How can I improve my chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>Cornell isn't my 100% dream school but it is a school that I would definitely want to attend and am aiming for. However, I don't know exactly where to start in order to improve my chances of getting in.
I'm a sophomore at a good private Catholic school in CA. Indian, female. No hooks.
I took the SAT as an 8th grader and got a 2080 on it.. I'll take it again as a junior. I'm about to take the PSAT. I took 3 honors classes as a freshman (the most offered by my school) - my cumulative weighted GPA was a 4.41 and my unweighted was a 3.9 I think (I had one A- first semester). I got a 770 on both the bio (E) and math I SATs. I'm currently taking 2 honors and 2 APs (euro and calc ab) and I'll take the chem and math 2 sats this june.
I have been doing classical Indian dance for almost 10 years, and I've been a violinist for almost 5. I've passed with distinction in 3 levels of violin exams and have participating in countless programs for dance. I'm an editor for my school newspaper, and I'm on the board of my schools future medical students club. I'm also part of the international club, human rights club, research club, etc - not important because they're not leadership roles. I have ~45 volunteer hours so far in the year, hopefully more by the end of the year. Currently working on setting up a toy drive for underprivileged kids at my school. Will be a part of CSF second semester.
I really want to get started on some kind of lab research but I have NO idea where to begin (any tips would be greatly appreciated!!).</p>

<p>How can I improve my chances over the next two (well, three) years? Also what are some good summer programs?
I know, there's no one way, but I'd at least like to get some advice on where to improve
Thank you!
(previously posted something similar on another forum)</p>

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<p>Don’t look for ways to get into a college your sophomore year, or really ever. Just do what you love to do and get the best grades that you can get.</p>

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<p>Just keep doing what interests you; as a high school sophomore you already look to be well on your way to getting accepted at Cornell (along with many other top schools), as long as you keep up the great work. </p>

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<p>You are definetely on the right track. Reasearch which college within Cornell that you would like to apply to, this may help you with writing your essays. It appears like you will have the SAT’s, grades, EC’s & course rigor…essays, leters of rec. & applying ED are all things in your control that will be determining factors. </p>

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<p>@csdad‌ @shockastrika83‌ @Zenithar143‌ thank you so much! </p>

<p>Do you have any tips for getting an internship in a local research lab? I’d like to get started on a project that I could possibly submit to a local science fair early next year. </p>

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<p>Why don’t you get fully engaged in activities that you find valuable. Go the extra mile. Get out of your comfort zone and push yourself to do meaningful things. Don’t follow the crowd or worry about doing what everyone else does. It is petty sad to watch high school students so badly wanting to be like everyone else and then criticizing or teasing those that seem “different” and then on college applications trying to be just like those they teased as not fitting in while they try desperately to convince college admissions committees that they stand out somehow. No, they spent the last 12 years trying to stand in and teasing and being cruel towards those they are now pretending to be. Sad stuff! Break away and involve yourself in meaningful things instead of the next party Friday night!</p>