HS Junior Looking For Help!

Applying to College
1

<p>I feel shallow making my first post here asking for advice, but, ya know, I'll just think of myself as refreshingly frank :)</p>

<p>Anyways, I'm 2 months into 11th grade with pretty much nothing--zero clubs (they give me a vain and superficial vibe) and two APs: 3 in Spanish Language and 5 in US History. Mostly A's the last 2 years (B in AP Spanish both semesters of 10th grade, B 1st semester English 10th grade, and a C in Track & Field 1st semester 10th grade).</p>

<p>I'm turning up the effort 500% this year.</p>

<p>My plan for this year is to complete a total of 8 APs with a "5" (retaking Spanish Language), pick up a whatever part-time job, join All-State (California) and All-Southern (SoCal) high honor-bands (playing French Horn), join a drum corp. (basically an intense brass-only marching band that takes up literally all-day, everyday for most of the summer), do volunteer work in South America over Spring Break, and, hopefully, qualify for those AIME math tests and whatnot (just joined the Math Team this year, but I'm pretty good at math).</p>

<p>I want to maximize this last full year before college applications, and I'm looking for advice on how to improve myself. I want to portray a focus in music, Spanish (I'm 100% Taiwanese/Chinese if that makes a difference), and math while being well rounded (good standardized test scores).
My schedule for the next 400 days is pretty much jammed pack (if I find free time, I'll probably spend it studying SOMETHING or practicing my instrument), so it is really a question of allocation--do you guys think I should drop something for something else?</p>

<p>Thanks everyone</p>

<p>EDIT: Also, I'm looking high in terms of colleges (Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, etc.), and realizing there is no sure-fire way to get into Harvard, there's always room for improvement :)</p>

2

<p>If you're going to take 8 AP classes, that's absolutely crazy (unless you know you can handle it with some free time as well). Getting into harvard is not worth subjecting yourself to schoolwork 24/7, and a lot of times academics just aren't going to cut it for those schools anyway. I'd say to scale back on the AP's, 4-6 this year is plenty. Focus on quality, not quantity. Dude, retaking Spanish lang. because you got a 3 is a waste of time (even though you won't get credit at some schools, it still is considered passing). If you really want to show passion in spanish, take AP Spanish Lit. and get a 5. Don't worry about redo-ing something you already completed just for college app. brownie points. </p>

<p>Also, are you sure that you're not into clubs? Cuz a spanish club might be a pretty cool thing to start up (if your school doesn't have one already). Your music thing is cool, keep on doing that. I'd just suggest to keep on doing what you're doing if you're happy and not too stressed out. ALso, don't just add on some random crap that you don't care about at the last minute, cuz it'll just seem to colleges like you're packing your resume.</p>

3

<p>Your plan sounds fine to me, but don't do something just for the sake of college apps; make sure you really do enjoy it. falalalena's idea of a spanish club is a good idea.</p>

<p>But don't forget to take a break now and then and have fun with friends.</p>

4

<p>I'm only taking 5 AP classes; Economics has 2 tests and I completed 2 APs the year before. Also, I plan on taking AP Spanish Lit. next year.
Our school already has a Spanish club, and I doubt I'll end up president if I haven't even been in it since freshman year.</p>

<p>I say the following as politely as possible...
I get the impression you two are trying to tell me how to live my life. Frankly, I'm asking for specific advice on how to get into elite colleges, not reminders to "have fun with friends." I highly doubt I'm a planning genius and that possibly starting a Spanish club is the only thing I overlooked.
I know my plan is insufficient in that even if everything goes100% as planned, I still wouldn't feel confident when I send in my application. Please advise.</p>

5

<p>well, being snarky is not going to win points</p>

<p>as for specific advice on getting into elite colleges, NO one should feel one 100percent confident when looking at the ivies</p>

<p>as for advice, don't do things just to get into an "elite" college, because frankly, when you have kids who have been doing lots since freshman year with the same everything else, they will take the kids who has been consistent</p>

<p>just the way the game is played</p>

6

<p>
[quote]
I get the impression you two are trying to tell me how to live my life.

[/quote]

If you don't want advice, feedback or suggestions, don't ask for it.</p>

<p>Obviously, you've already decided on what you're going to do and will not be swayed; just go with it then.</p>

7

<p>LoL...agree with Goldshadow, it sounds like you're asking for help then rejecting it. What's the point?</p>

8

<p>Sorry if I insulted anyone.</p>

<p>I do want advice, and I really didn't mean to come off as "snarky." I just want that advice to directly pertain to college admissions and not philosophy about life in general.</p>

<p>Some examples of what I am looking for:
"you should get an internship instead of a part-time job"
"honor bands are overrated--forget about those"
"clubs are still worth joining even if its your Junior year--go join Mock Trial"
Obviously, I don't know if any of those above statements are true, but "stuff" like that would help a lot.</p>

<p>EDIT: So that piece about a Spanish Club WAS relevent; I decided against it, but more advice like that would be great.</p>

9

<p>Honor bands are not overrated at all. Do it if you're good enough to get into them. Where do you go to school btw? (I'm assuming you go to a school with a good music/marching band program in SoCal?) If you do, have you ever seen/played against Mount Carmel? That's my old band =] </p>

<p>And trying to make All-State/All-Region in Cali for band is really hard dude...lots of crazy musical kids in Cali, especially SoCal.</p>