>
<p>Grades so far sophomore year:</p>
<p>AP World History - A
Studio Conservatory Honors (senior-level intensive theatre class) - A
Pre Calculus Honors - B
Spanish II - A
English 10 Honors - A
Chemistry Honors - A
Theology 10 - A</p>
<p>The one that I'm a bit worried about being Pre-Calculus. I'm not necessarily a math person, but I've always benefitted from challenging myself, even if it meant getting a B. I'm also self studying AP Psychology this year.</p>
<p>This year's GPA should be higher than the last, and hopefully it will continue on an upward trend. But especially in a subject like math, how much can a B in AP Calculus AB hurt me when applying to a school like Columbia, even if my GPA is still high?</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I'm a student at the prominent theatre conservatory in the area, I hold a teaching assistant job there, and I'm a member of their Senior Acting Company. I take musical theatre classes, dance, voice lessons, and I've completed the highest levels of their acting classes. 2 showcases a year, then a separate Acting Company show run. Time commitment: around 20 hours a week.</p></li>
<li><p>I'm very active in my school's theatre department. This spring I'll be assisting directing the musical, I was a lead in the spring play freshman year, and I'm in the highest musical theatre class they offer.</p></li>
<li><p>I do Lincoln Douglas debate and I've won both local and national tournaments. Huge time commitment, around 30 hours a week of research and writing and practicing, not including all of the time I spend almost every weekend at tournaments.</p></li>
<li><p>I was inspired by Luke Jerram's street piano project "Play Me, I'm Yours". I physically saw in New York City and London how it was a catalyst for real human interaction and joy. I had the idea to bring it to my school and put a piano in the school lobby and it's been extremely successful, with me orchestrating its presence at school events and schedules for students to play between class periods. I did this as a freshman, btw.</p></li>
<li><p>I've been playing piano for 6 years. I don't compete but I play at honors recitals for my music school.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>There's other smaller things, but those are my big weekly commitments. </p>
<p>Is there a particular talent among the above I should be developing in the next couple years? Do I have a hook hidden somewhere in what I'm doing, and if not, how can I find one? What are some examples?</p>
<p>Also, my school doesn't rank, if that means anything. And I'm a white upper middle class female at a Catholic high school in Raleigh NC.</p>
<p>I just don't feel like my chances are that great, given some of what I've seen on this board - but then again, they've got a year on me.</p>