I’m going to be a high school junior during the 2016-17 school year. We just moved to Florida from NY during March of my sophomore year in high school. I know that I’m severely lacking in ECs, so far I only have approximately 180 volunteer hours from a hospital I used to volunteer at and been a participant in one club, DECA, at my old school. Also, I’ve helped raise money for charity (CHASA) and run a nonprofit Facebook page, if that counts? As for SATs and ACTs, I’m prepping this summer through online courses and books (on my PSATs last October I got an 1140/1520.) Despite what my PSAT score says, academics have always been my strong point, since middle school I’ve been in all honors and AP classes. I guess I have an edge in that I have moved every year for five years (up and down the eastern coast and a year in India) but that was through elementary school. My weighted GPA is currently a 4.4. Now, I know that I wouldn’t be accepted to any of the schools that I want to go to (such as BU, Northeastern, UW, etc.) For my junior year I’m going to do the AAA program at FIU (it’s basically a full-time dual enrollment program hosted at FIU, each school day from nine to one I’m taking college courses (10 credits a semester) and then from one to four I am finishing my high school grad requirements on the FIU campus, so I end up graduating with 40-60 college credits) which will take up most of my time. However, I don’t think that will hold much weight with the admissions of any college and I really don’t have much else going for me. I’m applying for a couple scholarships this year, more to show college admissions that I have always cared, but I don’t think that’ll help me much either. I suck at all things athletic, all of the volunteering options here are admin work on weekdays from nine to five (how are students supposed to meet these hours?!), and I’m working my butt off for good SAT and ACT scores but positive thinking can only do so much. I have really high aspirations but they don’t seem to be realistic right now. How can I improve?
First of all, learn to use paragraphs. It’s a pretty basic writing skill and actually quite helpful in getting people to read your writing.
Secondly, you don’t need to attend a top school to go to medical school, so stop worrying so much. You should be more worried about how you are going to pay for it all.
Thirdly, I have a hard time believing that it’s impossible to volunteer anywhere except weekdays from 9-5. Top colleges value kids who find or create opportunities.
The college courses will certainly help admissions in that you are taking a very rigorous schedule.
You have to create opportunities for ECs- many traditional ECs like volunteering are hard for high school students to get because of the hours. Try to create a club in your school, or join an existing one, or talk to your family and see if family friends would be interested in having you intern after school for them.
As for tests, just work as hard as you can and remember you can always retake them if you don’t get the score you want the first time.