Hi!
I am currently an 8th grader in a blue ribbon public school system. I know it’s early but college is really important to me and I am hoping to get into an ivy. I am a legacy at Dartmouth(mom and uncle graduated undergrad top in their class) and my father graduated undergrad and medical school from John Hopkins.
I want to know if not taking all honors in 9th grade could hurt my chances of getting into Dartmouth, Columbia and possibly Yale. I am a strait A student but I was told that all Honors is practically impossible at my high school. I am also currently in a CTY(Center for Talented Youth) John Hopkins program and I don’t want to be overwhelmed.
As for extra curricular activities I hope to do track and cross country and I have been on a competitive dance team for 6 years. I have also received many scholarships for dance and math but my guidance councilors say that because I am in middle school colleges won’t take them seriously.
What should I do about high school honors?
Thanks!
Sounds like you are doing very well. Your choice in 9th grade will not interfere with getting into the schools you want. Don’t limit your selection to the schools you mention but don’t make the next 4 years all about college. Enjoy your high school experience. Delve into areas that interest you. Go full steam into the things you find meaningful. Then, you will get into a school that makes sense for you.
Please don’t come on this site for at least another 3 years. You’re ruining your life by coming on here this early.
I agree with @jarrett211. You’re way too young to be worrying about colleges: this is the issue with many high schoolers, and it seems middle schoolers too. You are so worried about doing things “right” and getting into the college of your dreams that you forget to take high school for what it is: you don’t get to explore your passions or develop your social skills or actually try learning rather than focusing solely on your grades. Too many high schoolers participate in the rat race of academia, and it’s definitely a saddening event.
Explore your passions and take the classes that you want to take, whether it’s because you’re interested in the material or because you want to challenge yourself.
(Sorry for sounding so paternal or patronizing: I just don’t think middle schoolers should dedicate their lives to college admissions at such an early age)