<p>OK. So. I'm an international student from Korea who is currently living in America, and is going to a public high school in a rather rural part of Connecticut.
I came here last March (March of 2012), and experienced the last three months of sophomore year, and is currently going through Junior year.
I have a lot of worries that are on my mind, the most prevalent being my grades.
When I came here sophomore year, the guidance counselor thought that I would need time to adjust, and put me in B level classes (B level is the 'normal' level, and A/ AD level is higher, more like the AP level of other schools).
The only A level course I took was AD Calc, and I managed to get all A range grades in the last three months of sophomore year.. except for dat B+ in PE. ugh.
However, since all my classes except Calculus were B level classes, my weighted GPA in only a 5.2 out of a 6.0 scale. For people that are unfamiliar with this scale, 5.6 is the preferred weighted GPA for Ivy league applicant at our school.
And now.. junior year.. I have slacked A LOT. I have a consistent B+ in PE (I really really really suck at physical tests, especially running. and push ups. and everything. I really hate myself for this), a B in AD Bio (I HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THIS!!) and a B+ in US History.
I am worrying myself to death about my grades.</p>
<p>First of all, PE. UGH. I just can't seem to run a mile. Having lived in a part of Asia where academics are wayyyyyy more stressed than music or PE, I have never had a chance to work on my physical abilities. PE class was just like a study hall for me back in Korea; naturally, I suck at sports. This keeps bringing my GPA down.. and I hate it.</p>
<p>Second, AD Bio. The teacher is a very nice old lady. However, she just. can't. teach. I had lovveddddd bio before taking this course, and now.. I'm just a step away from hating the course. I really don't know what to do, and this B in a prominent AD course is really stressing me out.</p>
<p>Last, A level US History. I really have nothing to say about this, the B+ was purely due to my lack of studying. I am striving for an A this semester though.. :(</p>
<p>As a side note, in AP Stats, I also have a B, but only because the teacher graded the midterms really weirdly; even though the questions didn't say I had to show my work, he marked all the right answers without equations wrong. He said he was 'preparing' me for the actual AP Stats test, and... bleh. However, this is an year long course, so If I do well this semester, I can bring this B up to an A range grade.. and that A-range grade will be the only grade to show up on my final transcript.. hopefully. THANK GOD.</p>
<p>So in all, if I work really hard, I will end up with two B-range grades in academic courses (excluding PE, B in AD Bio and B+ in A level US History) on my final transcript for college. Will this affect my chances of getting in to a 'good' school greatly? I am very, very, very stressed out and depressed and anxious about my current grades. My heart starts to pound whenever I log on to PowerSchool to check my grades, and now I almost never go on PowerSchool just because it makes me really jittery and nervous.</p>
<p>I have taken the January SATs. I am predicting a 2100-range score, and will take it again. I am hoping for a 2300-range score by the time I actually start applying to colleges. I have taken one SAT II test; Math II, and I got an 800.
For extra curriculars, I am on the Math Team (typical Asian, smh.), Women's choir, Leo Club (a volunteer club), Student Congress and Model UN (typical, yes, but I am VERY passionate about this. I LOVE MODEL UN SO MUCH. OMG.). I am also doing a research internship at the Psychology department at a nearby state university (yes, UCONN). I am planning to start tutoring math to younger kids of low-income families. I also plan to acquire some leadership statuses in the ECs that I am participating in by senior year.</p>
<p>I know this sounds like an excuse, but I came here at the end of sophomore year and missed out on a lot of extracurricular/ volunteer activities. I am also very worried about this. </p>
<p>Other than this, I am a very weird, quirky person which, if used well, could guaranty fun and humorous college essays. However, I catch myself worrying excessively over grades and ECs. I get very anxious and UGH. IM PRETTY SURE YOU CAN READ THE ANXIETY IN MY POST.</p>
<p>Do I severely lack the stats and the volunteer hours to get in to a prestigious university? I know I might come off as a typical Asian here, but I tend to emphasize the effects of college in my life. Like.. seriously. My senior friends are surprised at how much I am stressed out about college.</p>
<p>Help me out here!!!! PLEASE!! Do you have any suggestions or advice that you would like to give me?</p>
<p>(p.s. I had stayed in America for 2 years in elementary school ten years ago, and for some reason I still haven't lost the ability to speak English pretty fluently; people don't know I'm not from America unless I tell them. Just throwing it out there, for additional info!!!!)</p>