How Should My Sister Prepare?

College Search & Selection
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<p>My younger sister is entering 8th grade this year (I know, very, very young to be thinking about college. But I'm thinking about it, not her!) and I would love to help her be better prepared than I was for the college application process.</p>

<p>Even with me in college, my family knows very little about how to prepare ones self in high school to look good for college apps. In fact, we had no idea I had to take the SAT/ACT until fall of my senior year, let alone take APs, college tours, etc. I've definitely learned a lot but I definitely do not want to settle for what I've learned and what she will have to find out after it's too late for her college process.</p>

<p>First, a little bit about her. Like I said, she's entering 8th grade, which she'll be spending abroad with my family (still attending a regular school, just not in the US). She'll easily be fluent in the language when she gets back, as she already has a strong base. I believe there is an SAT II subject test in that language. From what I can tell so far, she's interested in more in math and science but also enjoys writing (she been told me she plans to write a book soon and regardless of how good it is, at least it shows interest and motivation). She has no interest in sports but if you guys think it's a good idea, I can try to convince her to take up track or something just for high school (she's a decent runner). She's also playing basketball in middle school right now but her hand-eye is, to be nice, sub par. But if she loves it, then I'm not complaining. She's been playing piano for a few years and has an amazing ear for music. She can hear a song once and be able to roughly play parts of it on the piano in less than 10 minutes, all by ear. </p>

<p>So here's where I need help. What should I encourage her to pursue during high school? She's an amazingly bright kid (definitely the smartest of the siblings, myself included) and would do well in challenging courses. Should she try to rack up APs even if her unweighted GPA would be a little bit lower than if took regular classes? And is it worth it to look at college courses at our local community college (once she hits Junior year or something)? And about sports, tell her to play some sport in college just for the looks? She's really a massive nerd (but in the best way possible) and will probably join the math/science clubs but that doesn't really make for a well rounded individual. Or would joining the school band be enough of an EC? Oh, and when should she start studying for the SAT/ACT? And is it worth it to take the PSAT (I didn't even know what that was until last year). And when should she take SAT IIs (if at all)?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for any help, I really don't want her to make the same mistakes I've made and have to play catch up senior year of high school.</p>

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<p>That’s awesome that you are helping your sister out! I’m a rising senior, so not as far down the line as you, but I’ll try to help given information I’ve picked up on through reading and experiences in high school.</p>

<p>Classes: I don’t think she should overload on APs during freshman year- there are still three years after, and once she has a feel for one or two, then future decisions on them should be easier. I wasn’t very driven during my freshman and sophomore years, but my school was so small that one was either in the honors class(es) or not. Without any choices in classes, I just did my best (although was pretty lazy and procrastinated a lot). With that being said, I haven’t received a B in high school- but the closest I came was during freshman year as I got a feel
for things and matured. I don’t know if a ‘B’ would debilitate her, but I assumed that it would have for me, and it would make easier and easier to slack off after. In short: momentum is a good thing.</p>

<p>I think she should take what she can push herself to improve in, but not so much so that she gets a B and gets discouraged. It may not matter now,
but she could end up looking back and regretting that B, as I’ve seen others on these forums regret past grades.</p>

<p>ECs: My one wish was that I had more, so I would encourage her to take a fair amount/ an amount that won’t compromise grades. I’ve read on here that maintaining a theme so as to show a passion is far better than random clubs and other ecs.
I don’t know if having more ECs that are random is better than having less, but having that theme that can be transposed and reveal depth to and on a college application would likely be the best route.</p>

<p>SAT/ACT: I would encourage the PSAT strongly- even take it sophomore then junior year if possible. She’ll get a feel for the testing style a little, while seeing what she is good at and can improve on. It’s also encouraging that most people ( I could be wrong, but all examples I’ve seen seem to confirm it) score higher on the SAT than the PSAT, plus there is a chance for the NM scholarship (I’m not as educated in PSAT specific things, so idk if being out of the country affects eligibility for those scholarships- you or she would have to check). Maybe late sophomore to junior year for SAT studying? I had no direction and didn’t take the zero period prep class at my school (too early for me to wake up, XD), but I read some parts of the Blue Book and at least knew the types of questions going in. Didn’t do well on it(1960), but I know it will improve with some actual studying- would be wise for her to do it before her first test, although I know people that have scored over 2200 without prep, so it depends on what score she wants I guess, if she is naturally able to do that.</p>

<p>Additional: Doing activities she isn’t inclined to that have little ability to develop the mind, her character, or her passions won’t be worth it for an app to college. Ultimately, if she does what she loves through her ecs and gets the right grades with a good strength of schedule and achieves top test scores, it will be enough for most colleges- she could throttle it for schools with acceptance rates under 10 percent or so, but doing so may not even guarantee them.</p>

<p>Afterward:
I’m a little tired (have class at 11:30) and I wrote this on my iPod, so I apologize for any confusing sentences or lack of thought and length put into any section. Again, my advice isn’t necessarily the best because I only know what it’s like living with my
mind and body, but I gave it my best without rambling on too much with anecdotes. I also have more of a drive in life because I’ve found a purpose, or rather seized it after being graciously given it (through faith in God), so it’s easier to talk about pushing myself and trying to do things the best, and having a purpose is always the best way to
push forward. I might not be able to relate to others who may have a different purpose in life, but for
your sake left out or rather didn’t hypothesize suggestions under my purpose, but rather I made suggestions with the purpose being college.</p>

<p>Sorry- get a little weird at 3:00 AM : P.</p>

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<p>Am assuming you are US citizens living overseas, yes? For those, the PSAT is appropriate. Will she be attending an international school?</p>

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<p>First, to clear up, she’s only spending 8th grade internationally, she’ll be back for all of high school. </p>

<p>AllianceDude, thank you so much for your informative post! You really gave me a lot to think about and I will implement what you suggested. </p>

<p>If she goes crazy with the music and math/science ECs, will that be enough extra curriculars for top colleges? The high school she’ll attend has a ton of cool math clubs she could join. Does being president or another leadership role in one of those satisfy the leadership “requirement” so many colleges are looking for?</p>