High School Sophomore Looking for Advice

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I am currently in my Sophomore year in high school, and am seeking to get into top universities such as Dartmouth, Northwestern, UPenn, and Georgetown (original, I know). Does anyone have any advice that will make my application better when I apply?</p>

<p>Here is some information:</p>

<p>GPA - 4.14 (Weighted), 4.0 (Unweighted), and that has been consistent for every quarter since ninth grade started
Tests - I have taken the PSAT twice - the first time I got a 216, the second a 234.
My current classes are all honors and I am taking the only AP class currently available to me, which is AP Government. In addition, I plan to seek the full IB Diploma.
Current Activities:
French Club - President
International Club
Environmental Club
Scholastic Bowl
Chess Club
NHS
In July, I will be attending Georgetown University's Summer program for high school students, where I will take a business and economics course, both for college credit. In addition to this, I will be going to a program called the Civic Leadership Institute, hosted at Northwestern University, over Spring Break.
Last summer I attended the Virginia Governors School for French, and also interned at the Washington D.C. office of Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa.<br>
Finally, I play violin and piano, and have been to three or four music festivals where I have performed solo and with others. </p>

<p>I know how competitive the admissions process I'm about to step into is, so any recommendations would be very much appreciated. </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>I'm also a sophmore, with similar stats. your in-school ec's seem unfocused, while your out of school ec's are all over the place but more foceused, i think. also what is your class rank?</p>

<p>You might want to put this on the "What are my chances?" board. You might get more responses. But anyway:
You're an amazing student. It can been seen through your PSAT scores and your GPA. Just keep doing what you're doing because it looks like your doing fine.
Also, make sure to stand out as much as you can. The schools you want to apply to get amazing applicants that might even be better than you so you have to make the school choose you over those other 10 kids that are fighting for the same spot. Good Luck with everything! :)
p.s. you got Killer PSAT scores. I would kill to have gotten those scores when I took the PSAT. :)</p>

<p>I am ranked 2 out of 197 students in the tenth grade, and yeah I know how my ecs are, but I have lots of interests, and time too I guess. </p>

<p>Thanks for the comments!</p>

<p>you will have trouble getting into your local state school with that unweighted gpa, you need to work hard to pull it up. Also, study hard for the sat, 2340 is almost laughable.</p>

<p>ignore person above me.</p>

<p>your stats far surpass many people's, mine included. haha.</p>

<p>just find some leadership.</p>

<p>Hmm, </p>

<p>Leadership is one of the things I've always had a lot of trouble, at least in terms of making it show up on an application. I mean, last year I got an award for leadership in the classroom, and I am the president of the French club, but other than that I'm a little bit lacking. Now all I have to do is find somewhere to be a leader.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>Here is what you need (Im telling you this cuz I wish I had som1 tell me like this):</p>

<p>You need to start focusing your interests and talents WAY more.
You need more leadership skills, but dnt just become some officer cuz it looks good
If you are like me, leadership is naturally fun and then things start handling themselves.</p>

<p>One thing I have to say abt your stuff is that you look like a person who "CARES" too much abt what a college thinks. The people who get into Ivies and other such colleges are people who are NATURALLY interested in their activities. NO ONE CAN STRESS THIS ENOUGH. It dsnt mattr if u like gardening or electronics, put effort into this ONE(to THREE) activity(ies) and try to become the best in that. For example, I would try to win gardening contests or smthing.</p>

<p>Also, it HELPS a lot if the thing you are interested in the most, is related to your major. Funny how those two properties usually overlap.</p>

<p>I just hate how so many ppl on CC especially just put all their ECs down thinking that it helps or looks good.</p>

<p>LASTLY, make sure you keep a 4.0 throughout your HS life. It would make your life so much easier trust me. Then, start taking your SATs OCT of your junior year. This gives you so much time for any screw ups. AND trust me, I thot it would be easy to ace the SAT first try and all. But for me I cudnt do it first try, but luckily I plannd ahead. Remembr SAT IIs (Study for em, dont wing it) lolol I winged them the first time and ended up with high 600s to low 700s and then studied and got close to perfects.</p>

<p>LASTLY (lolol), taking summer college programs like Stanfords or Georgetowns I think have 0 effect on your app. So instead take meaningful classes related to your interests and dont pay the $Big Bucks$ for them (take em at a community college). lolol.</p>

<p>Remembr stop "PILING" up the Ecs on your app.</p>

<p>
[quote]
also interned at the Washington D.C. office of Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>wow .</p>