<p>I'm a sophomore in high school and the top two colleges I want to go to is Princeton and Penn. Last year I wasn't really concerned about my grades and ended the year with a 3.5 gpa. I didn't join any clubs and I quit softball. But this year I want to focus more on school and make it my first priority. I only have two honor classes, English and Math and I don't really want to be in anymore honor classes. I'm also planning to volunteer at a near by hospital. Should I find some more extracurricular activities or is volunteering every week day enough? Also is there anything else for me to do to improve my chances. Should I maybe take an SAT test? My school also allows students to go to an arts and technology center that offers career programs for half the day, an I'm interested in the medical program since I want to be a doctor, but I can't join the program until I'm a senior. Will that program help get into those schools also?</p>
<p>Princeton and Penn look for outstanding extra and cocurriculars…</p>
<p>Look at some of the other threads (that are typed up in an organized manner) for top schools here, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.</p>
<p>If your school offers extra honors, AP, or IB classes in addition to english and math and you don’t choose to take them, your chances at schools like Princeton and Penn will be virtually nonexistent. Find and participate in a few extracurricular activities that you really enjoy. Not only will they enhance your application, but you’ll be having lots of fun in the process. If I were you I wouldn’t worry about the SAT or ACT until after the end of sophomore year.</p>
<p>You definitely should take not only mostly or all honors classes, but AP/IB classes if possible, as well. Otherwise you’re not going to look very academically adventurous to top schools.</p>