How to start preparing for college when I'm a freshman?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>Hi! So this is the first thread that I have ever posted on the College Confidential Forum so I don't know if I'm doing this right, but hopefully I am. So before I start the forum, I just want to stick in a little bit of my background information about myself: I am Asian American and I am a freshman attending one of the best public high schools in the nation (I'm not really trying to brag, it's just that my school has been ranked in the top 50 public high schools of America and I thought that this information might be important).</p>

<p>I am currently a freshman in high school and while some people may think that this is too early to think about college, getting into a good college is rather high up in my list of priorities and I really want to do everything "right" in order to ensure that my future college admissions would go smoothly. Obviously I know that in order to get into a good college, I need to have good grades and extra curriculars as well but is there anything else that I can do now to prepare for either the "college entrance" exams (PSAT, SAT I, SAT II, AP) or other aspects of college admissions?</p>

<p>As far as my academics go, so far my final grades are looking to be
- A+ in four classes (advanced algebra 2, Chinese, Latin, and world history)
- A in one class (biology),
- A- in one class (English).</p>

<p>As for extra curriculars, I am currently the
- President of LiNK (Liberty in North Korea) - we raise money to help rescue North Koreans from North Korea and to help establish them in either South Korea or America.
- Events Coordinator of ChinaCare - we raise money to pay for the surgeries of Chinese orphans [it has been established that I will become the president of this club by the time I become a senior]</p>

<p>Of course since I am only a freshman, I am not looking for people to tell me what my "chances" are to get into colleges nor do I want to tell you guys my "aspiring dreams" of making it into Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or any of the other high reach Ivy League Schools. While I do want to try my hardest in high school to give myself a shot at the previously mentioned Ivy Leagues, I want to approach this college process as level minded as I can. </p>

<p>The purpose of this thread is to get advice from you guys about how I can start working on my high school life so that I get "ahead" as far as the whole college process goes:</p>

<p>1) Should I start studying for the PSAT/SAT? If so, which one should I study for? I realize that I have to take the PSAT next year so I want to start studying but since the PSAT is more or less the preparation exam for the SAT, should I just ditch the PSAT studying and skip to studying for the SAT?</p>

<p>2) Should I start studying for the SAT Subjects? If so, how many is a good number of SAT Subjects to have? </p>

<p>3) Should I self study for AP tests? If so, what subjects and how many? My school only offers one AP class in sophomore year and although I plan on taking it, I don't think it's enough and I want to do maybe two more. I am already planning on self studying for the Psychology AP Exam since I like psychology and I heard that it was easy.</p>

<p>4) How many more school clubs should I do? As I have mentioned previously, I am looking to be the president of two clubs by the time I become a senior but I know that two clubs probably won't be enough for me to be "outstanding". On the other hand, I also don't want to be part of like 30 clubs but none that I actually care about.</p>

<p>5) Should I join a sport? I have been thinking about joining the track team for a really long time now but I've always managed to talk myself out of it. Is doing a sport really going to help me get accepted into good colleges?</p>

<p>6) Lol, I'm honestly really sorry about this really long post and I don't have anymore specific questions but if there's anything that I left out, please mention it? </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>1) If you want, but it’s not really necessary to start this early. Studying for the SAT will help you prepare for the PSAT too. Scoring high on the PSAT (usually around 220, depending on your state) in your junior year is likely to make you a National Merit Finalist, and lots of colleges have scholarships for that, so I’d recommend it because I think it’s one of the easiest “impressive” awards to get.</p>

<p>2) It’s best to SAT Subject Tests after you’ve taken classes in the subjects you want to take tests for. There’s no reason to start preparing for them now. I took mine in June at the end of my junior year. I’d recommend taking three just because you can take up to three at any given time. You can choose which ones you want to take on the test day because all of the tests are in the same book. </p>

<p>3) There’s no real reason to self-study AP exams for college admissions purposes. Taking the AP class and the exam is better than just taking the exam, and colleges don’t expect you to take classes your school doesn’t offer.</p>

<p>4) Quality > quantity, and doing clubs by itself is probably not enough to be outstanding no matter how many you’re in. </p>

<p>5) Probably not any more than other ECs, unless you’re a recruited athlete.</p>

