<p>chanman - Don't tell them what you will do. Do it first! If you tell them that ec's bit, they'll think you're just trying to make excuses for yourself. You don't want or need that for your case!</p>
<p>i cant show them because it's too late lol!!</p>
<hr>
<p>i already screwed up my junior year by doing wayyyy to many activities.
and my grades DOWNWARD trend.</p>
<p>9th grade rakned 5th/360 ALL As
10th ranked 4th/330 3 Bs, 1 C total<br>
^ grade inflation.</p>
<p>11th ranked 6th/320. 3 Bs.
This semester. maybe 3 Bs. again.</p>
<p>I will rank 7th maybe. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>and i am taking INSANE classes (7 APs, 2 histories. 1 of the hisotry classes everyone gets Bs in).</p>
<hr>
<p>the BIGGEST MISTAKE I MADE is taking HARD AS HELL classes my junior year.</p>
<p>DONT EVER DO THAT.</p>
<p>next year i'm taking ap stat, ap lit, ap psychology, orchestra, Weighted chemistry class.</p>
<p>^i should have switched my senior and junior courses.</p>
<p>since my senior year is SOOOO EASY classes.</p>
<p>so now, i chose the Hardest classes IN THE SCHOOL iin the junior year and did a HELL lot of ECs this year.</p>
<p>next year will be cake. i WILL GET ALL A's.!!
VERY VERY easy classes.</p>
<p>but, it will be TOO LATE.
I'm applying ED to wharton</p>
<p>Chanman, simple fact is that you can't present something you're not. Post after post you seem to be looking for a slant, a trick, something to make the facts appear differently.</p>
<p>Live with the facts and apply to schools where you have a realistic chance.</p>
<p>do u think i have a realistic chance at wharton? </p>
<p>(just a side post lol, this isnt What are my chances "</p>
<p>sigh, i dont understand how you can rank so highly with those grades
i have 4 Bs total at my school, and im 80/800</p>
<p>"Chanman, simple fact is that you can't present something you're not. Post after post you seem to be looking for a slant, a trick, something to make the facts appear differently.</p>
<p>Live with the facts and apply to schools where you have a realistic chance."---Originally posted by zagat</p>
<p>This is the best advice I've read, and I would again, advice you to LISTEN to it. </p>
<p>You sound like a person...SO CRAZY about going to a good college, that you've "stepped without looking ahead." </p>
<p>What do I mean by that?</p>
<p>You have so much you want to do, so much you want to show to these adcom people. But you've failed to realize, that all the things you've done...are not you. You've done it out the fact that you have to impress these people. You've put YOURSELF behind, your enjoyment, your own TIME behind you, just for the sake of college acceptance. </p>
<p>You're blinded for that acceptance letter that you'd do nearly anything for it, am I wrong? </p>
<p>You say you do sports, music, dance, leadership positions etc. etc. But you've failed to realize that you are the student that the colleges try to AVOID.</p>
<p>Yes. Avoid. They want kids who can enjoy themselves, have fun, take a time out, balancing their OWN LIFE and academics! They want to see a person who wants to chase after their own passions, their own talents, people who'd continue doing whatever they're doing even if the Ivies, the rest of the colleges didn't even exist. They look for passion, a quality that so many of us can, and do have, but so little of us show. </p>
<p>You haven't messed up your grades. What you've messed up, is chasing after only college, instad of your passions. And that, is truly a mistake.</p>
<p>I know this because I'm SURROUNDED by these kinds of people, at school, in my family where my relatives all attend top-tier universities in Korea (Seoul University) and the U.S. And then there are those of our family members who TRY. What's ironic, is that those of us who TRY SO damn HARD, are the ones that don't make it. The people who get the acceptance, have one weapon that none of us have. It is themselves, not a person wearing the "I'll do anything to get into a good college" MASK, and the skill to SHOW themselves on paper. </p>
<p>---ok, now getting off of my soap box, a downward trend as you've mentioned, is something that they definately DO try and avoid. You'll have to prove that somehow..recs, essays?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>That makes a good point.</p>
<p>but what if they are ALL my passions?</p>
<p>i have done them since i was very young.
