<p>Due to my lack of financial resources and my parents being Mexican immigrants, I seem to have limited opportunities compared to other high schoolers. While other kids go on ritzy trips to NYC for a 2-week art program in the summer, I'm stuck at home working. I get invited to 'exclusive' medical conferences for high-achieving students interested in medicine, but I have had to decline all these trips because I have no money. My father is working odd jobs and my mother is unemployed. I have a real passion for creative writing and track/cross-country, but I have no idea how to showcase those two interests. Without meaning to brag, I've been praised by everyone who has read my writing since I was in elementary school and I myself will admit that my writing is incredible. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to bring this talent forward, I haven't been published or rewarded for my work in any way that seems interesting to selective schools. I'm not the best at track, but I love it so much and it has helped me cope with my depression. I feel like such an average student. I scored a 184 on my PSAT which is really low, but I'm usually an incredible test taker, so I'm confident that I will be able to bring it up if I study and practice. By the time I graduate, I will have taken 15 AP classes, which I choose to take because I like the faster pace of the courses and because I have an aptitude for some of the subjects. I get really good grades, and my teachers love me. My GPA out of 4.0 is 3.8, I am in NHS, a youth mentoring program, Youth in Government, Spanish Club, a YMCA Leaders Club, and an all-girls community service club. My involvement in some of these EC's is somewhat limited: YIG goes on a $400 dollar trip to Tallahassee and Leaders goes on an $800 trip to North Carolina. I can't afford either of those trips and even if I could, my parents wouldn't allow me to. So, the clubs sort of 'kick me out', or limit when I can be involved in them because I can't afford the trips. It makes me feel terrible, because I truly enjoy these clubs. I have nearly no community service hours because I have no rides anywhere and some places here have strict rules regarding who can take part in community service (must be 16, accompanied with parent, experience in blah blah..) Track practice takes up at least 20 hours of my week, including meets, and this also prevents me from attending EC meetings; my track coach wont allow us to miss a single practice if we want to compete. I have had depression for a while and the stress of SAT's, getting into college, getting service hours, and not being able to take part in activities that I enjoy worsen it and make me just want to give up. Other students seem to have so many opportunities that they can afford, and I don't have much to work with. I feel exhausted everyday, with no motivation to do anything since none of it will help me get into my dream schools. I have no friends, and I feel like there is no point in anything anymore.I sound very whiny, but I feel so helpless. My dream school is Boston U or Harvard, both of which seem impossible for such an average student as I am turning out to be. Any advice?</p>
<p>Bro, the current #1 in my class as far GPA goes at my school got a 180 on the PSAT. I got a 178. I mean, yeah, it’s disappointing, but you can still grow from it (which you realize).</p>
<p>Are you a sophomore? (I am.) If you are, you have the entire to summer to and beginning of next school year to beef up your test taking skills and prepare to take the PSAT a second time to try to qualify for National Merit Scholarship. That is one thing that is really impressive.</p>
<p>Also, extra curricular activities can help you stand out. I know what you mean about not being able to take summer opportunities, but it would be really cool if you could join an after school creative writing club. If there isn’t one already, you could always take the extra step and try to found a club. </p>
<p>And considering that you’re into writing, you could probably look around for writing competitions that you could potentially enter in. </p>
<p>Don’t give up. Colleges love students from diverse families such as yours, and they will definitely consider your job and cross country/track as an EC. It must be very frustrating to be limited so much by finances, but I really can’t imagine a club excluding you because you can’t pay for trips!!! That would definitely not be tolerated at our high school, and to me is indefensible!</p>
<p>The fact that you are not a top performer in track is not an issue as long as you show a passion for your sport. If you are looking for somewhere to volunteer time, what about doing it helping out with a sport at your school, or at the school library or office. If you love running, talk to your coach and ask if there is any way you can help out with the sport in your off-season. Also, talk to your English teacher about opportunities for creative writing, or even starting a Creative Writing Club. You could use any of these things for an EC and apparently according to a current discussion here on CC, colleges look for students who give back to their schools. Also, your 184 PSAT score is not low- it is not a bad place to start and you have plenty of time to study. When it comes time to apply for college, the fact that you are (I am assuming) the first generation in your family to attend college, you speak Spanish(an assumption again) and that you have a great GPA will really work in your favor. Stay involved just like you are and keep your grades up and do not rule out any schools at this point. If your school counselor is decent, try to sit down and ask what you can be doing to improve your chances. Make sure they understand that you are working as well as doing a sport as those do count! Also, from my kids’ experiences with track/xc, your are together with all of those kids a LOT during the season. Use that time to make some friends there, even if you don’t have time outside of school to hang around. Good luck!</p>
<p>Hardly anyone does fancy ECs, and expensive programs are often useless for college admissions because they indicate wealth a lot more than they indicate merit (well, I guess being rich would give you an advantage at some places). Colleges just want you to do the best you can with whatever opportunities you had.</p>