High School plans

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>Hello~! I just joined College Confidential to post this. (You all seem very knowledgeable.) Hopefully you guys can help me out! </p>

<pre><code> How do I get into a prestigious uni/Ivy League/Harvard University? I'm a sophomore in high-school and I really need to make a plan for the rest of my high-school life (esp. since junior year is the most important). So far: I mentor and tutor people at my school, play volleyball and tennis, participate in Varsity LD (Speech and Debate), and I'm applying to volunteer at a hospital. I have a 4.0 GPA (weighted is 4.8).

My school does not offer AP classes nor does it have electives. We take all of the classes required by my school, however, they are all honors courses. I have taken Biology, Spanish I, Geometry, American History, Poetry, Music Theory/Choir, and Literature.

This year we finish Physics I, Algebra II/Trig/Pre-Calc, Music IV, Poetry II, World History, Literature (English), and Spanish II.

Since we can't take AP classes, will it greatly affect my chance of getting into an Ivy League school? What other things should I do? I'm thinking about creating a new club at my school which interests me as well as others, but I'm stumped.

Is there anyone here who has already applied to an Ivy League school and got in? If so, how did you do it? I really, truly want to get in. I've started preparation for the SAT and PSAT. What I'm confused about is the system. I don't quite understand how everything works. Grants, scholarships, loans...I'm confused. Are there certain things I have to apply to? I know about the NMSQT, so I'm aiming to get a high score on my PSAT.
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<p>~~My life's goal as of right now is to become a surgeon. To pursue my dream of becoming a cardio/neurologist, I want to go to the best undergraduate and graduate college. ~~</p>

<pre><code> All advice is appreciated! Suggestions for community service, study tips, college suggestions, clubs etc. are also awesome. Please help me plan the rest of my high-school life! :)
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<p>This article was written for you: [Applying</a> Sideways | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways]Applying”>Applying Sideways | MIT Admissions)</p>

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<p>By the way, you can become a physician coming out of any school, and your chances are better coming out of any Ivy, perhaps. However, your performance at whatever school you go to will decide which med school you get into, not the pedigree/reputation of your undergraduate college. The MCAT’s are the same, regardless of the college you attend.</p>

<p>Having interviewed and dealt with numerous physicians in my work, the prestige comes from your residency program, which is a long way from your undergraduate years. In my experience, most docs did their undergrad work at either a private school with good or great names or at flagship state universities, but I’m not sure I’ve seen a trend beyond that that places them in med school or top residency programs (I’m sure someone will pull out some research or some anecdotal information to disprove that, but this is my experience).</p>

<p>But as Gibby was implying, you’re getting way ahead of the game. 60% to 70% of college students change their majors after they get to college. Targeting yourself narrowly to become a cardio/neurologist and a surgeon is premature. Work hard in school, get involved in extracurriculars, and enjoy high school, rather than try to craft something to get yourself into Harvard.</p>

<p>I went to Princeton, and had barely heard of the school in 10th grade. I just took the classes that seemed sensible for me to take in high school and spent an inordinate time on one extracurricular activity that I really enjoyed (and I excelled at it because I really enjoyed doing it). I had no plan to get into an elite school, but got in because I spent time doing what I loved to do.</p>

<p>PS: Admissions won’t penalize you because your school doesn’t offer AP courses. They want you take the most rigorous schedule offered, and excel at it.</p>

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<p>Though the feel-good answer is that colleges won’t be upset that your school doesn’t have APs, I’d still say that they will be and your chances are slim. APs help your writing/whatever skills which in turn help your test scores.</p>

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<p>^^ Meh. See: [Dartmouth</a> College Ending Advanced Placement Credit](<a href=“HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost”>HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost)</p>

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<p>Expand your ECs. Lots of community service including ones of leadership positions (ex. organizing a trip / orchestrating an entire project) and keep up the sports.</p>

<p>You need to understand though that there is no one mould that all Ivy applicants fit into. Just keep up your grades, take the most challenging classes your school offers, and join ECs (but not too many; better to have 1-2 that you’re really involved in aka president, vp, hold awards in etc than having 5-6 that you’re just a member of. And consistency is good - once you start something stick with it).</p>

<p>You’re on the right track, but remember that not getting into an ivy is NOT the end of the world, and if aiming for Harvard is stressing you out, please please please just stop, take a step back, and reevaluate your options. Your options will always be more open than you think.</p>

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<p>Right, I agree with you about the ECs. Im focusing on Speech and Debate and Key Club, instead of joining every single club I can. My dream has been to go to Harvard, but if that doesn’t work out then I’m fine with that. I just want my goal to be Harvard. If I am good enough to be considered there, then I know I’m good enough for other places. If some other college comes along the way that I really like, then I know that I have the qualifications to go there. I’m just setting my standards high.
What worries me are the stories of other people I know. They all exceeded in basically everything, and they were better at planning than me, but none of them were able to go to the college they wanted. They all ended up giving up at the end, and I don’t want to turn out like that.
Thanks for your advice! :)</p>

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<p>“Targeting yourself narrowly to become a cardio/neurologist and a surgeon is premature. Work hard in school, get involved in extracurriculars, and enjoy high school, rather than try to craft something to get yourself into Harvard.” ~Boondocks</p>

<p>I’m not exactly narrowing my mind to become that type of surgeon. What I know for certain is that I want to go into the medical field. All other options don’t spark an interest in me. But just because I want to be a doctor doesn’t mean that I will completely shut my mind to all other options.
From my point of view, I’m enjoying my high-school life so far. I’m in the clubs that interest me and I know when and when not to be serious. What I’m looking for right now is a list of options of the different ECs I can do. I want to volunteer more (not just because of the hours).
My parents tell me that I’m really behind right now. The “game” started last year and I haven’t created a strategy yet. That’s what I need help doing right now.
But for the advice you have given me, thanks! :slight_smile: </p>

<p>P.S. I have no idea how this quoting system works</p>

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<p>I knew it’s very hard to get in Princeton. You must have outstanding records.
Can you share your EC? Thanks!</p>