and the reason that I keep doing them is because my personality is never to drop anything. (if i do something, i keep doing it and never give up on it)</p>
<p>true, i am finding a slant and a trick to explain my grades and stuff and make the admission process slant towards me.</p>
<p>but i really am the type of person that will NEVER stop doing anything.
all my activities I do , I really love and I didnt necessarily "do them for college".</p>
<p>Why will colleges avoid people like me?</p>
<p>Thee only reason why they would avoid you is because they may think that you're taking part in the activities just to get into college and not because you actually enjoy the activities. They want true passion. </p>
<p>I would recommend that you rethink the number of activities that you take part in during the school year even if you don't like quitting anything (maybe only do them during the summer months). If the activities are jepardizing your ability to perform as well as you'd like in a class, they're not worth it. The colleges look first and foremost at your grades no matter how much they like well rounded students.</p>
<p>If you truly love all your activities, make sure that you show it. Show it in your essays, emphasize that in your interviews, and make sure that your counselor and teachers emphasize that as well. There's nothing wrong with having many passions. However, you shouldn't let them overwhelm you to a point that your academics suffer.</p>
<p>Chanman, what you want to show is some focus where your passions are concerned. You want to be a person who sees things through, who takes passions and works to exel in them. Otherwise you could look like a jack of all trades, master of none. Great person to have at a cocktail party for conversation, but not likely to be among the most successful.</p>
<p>Top colleges are looking for people who will excel and make a difference in their areas.</p>
<p>thanks for ur imput</p>
<p>i'll try to reverse some ECs lol.</p>
<p>Oh, oneee more thing.</p>
<p>That inconsistency thing is coming up again.</p>
<p>i just got my SAT II Scores.
They DO NOT MATCH with my grades/stats at all.</p>
<p>for eg.</p>
<p>My scores:
Bio 700
US history 730
Math II 750.</p>
<p>At school, i get B-s in history alllll the time. Biology i have a high A. Math I rock at. 36 ACT math.</p>
<p>in history, i got a C last year. and a 3 in euro. </p>
<p>And AP lang, i have A's. Except i WILL get a 2 on the AP exam. because I always get 10-20% on the practice tests.</p>
<p>inconsistency..eh...bad thing.</p>
<p>Chanman, given that you haven't done that well in classes where it seems you could have, are you expecting good recs from teachers. Do you know how they, and your counselor, feel about your performance at school relative to your obvious abilities?</p>
<p>yes. and no.</p>
<p>my math teaches all hate me because I never take notes.
(it's math!!! no need for notes. just read the book. do practice problems. bam!)</p>
<p>Ap lang, he likes me because i work hard. Even tho i get 20% on practice multiple choice AP Lang tests, i still do well in his class because of homework/essays/.</p>
<p>Biology, he thinks i'm really smart and I have one of the high grades in his class.</p>
<p>History-noooo. he thinks i'm stupid. but he thinks i work hard a lottt.</p>
<p>orchestra teacher-realyy likes me.</p>
<p>i'm thinking about Orchestra/Biology teacher/Lang Teacher/1 more teacher next year.</p>
<p>oh, and my abilities suck. I am a BAD test taker. Tat is what makes my grades go so low. I do my homework ALL the time. I just don't have time to study and stuff., so i study at school!! and some teachers get ****ed when i read about french in math class.</p>
<p>i really don't have the ability to do well on TESTS. Homework brings my grades up.</p>
<p>I thought they only wanted 2..maybe 3 recs at max? So no, they don't want all those recs from you.</p>
<p>The fact that you state you have passions in ALL of them, will sound pretty doubtful, even suspicious, since anyone can say "I have passions" when they have their own "laundry list." The only proof they have is your own "I have a passion" statement. Show it somehow. Prove it. If you can't, it'll play negatively on your part. Holding leader positions is NOT, I repeat, NOT showing you have "passion" in them. Anyone can serve TIME, anyone can sit in a club for about 4 years, show some interest, gain popularity, and win a position. Big deal. It's what you DO with the title. The question "I am president of blah blah..." will be met with the question "So what? What bout that position? What did you DO with it?"</p>
<p>"but i really am the type of person that will NEVER stop doing anything.
