How do I increase my college admissions from here?

[Thaifu]

I aplogize if I posted on the wrong forum. I am currently a high school sophomore. I am absolutely nothing special. I don’t play any sports and I’m not involved in any good extracurricular activities. I want to become competitive, but I’m not sure where to start. These are my current courses:

Pre-AP English II
Pre-AP Computer Science
AP World History
Pre-AP Algebra II
Pre-AP Chemistry
Medical Terminology
Pre-AP Spanish II

I know, it’s awful. I wasn’t allowed to take AP Biology, so I’m self-studying it this year. But the root of the problem is that I don’t do anything special that increases my chances. The only extracurricular activities I do right now are:

Key Club
Mu Alpha Theta
Science Olympiad
Robotics
HOSA

You can see that nothing is really special about this. Really the only redeeming feature I have is that I make good grades, but there are still about 5 people in my school who would rank above me, so again nothing to say there. It would probably be impressive if I had accumulated awards or leadership positions, but I just joined Mu Alpha Theta, I don’t do much in Science Olympiad, Robotics literally started this year, I just joined HOSA, and Key Club is simply nothing special. I have a heavy interest in math and science, but my knowledge is PITIFUL. I’m only in Algebra 2 and Chemistry, and I’ve somehow never gotten above 750 on my math SAT, despite understanding most if not all of the material. I’ve never done AMC, I don’t know where to start or how to study. I’m currently studying for USABO/IBO, but I don’t know if I’ll be any good. I want to do USAPHO, but again, I don’t know anything past Algebra 2 and Chemistry at the moment, and I’m a sophomore. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do. Am I supposed to study math and science ahead on my own? Should I prep for the competitions with only my current knowledge? etc. etc. I feel completely confined by my lack of knowledge and experience. How do I develop into a competitive applicant from this point? Just seeing all my stats laid out like this reminds me of how terrible of an applicant I am. I don’t have any powerful achievement, and I don’t know how attain it. I’m so sorry if this came off to you as a whiny post, but I feel truly lost as to what I’m supposed to do. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Sorry again if this is in the wrong forum.

[rdeng2614]

Getting good grades will get you into a lot of schools.
Most schools don’t even care about extracurricular activities.

If, however, you’re aiming for selective schools, then just do what you like. You have so much time (2 full years) to find something that you like, whether its biology or robotics or whatever.

It doesn’t matter if your knowledge is pitiful. If you’re interested, just keep learning and you’ll get there.

You’re stressing out way too early.

Besides, college admissions is only one part of life. What school you get into will not define your life, so if I were you, I would just make the most of right now, stop worrying, and do whatever I like for the pleasure of doing it.

[mikemac]

I want to become competitive, but I’m not sure where to start.

Start by developing good study habits. Good grades (and test scores) follow from really learning the material in class. Developing good habits now will pay big dividends in college; a lot of HS kids are getting by on native smarts and do great with HS-level material and then fall flat in college. A great book to read is “Make it Stick” by some of the leading researchers; it explains what is known about learning and practical tips for applying it.

Get to know some teachers. Not by brown-nosing, but in 2 years you are going to want 2-3 recs from teachers that can say they know you and write a positive rec.

Pick a small number of ECs to concentrate on. If all the stuff you listed interests you, fine, keep doing them. But keep in mind the most selective colleges want to see achievement and recognition, not a smorgasbord of “member of this, took part in that.” As Stanford says

Students often assume our primary concern is the number of activities in which one participates. In fact, an exceptional depth of experience in one or two activities may demonstrate your passion more than minimal participation in five or six clubs. We want to see the impact you have had on that club, in your school, or in the larger community, and we want to learn of the impact that experience has had on you.