How can I improve?

Applying to College Admission Stories
1

I’m currently a sophomore in the class of 2015. I’m aware that I’m among the hardest working people in my class. For example, only 20 people, more or less, in the sophomore class has taken one or less AP classes… and most that took that one AP class had horrible grades. I’m the only one to have taken two AP classes and get good grades throughout the courses. The two AP courses I’ve taken are AP Environmental Science and AP Psychology. In my other classes, I’ve maintained all A’s and B’s. So far I’ve only gotten one C in my entire time in high school so far and that was one point away from a B and it was in an AP class. Aside from my academic achievements, I’m active in community service work with my school Leo Club. In addition to my dedication in the Leo Club, I’m also active in the DECA Club, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Singing/songwriting club, Math Club, Youth of Extraordinary Spirit Group, Odyssey of the Mind team, and I’ve started an Astrophysics Club. I plan on continuing my membership in these organizations as well as creating a Mock Trial Team next year. During my summers, I like to do summer programs. So far I’ve attended an Aviation Career Education Academy summer program, I’ve served as a page at the North Carolina Senate, and I plan on attending two summer programs at two separate colleges, two weeks each over the course of my summer. I plan on taking more AP courses and joining more clubs next year as well as become more involved in the community. I took the SAT as a sophomore and scored a 540 on Reading, 460 on Math, and 520 on Writing. I’ve won many awards such as academic achievement awards, leadership awards, and awards from DECA for being a finalist in the Business Finance competition.

With all of this being said about myself, I know there is A LOT that needs to be improved. I’m not sure what needs to be improved though or HOW I can improve those things because my counselors and teachers at school don’t take me seriously when I ask about how I can improve for college because I’m only a sophomore. I’m not aiming for Harvard or Yale even though I like what they’re known for. Instead, I’m aiming for Elon University, Tufts University, Colby College, Macalester College, Middlebury College, Johnson and Wales University, and similar colleges. I’ve got a large interest in law, physics, business, marketing, and political science. I need to know what to do in order to make myself outstanding to those colleges. Can someone help me out?

2

Here’s my advice. Don’t ask other people how you can improve. Just do all that you can so that in the end if an Ivy school rejects you, you can tell yourself: “I did all that I could and I gave it my best shot.” If you keep asking people what can I do to stand out then really you’re just selling yourself short. Don’t limit yourself. Go beyond what is asked and ultimately this is how you will find your passion. After all, everyone’s goal is to do what they love doing.

3

My advice to you would be to keep working hard. My friend got into Middlebury (it was her first choice - she applied ED and is playing soccer there) but she was also very active in clubs and other extracurriculars.

Like what Entric said, do what you need to do to make those schools a likely acceptance. You’re on the right track. :slight_smile: