Honest Chances

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi CC, I'm a high school freshman in USA, midwest.
I'm Korean-American, 14, and came here when I was 3.
1st generation to live here, but parents went to college in South Korea. Is that a good hook?
My school is 5A, with 500 kids/class.
4.2 W, 4.0 UW, 1st rank, only kid in school history with weighted GPA
I'm wondering if any of you could give me tips based on my specs. Where do you think I could apply? (I am in absolute love of the Ivy league):</p>

<p>SAT (took it in 7th grade, 590 reading, 630 writing, 710 math, 1930 total)
taking SAT again in 2 weeks! :\
ACT (last month on December 10: 32 math and reading, 29 english, 28 science, 30 total)</p>

<p>no AP or SAT 2 tests...yet (taking AP stat./world and SAT 2 world history and SAT 2 math 2 in may/june)</p>

<p>school Schedule
AP World, trig/precalc H, AP statistics, Student Government, Spanish 3 H, English 1 H, Chem H.
Studying AP Bio online.
Freshman class president</p>

<p>Extracurricular
Oncology floor assistant secretary at local hospital
Junior representative of community library.
Tutoring 7-8th grade students in mathcounts
About 250 hours volunteer service
Soon-to-be-eagle scout.
6 years violin. Concertmaster of large in-state orchestra, Western-states Chamber honors orchestra placement
mathcounts team 11th place state
JV football and track
FBLA</p>

<p>self-declared weaknesses: essay writing, critical reading comprehension, arrogance at times
self-declared bonuses: well-rounded, confident, math/science
No decided major yet. Parents always bug me about being a medical doctor, which I might consider</p>

<p>I'm probably missing a few things, but I hope this is enough to put out there...
Please give me advice. How can I reach my goal and get accepted to a college? What is my possible range of colleges as of right now?
Much appreciated,
BKL</p>

2

<p>You are a freshman. Get off CC, quit worrying about college, quit taking standardized tests, and go enjoy your life. There is zero reason to take anything but the PSAT before your junior year, and doing so will only hurt your chances because colleges don’t like seeing that you’ve taken them 300 times. Taking either the SAT or the ACT more than three times puts you at a disadvantage. The same goes for SAT IIs. You should not be taking them yet.</p>

<p>Nobody cares about your first-semester GPA. It means very little. There will be six more semesters of grades on your transcript when you apply (or five for ED/EA). You’re on the right track, though, and have clearly done well so far, so keep it up!</p>

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<p>Nobody can accurately predict your chances yet. The best thing you can do right now is quit stressing about college and live your life. Do things you’re interested in, rather than what you think will look best on college apps, as the things you’re interested in end up looking the best on college apps.</p>

3

<p>You have no hooks dude. First-generation living here accounts for nothing. Your the cliche applicant and at the biggest disadvantage because your Korean and both your parents attended college.
Nothing spectacular in comparison to other Asians.
Like RedSeven said though, don’t worry about it.
You’ll be happy at your state school :)</p>

4

<p>Do what you love and you will get in.</p>

5

<p>Rough call @rfav32 with the reality check; you are right though. Don’t take the SAT’s or any other standardized test until at least junior year. Get your schedule to fit what you want to take. EC’s will be vital</p>