<p>Hi, Im a Junior and I have a GPA of 3.4, I'm currently taking AP US History, AP English 3, Math Models (I didn't want to take PreCal my senior year-I regret it now), French 2, Laws of Criminal Justice, Housing, Chemistry ( I took Integrated Physics and Chemistry last year), and Yearbook II - My class rank is Top 20% as of last year, I've moved to a new school so I'm not sure what I am here. I am in Key Club, French Club, Career Club, I volunteer at Cancer Care Services, and random events like the Water Baloon Palooza (was a "conserving water" event ) I have a few questions -</p>
<p>(a) What would you suggest to improve my GPA (besides getting better grades)?</p>
<p>(b) What should I do outside of school to look great for college?</p>
<p>(c) If I was to apply for an Ivy League school (I am not, but I still want to work as hard as if I was going to ), what would I need to do to get a chance at qualifying?</p>
<p>(d) Any extra advice? Like internships to try, where to get references, and what not?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot! I really need some guidance from people who know. I already look back and feel like pulling my hair our for the mistakes I made. I don't want to keep feeling like that.</p>
<p>The guidance office at our sons school says</p>
<p>Do what you love- meaning get involved in sports, extra curriculars and volunteer things your enjoy. Follow your passion.</p>
<p>Take classes that are the most challenging courses you can–and do your best work
prepare for your PSAT and SAT</p>
<p>Take your SAT the first time Jr yr spring–because you will be better prepared and take the APs and SAT2s the spring of Jr yr that fit your curriculum.</p>
<p>Find your voice in your essays…</p>
<p>Cast a wide net when looking at schools- there are many roads to get you where you want to go</p>
<p>Research the schools, look at the majors, the depts and so on…it is possible that a school on your list will not actualy be the best fit for the course of study you want to pursue.</p>
<p>Read The Admissions Mystique. Have your parents read it too ;o)</p>
<p>That’s like asking…How can I improve my salary without making more money?.</p>
<p>You need to study, study, study to bring up your grades. With a 3.4 junior year, you can’t bring it up high enough for ivies. Many schools don’t use senior year grades to determine admission.</p>
<p>However, if you bring your grades up this year, many colleges will like seeing that “upward trend” of rising grades. :)</p>
<p>You will still have plenty of good school choices…so don’t think you have no hope… :)</p>
<p>What is your financial situation…that, more than grades, can limit your choices at this point.</p>
<p>Well, my mother is a P.O. making somewhere around 30,000 a year - but recently she was just promoted to Supervisor with a salary increase. So, I’m not sure anymore.</p>
<p>Well, even if she got a “big raise” - she probably is still earning low enough for you to qualify for some aid - even a $10k raise would mean that she wasn’t earning a lot.</p>
<p>How many are in your family?</p>
<p>Does anyone know what the cutoffs are for grants? Is it by family size?</p>