Guidance would be appreciated?

<p>To give myself some background:</p>

<p>I'm Asian and am a sophomore in a high school of 267 people. </p>

<p>My class rank wasn't the greatest last year (22), but since the line has been drawn this year b/c of A.P. Biology (I'm in it), I'm hoping my ranking will go up to 15 or so by this year (I sure do hope so). My school doesn't give out GPA in 4.0 or 6.0 but in the actual average. Mine would be a measley 100.5, pathetic I know, but I'm going to change it to a 101 or 101.5 by this year.</p>

<p>I'm currently in Swimming, in Boy Scouts and am expecting Eagle by next year. I'm a volunTEEN at my dad's hospital. I was eligible in the CTY search and have taken the SAT in 7th and 8th grades (both grades weren't the best, 1100 and 1200 respectively). I have been a student ambassador for People to People and have traveled to Europe with forty other students. I am able to play the piano and the alto saxophone. </p>

<p>Well that's basically the formalities, I'm planning to be a neuro surgeon and am booked with AP courses for the next two years (if my guidance counselor doesn't keep bi...sorry, this is the college discussion forum not the PS3 forum isn't it?). Harvard is without a doubt a rather publicized and highly talked about place so it is on my sights. But let's be frank, my academic region as of last year isn't too impressive as you've seen.</p>

<p>Any suggestions?</p>

<p>I don't know how to edit so...:</p>

<p>9th grade classes:
English 9
Algebra II
American Cultures I
Physical Science
Spanish II
Band
Computer Concepts</p>

<p>Currently:
AP Biology
English 10 Honors
Trigonometry/College Algebra
Spanish III
American Cultures II
Drivers Ed (...worst decision of my life...)</p>

<p>I applied to take a summer intensive course (AP Psychology at Johns Hopkins) and a academic year course via online from Johns Hopkins for AP Microeconomics</p>

<p>My college dreams are (although chances are low I know):
Harvard
Johns Hopkins
Columbia
Cornell
any other big named colleges that have good medical degrees and such for a career in neurology, specifically as a surgeon</p>

<p>I wonder...why does it matter that one goes to a name school if you want to go into the medical profession?</p>

<p>I've always thought it was kind of silly. I for one never asked my doctors where they went to school. Certainly if you went into the emergency room, you wouldn't even have a choice sometimes of who your doctor is.</p>

<p>WindCloudUltra: Great point. I must say, as a pre-med here, it's funny how I see students not become pre-med anymore because there are just so many other professions out there OTHER than medicine that are just as respected and less stressful.</p>

<p>My real inspiration is because my 6year old sister had a brain hemmorhage last year and survived on a life/death situation. Sure the money is great and the time involved is tough, but its worth it in my view. It's not the fact thats it a name school but because they're one of the better medical places out there.</p>

<p>So what are my chances at getting into IVY league or Johns Hopkins?</p>

<p>any advice on how to help out my chances?</p>

<p>you seem to be good on your way so far
but to be truthful, it's the two upcoming years
that will make you a strong prospective student
or one of many ordinary students..
its not just about the academics
how many aps you took
or what your sat score was
try to be the unique person you can be !
keep up the good work =)</p>

<p>Does Harvard have a good program for say...a future neurosurgeon?</p>