<p>Hey, Im a sophomore in high school. Ive begun the arduous task that is college searching, and Ive fallen into what some may call an unhealthy obsession with Caltech (dont worry, by the time Im actually applying to colleges, Im sure I wont have deluded myself with the notion that Caltech is the only place Ill be happy at). So, that said, I have some questions about how Im doing, what I should work on, and so on.</p>
<p>First off, does having a legacy there help in the admissions process at all? My brother is an alumnus of Caltech. (Ive even visited the college, to see him graduate, but I was probably only seven years old =P)</p>
<p>Secondly, I go to a fairly small school. Dont get me wrong; its a very good school. Its an open optional school in a K-12 setting, so we have a lot of students that are really active and self-motivated in their learning. We have our fair share of dullards, but ours are smarter than the ones at other schools, and are in smaller amounts. We dont have honors classes, and only one AP class that is regularly offered (Ap Lit), but our classes are generally more rigorous than the regular classes at other schools. Im planning on taking a couple of years of a foreign language at the local university, AP classes at other high schools, two to four mentorships, a course at a vocational school, and maybe an online course or two over the next couple of years. Will the fact that Im going out of my way to take higher classes that arent offered at my school be equal to or more impressive than taking several AP or honors classes like many do (Ill probably only be able to squeeze two or three in)? After all, I need to balance the courses Im taking at school to graduate high school, transportation to other schools during the day, homework, and all that good stuff.</p>
<p>The following is a summary of what Ive done so far in school and extracurricular activities and what I plan to do:</p>
<p>Freshman year: Nothing special. Just getting requirements out of the way. US History, Geometry, Spanish (which I hated, hence why Im going to take a different foreign language at the University), two years of language arts credits (no more room in the science class I was going to take). Grades were fair. Five Bs over four quarters, the rest were all As.</p>
<p>Sophomore Year: More requirements. World History, Algebra II, semester each of Psychology and AK Studies, Chemistry, and Biology. Ive gotten all As so far, and barring a horrible disaster, should get another straight A quarter to end the year. </p>
<p>This Summer: Honestly, Ive been planning too far into the future, and not planning enough for this summer. Im going to ask my science teacher if there are any good science summer programs I could be eligible for. I might take my first semester of a foreign language at the University this summer, unless it wouldnt work out very well. Might get a job or an internship somewhere. Havent looked enough yet. Also, in August Ill be in the Los Angeles area, and will hopefully get over to tour Caltech.</p>
<p>Junior Year: Heres where things get more interesting. What Im planning to take is: Math Analysis (triginometry and pre-calculus meshed into one), semester of Lifetime Personal Fitness and a quarter each of Creative Writing and Speech, semester each of Government and Economics, Physics, AP Lit, Model UN (independent study), Study Hall, foreign language, and one or two mentorships (depends on whether it takes one or two semesters to complete them). </p>
<p>Summer After Junior Year: No idea here, but itd be kind of cool if one of my mentorships resulted in an opportunity for a summer internships. Probably taking foreign language again. </p>
<p>Senior Year: Calculus, Advanced Composition (last graduation requirement), Computer Electronics Technology at the vocational school, AP Science (either biology, chemistry, or phsyics, at another high school), Model UN, Mentorships, foreign language.</p>
<p>Extracurriculars: I know that my extracurricular activities really need to be beefed up. Right now, the main thing going for me is Tae Kwon Do, which is great because by the time Im applying, Ill have done it for nearly 5 years, and be a second dan black belt, but Ill need more than just that. I figure that there are three categories of extracurriculars: arts, athletics, and academics. Ive got athletics down with Tae Kwon Do, but Id like to do something in either or both of the other two categories. Maybe play an instrument and find some science/math/engineering clubs around town. Any suggestions here would be great. </p>
<p>Test scores: I havent taken the SATs or ACTs yet. Ill probably take the SATs once at the beginning of Junior year, once at the end of Junior year, and once at the beginning of Senior year (if Im not satisfied with my scores by that point). I have taken the PSATs this year, though. My scores were 66 reading, 62 math, and 58 writing, which is kind of impressive considering that I scored higher than 98%, 93%, and 88% of all sophomores who took it. On other statewide testings, I do rather well. Just finished taking the high school graduation exams today, in fact. </p>
<p>Umm, this turned out a little longer than I expected, so to anyone who read through all that, help me out! Suggestions for classes, extracurriculars, summer programs, anything, are welcome.</p>