How am I looking?

<p>I'm a 10th grader from India, interested in biology. I'm also female, if that helps :).</p>

<p>Let's split this up into sub-fields, so that it's easier to read.</p>

<p>Grades:Awesome. Top few students in the class. No problems here.</p>

<p>Standardized tests: Taking the ACT in October, let's see how it goes, but I'm getting 34's in practise tests from the Rea ACT Book. SAT 2's should be pretty good as well.</p>

<p>EC's (where I think I need to focus):</p>

<p>National level tennis
Zillions of sports at the school level
Heavy involvement in MUN.
School magazine stuff.
Over the next 2 years, I'll probably be highly involved with in-school and some state-level cultural activities.
Gonna start biological research in a few months.
Plan to do quite a bit of volunteer work from next summer on (I'll have a 2 or 3-month break in May)</p>

<p>Recs: Should be pretty good. I'm on amazing terms with all my teachers :D</p>

<p>Essays: Expect them to be good, I feel I'm quite a good writer</p>

<p>So, I'm just starting out on this whole college process, just getting a feel for it. I've just started looking at potential colleges (have about 20 so far - don't worry, it'll be narrowed down in two years' time, and I'm sure there'll be many additions as well). So, as of now, these are the colleges which pique my interest:</p>

<p>Brown
Dartmouth
UPenn
Pomona
Johns Hopkins
Harvard
Bowdoin
MIT
Wake Forest
Tufts
Amherst
Rice
Duke
Washington University at St. Louis
Northwestern
Carleton
OSU
RPI</p>

<p>So, how am I looking for these places?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance. Pls. let me know if you want me to repay the favour (of chancing) on your thread ;).</p>

<p>start a few clubs that represent your passions and get leadership positions in the extracurriculars you currently participate in.</p>

<p>maintain your grades and really focus on AP scores. </p>

<p>I mean, it's pretty difficult to chance a 10th grader, but you're definitely on the right track.</p>

<p>Sadly, the Indian schooling system doesn't allow for clubs. Leadership positions - no problemo.</p>

<p>I'm self-studying for quite a few AP's, btw.</p>

<p>Post a chances thread when you've narrowed your list down to at most 10 colleges.</p>

<p>It's really too early to tell your chances, anyway, but I'd say you're on the right track.</p>

<p>Right track</p>

<p>Why focus on AP scores?</p>

<p>Colleges don't see them until AFTER you're accepted.</p>

<p>No, they will see the scores for the exams I take in May 08 and 09.</p>

<p>No... AP scores are not an admissions factor for almost all schools. If you're actually considering sending your scores to your schools right after you've taken your tests, I would advise you NOT to do so.</p>

<p>By the way, eternitygoddess, you should totally change your screen name to MaternityGoddess. That's what I thought it said at first.</p>

<p>More opinions, please!</p>

<p>Way to early to obsess about elite schools. Focus on your work now, and it will all fall into place. Its a good thing to practice the ACT or SAT, but other than that, relax and enjoy high school and don't worry about getting into a top tier school as of yet. Once you are a second semester Junior, after your ACT scores are in and your gpa and class rank more clarified and embellished, you can look at where you THINK you fit. Remember, college is not just about stats, its about FIT. They want kids they believe who will survive and thrive ...and that is not just about grades, but about social fit as well. Every school has its own culture, whether its sports, academics, socio-economic culture. Even in the list you compiled, there is a vast difference in admissions standards and cultural factors. </p>

<p>Good luck. And relax.</p>

<p>Keep up the good work, because you've still got a very large window of opportunity at all those schools. Worry about admissions when it gets there, and focus on your studies now.</p>

<p>Way Too Early</p>

<p>I know it's early guys, but would you say I'm on the right track for those schools which look interesting to me as of now?</p>

<p>Oh, I won't be needing fin aid. And these EC's are the ones I'll pursue through high school</p>

<p>This actually seems like an interesting applicant. I'm curious; these activities are rather generic, but if the OP achieves a high standard in them, will she get into her top choices?</p>

<p>Bump this. More replies please!</p>

<p>Isn't it a bit too early to think about college?</p>

<p>Please come back in a year. Without SAT scores and with little to go on in terms of academics and ECs, no one on CC can possibly advise you. </p>

<p>As a foreign student from India, the competition at the top schools will be extreme. </p>

<p>Go get a life.</p>

<p>balletgirl just owned you</p>

<p>It's good to send AP scores, as long as they're fours and fives. Really, you should list them - some admissions officers say they value them over SATs because they're the closest thing to college level tests.</p>

<p>BalletGirl, she listed her probable ACT scores.
Stop being a ***** about this. This site is ABOUT helping other people, and possibly calming them down about the process ^.^</p>