<p>6) Talk to your parents about how you’re going to pay for college, and run net price calculators on college websites. A lot of top private schools are rich and give really good need-based aid, but that’s not universally true and there’s no point in worrying about getting into a school if you won’t be able to afford it. </p>

<p>What do you plan to do in the summers?</p>

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<ol>
<li><p>The PSAT and SAT are the same exact thing - but they exist for two different purposes (PSAT is NMSQT where as SAT is for admissions) but their format is the same. They’re revamping/revising the SAT, so studying for this year’s format might not serve you when you’re a Junior and they’ve changed quite a bit of it. </p></li>
<li><p>SAT subject tests are usually taken in conjunction with an equivalent course, which means that pure studying isn’t always necessary - moderate review should suffice a month or so before the exam.</p></li>
<li><p>I don’t think self studying is all that necessary, just take exams that correlate with your school offerings. Many universities, especially top tier ones, are phasing out the policy of granting credit for AP courses. </p></li>
<li><p>You don’t even need clubs to be outstanding. You just need to do something, anything really, that you are passionate about and enjoy - and that conveys your qualities as a person. There are far more opportunities to that outside of traditional school clubs.</p></li>
<li><p>Join a sport if you want. But you don’t have to.</p></li>
<li><p>Have fun. Don’t do drugs. </p></li>
</ol>

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<p>For the sports I don’t think it’s really important, unless you are like varsity team captain or something. Then again, I’m only a freshman too so I might not have the best advice. I’m curious as to how others will reply to this thread. Just wondering, what area of the US do you live in?
Oh and also look into college summer programs. I applied to one this year for my first time and I probably won’t get in but I’ll still make sure to do something productive over summer vacation. Most of the deadlines for applying have passed but you can still think about it for next year.</p>

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<p>

The current PSAT is shorter and doesn’t have an essay. I guess the OP will be taking the new SAT, though, and I don’t know about that.</p>

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<p>@dsi411 Hi! I live in the Northeast. Massachusetts to be exact.</p>

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<p>@lucyxu Oh cool I hear Massachusetts has good schools. Obviously you go to a good school, you said it it top 50 in the country.</p>

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<p>@preamble1776 Yes I recently became aware with the fact that the SAT will be changing its format to an “easier” one but for some reason I still feel the need to prepare even so. (Lol, it’s probably just my nerdy personality.) I’m asking you this because I just want someone’s opinion, how do you feel about the new SAT format? </p>

<p>I’ve been feeling rather “meh…” about it because while it’s going to be easier, it does pose a problem for me studying for it and also because I feel like making it too easy will also make it so that I can’t really stand out from the rest of the people who take it. </p>

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<p>@dsi411 Massachusetts does have its variety of good schools so I can’t be happier with where I live. And I do happen to go to a “really good” school but honestly speaking, I think it’s only considered good because it’s ranked pretty high. I took a test to enter the school when I was in sixth grade and in the three years that I have spent at my school, I have come to find that there really isn’t anything particularly special about it. I mean, there are definitely your fair share of really, really bright kids but the majority are just so unmotivated and average. </p>

<p>How about you? What part/ What region do you live in? Lol, any aspiring dreams about college?</p>

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<p>@halcyonheather Thanks for your answer! As far as the AP Exam goes, the only real reasons that I want to take it is so that I can “stand out” compared to everyone else but I am also a huge nerd and I like studying and learning, which is also why I want to study for more than just the one AP that my school offers in sophomore year.</p>

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<p>

Northwest?</p>

<p>

Pretty much the whole purpose of the SAT is to differentiate between people, so I assume they’ll still be able to do that. I mean, even now people with high SAT scores don’t actually stand out at the most selective colleges.</p>

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<p>@halcyonheather LOL well this is rather embarrassing. I meant Northeast. I don’t even know where the west came from… :stuck_out_tongue: </p>

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<p>I’m from Southern California and I also hope to go to a prestigious or semi-prestigious university. More along the lines of UCLA than Stanford since public schools are more affordable. </p>

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<p>

Only when you’re in-state.</p>

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<p>@dsi411 :o Wow, you live in California? I’m actually rather jealous of you. My previous club vice-president made it to Berkeley and I hear that he’s been enjoying it a lot. I began thinking about going to California too for college but my mom being the traditional Asian parent forbids me to move anywhere outside the Northeast. If she had a say in my decision, she would probably keep me at home with her until I’m 30. lol </p>