all my activities I do , I really love and I didnt necessarily "do them for college"."</p>
<p>Prove this. Can you? ANYONE can say this. I'm not saying you're just making this up or anything, please don't take it that way. I'm just saying, how can someone who's never met you before, believe this? </p>
<p>And you're the type that "Does not drop" anything that you started, which is great dedication, but a poor decision. If your grades are slipping due to your overwhelmingly and sometimes unnecessary EC's, then its time to cut some of those out.</p>
<p>chanman,
You know that you have an inconsistant application. At places like Wharton, your serious competition are kids that have very consistant application. If you start looking at good schools that are not so insanely competitive, you will probably do well next spring. </p>
<p>For your senior year, you need to manage your time better so your 1st quarter and midyear grades are better. Your rigor of your courses is good - you need to show that you can be a good student as well. You can mention that you have improved your time management skills, and have learned that over-extending yourself is bad. Excuses won't work. Increased maturity may.</p>
<p>Chanman, you'll have to remind which colleges you're aiming for. Feel free to ask teachers how they will be rating you compared to others they have and will be writing a rec for. Successful applicants at very top colleges usually have teachers checking boxes next to "one of the best I've ever.................</p>
<p>thanks everyone, i'll keep it in mind</p>
<p>zagat, i'm aiming for wharton, harvard/stanford (YEA RIGHT), columbia, u of chicago, michigan backup</p>
<p>Find another match school, and for heavens sakes apply as early as you can to michigan. You have a chance at UChicago but your essay is going to make or break you.</p>
<p>yes, uchicago is all about essays.
that's good, because essays are really easy. as long as you're not a rock anyone can write pretty attractive essays</p>
<p>here's my laundry list by the way
some of the things are pretty meaningless and i do intend to delete some things.</p>
<p>**School stuff
Academic Team/Quiz bowl
Some events include: 1st at U. of MO Columbia Tournament, 3rd at Washington University Tournament, 1st at districts
Numerous top individual medals
Captain (12th)
Speech and Debate Team (9th, 11th, 12th)
Eureka Website Design Team, Webcats (9th, 10th,12th)
Lead designer and manager
Taught students the basics of web site design
<a href="http://www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/eurekahs%5B/url%5D">www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/eurekahs</a>
Chess Club (9th, 11th, 12th)
Play chess after school once a week
Founder
Varsity Swim Team
Cross Country Team
Reaching out to others through service, ROOTS (10th-12th)
Talented and Gifted Group (9th-12th)
Mediate and Counsel with other students/talk about family problems, stress, etc.
French Honors Society (10th-12th)
Welcoming Wildcats-guide and orientate freshmen
Annual School Book club-Read and discuss books
Consistent winner for Math Money Contest
A monthly math competition held at school/3 winners each month
won about $125 total</p>
<p>**Music
Piano
played for 12 years (1st-12th)
Pianist for symphonic orchestra (9th-12th)
All State Auditions rating 1s
Other events such as NFSM Piano Guild, State (8th), Nationals (9th)/MMTA State finalists
Violin
Played for 8 years (4th-12th)
Symphonic Orchestra 2nd violin section leader (9th), co concertmaster (11th), concertmaster (12th)
Symphonic orchestra assistant high school conductor (12th)
All State auditions rating 1s
Excellence in Orchestra Scholarship Award, $250 (9th)
Private Accompanist for music auditions
Private Instructor-Prepare (and accompany) Middle School students for auditions and competitions
2 John M. Kastner Board of Education Music Awards (9th, 11th)
4 Superintendents Certificate Awards
Individually selected to play at Rockwood Board Meeting, Gold Standard Program and Rose Award Program
Taught elementary/middle school students at a clinic before the Rockwood MIOS concert
Volunteer at Rockwood Summer Music Camp
3 Orchestra Letter Awards</p>
<p>**Eagle Investments, LLC
Helped dad start/run a company
Real estate investment family business
In charge of communicating with tenants, writing letters, translating documents, ordering rehabilitation materials, and finding property online
Rehabilitated 9 apartments/currently have 8 units in rent.</p>
<p>**St. Louis Chinese School
Student (1-12th)
Chinese Lion Dance Team
Manager and Captain
Organize events, fundraise for school
Taught 20+ students the techniques and culture of Chinese lion dances
Perform at special occasions, such as Chinese New Year, Cultural festivals, grand openings of restaurants, etc.
Appeared on many interviews, articles, TV interviews
Currently the #1 team ranked in St. Louis. Forgot which newspaper did that.
Tai Kwan Do Student (3rd-10th)
Tai Kwan Do Assistant Instructor (8th-10th)
Instructed 20-30 students basic martial arts
Assistant Sparring instructor (10th)
Currently studying Wing Chun style (11th)
Dr. Santa Lin Community Service Award
Selected from 2 students each year
$100
2 Time winner Best Student Award (Formerly Full-Year Scholarship Award)
Selected from different levels of testing/four winners per year
$190
Top of Class Awards-Rewarded for best performance in Chinese classes</p>
<p>**Summer Activities
Worked at Little Saigon Chinese restaurant, summer job (10th)
Independent Study Course Skip-Chemistry (9th)
Independent Study Course Skip-French III (10th)
Attended US Naval Academy Summer Seminar (11th)
Traveled to home in Hong Kong (9th)
Tutored relatives in English and Science, about 20 hours total
Student Conservation Association
1 month long of community service at Connecticut Upper River Basin</p>
<p>**Interests/hobbies
Computers and Technology
Taught self web design, PHP, HTML, and JavaScript
Created a home web server and website, which is now mainly run by friends
<a href="http://www.chantown.com%5B/url%5D">www.chantown.com</a> online from 8am-11pm central time only
Created a free express email program
<a href="http://www.mail.chantown.com%5B/url%5D">www.mail.chantown.com</a> (online 24/7)
Digital Photography
photography gallery at <a href="http://www.chantown.com/cpg132%5B/url%5D">www.chantown.com/cpg132</a>
Poetry/Writing
St. Louis Symphony Express the Music Poetry Contest-Top 10 Finalist (10th)
National High School Poetry Contest-Regional Winner(11th)
The Foundation Creative Expressions Volunteer-Compose and submit an open-topic prose or artwork each month for publishing (11th-12th)
-website isnt working right now By the way</p>
<p>**MISC
Multilingual-Cantonese (spoken language at home), Mandarin, English, and French
Independent Study AP Environmental Science (11th)
Independent Study AP Economics (12th)
Independent Study AP Calculus BC (12th)
Volunteer at St. Lukes Hospital (About 130 hours)
Senior Technology Education Program (11th-12th)
Nonprofit organization
Founder and President
One on one computer teaching for senior citizens
Encouraged more than 30 students to become teachers
Foreign Travel
Traveled to and experienced the rich cultures of Canada, China, Tailand, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and Hong Kong
Virtual Stock Exchange Player (view portfolio: Chantown)
400% increase in the last 4 years
Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
Resource Detective for Franklin, Boone Counties for MO
Extra Hands Network-Fundraised $1500, attend events and stuff
Participant in annual Camp Fire Incredible Kid Day (9-12)
Write letters to kids on March 17th
Elder Wisdom Circle Member (10th-12th)
Organization that elders a chance to express themselves.
Frequently talk and chat with elders, give/receive advice regarding school, family, health, etc. using an email system.
MO Botanical Gardens Chinese Culture Day-Acted/Performed Martial arts in a play called Monkey King
Gold Honor Roll, ACT honor roll</p>
<p>as u can see, i am pretty spread around. and it will be hard for me to "show" colleges that i love everything i do.</p>
<p>LoL. I suggest you trim that. As for focus, just apply as undecided. It will be complementary I suppose.</p>