<p>Also, money is also a rather pressing issue for a lot of people and me especially because I think my parents don’t even make over 40,000 a year together (which I think is considered poor?). But for me if I make it into an Ivy, I think I can go for almost free since those school offer crazy funds to “poor” kids.</p>

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<p>@dsi411 Wow that’s cool. It’s weird because my parents together actually make a good amount of money, I think about 130,000 dollars, but I’ll get to go free to any UCs or Cal States because my father was in the military. One good thing about being in California. I like it here. My parents also got mad when my older sister went all the way to San Francisco for college haha. My parents are not Asian but they’re still immigrants (from Nigeria) so I think they share some similarities. :wink: </p>

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<p>MA has the best schools, I am going to the #2 in MA, Harvard Feeder</p>

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<p>@aHashtag Lol, that’s the same school that I go to… Do you happen to be in the ninth grade? Because then that’d be really awkward because then you’d probably know me.</p>

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<p>1) Yeah, PSAT studying overlaps a lot with the SAT. For your freshman year, I would probably just start looking at SAT vocabulary if you really want to get ahead (Direct Hits 1 & 2, SparkNote’s 250 Most Difficult, etc.)</p>

<p>2) Many of the top schools recommend taking two SAT Subject tests. I wouldn’t start studying for them until later on… Typically they’re taken directly after completing the AP/IB course for that subject. Of course, taking one early could potentially lighten your workload in terms of exams later on.</p>

<p>3) Sure if you want. I do IB, so I’m not really that familiar with how many AP exams the smart students tend to take lol…</p>

<p>4) It doesn’t really matter how many clubs you do; the amount of work you put into the clubs is what matters. As you sort of mentioned, doing a bunch of clubs and not doing very much in them doesn’t look that great because quality > quantity. Anyways, I’d probably do a couple more next year and try to get some kind of state/national recognition before senior year.</p>

<p>5) Doing a sport is essentially just like another club. But admissions officers know it often takes a lot of dedication, and so in my opinion it probably weighs marginally more. Personally, I do X-C and track and it’s a lot of fun. It can definitely give you something to talk about in your essays, which is often one of the deciding factors in admissions.</p>

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<p>1) Studying for either one is essentially the same thing. It’s never too early to start studying for the PSAT/SAT. I actually wish I had done so when I was a freshmen. Just remember not to lose yourself studying. You’re young and you have 1 and 1/2 years before you take the actual PSAT/SAT. </p>

<p>2) I don’t think that’s necessary. You haven’t gotten a feel of what courses you really excel in so you shouldn’t know what SAT Subject to even take yet, let alone study for it. </p>

<p>3) I recommend you only self-study the AP courses that are self-study friendly, ie. AP Psychology, Human Geo, etc. But I’m sure you’re very bright and that you’ll do great on the AP Psych exam. What’s the sophomore AP course at your school? </p>

<p>4) As one member already mentioned, think QUALITY, not quantity. Don’t aim for being a part of 8 every single club that could possibly exist. Shoot for a few, with at least 1 or 2 leadership positions and devote a lot of time and effort into this. You have the right idea though. But the thing is you don’t want to overload yourself. It’s perfectly alright to have (“only”) 2 leadership positions so long as you are actually devoted and making a difference! </p>

<p>5) It’s not mandatory. It might make you stand out a bit though. Don’t do it unless you truly want to! If you join track, you should keep in mind that this will mean you’ll be coming home late with less time for homework/studying/etc. But if you’re capable of balancing all of that, I say go for it. You’d be a well-rounded student; and that’s exactly what colleges want. </p>

<p>6) I think the only thing you left out are scholarships. It’s never too early to start looking for them. I suggest you research some full-ride scholarships like Gates Millennium (my older sister got that and I’m HOPING I manage to get this myself).<br>
Again, don’t overload yourself! Have fun in school, get to appreciate sleep because I’m sure later in life, you’ll really wish you had 10+ hours of sleep everyday. You’re really impressive! I’m extremely envious that you get to go to such a great school. As for myself, I go to a dirt crap school. Please keep in mind that I’m no expert about high school/college because I’m only a sophomore haha! Good luck. (: </p>