I don't feel so hopeful.

<p>I'm a rising senior who really wants to enroll in the University of Southern California. For the past three years, I really didn't care too much for my grades but I still earned top notch grades without even trying or putting much effort into it; I slowly rised from being all general classes to enriched/general classes to honors/enriched to now Honors/AP classes (1 AP class). I mean sure that's great but, along with me not caring too much about school, came not much EC's.</p>

<p>I mean, the only thing I've did for the longest was self-studying Japanese (3 years) and the rest (getting a job, learning how to breakdance, trying to learn how to play the electric guitar, trying out for the volleyball team, and cooking.) I just got interested in around now. (People always change :P) </p>

<p>Won't the admins think I'm just doing it for college? Because it's strange, right? To be suddenly interested in these activities and actually putting effort into my schoolwork senior year? But most of the classes I took for Senior year (AP Bio, Honors Psych, etc.) are classes I'm really, REALLY interested in! And the activities/ECs I have right now, I really REALLY like them! I love doing them! I even love my job!! </p>

<p>And also when I took the PSAT 2008, my score was a 1510 in total and my goal is 2100 through self-studying and take the Oct. SAT but... how can I jump from a 1510 to 2100 in three months?! It's a 600 points jump!! I don't know if I can do it... I don't know if I can correct my mistakes I made and ugh...</p>

<p>I suddenly just feel hopeless after looking at my PSAT results... I thought I did better than a 1510 but now... I don't know... I'm sorry I just need some consolence... someone to help me out or something because at this point, I don't believe much in myself that I can get a 2100 on the SAT... that I even have a chance for USC.. :(</p>

<p>The PSAT isnt really a good indicator. I think i got a 480, 500 and a 500. I believe for the real SAT I ended up with a 620 in math, 640 in reading, and a 590 in writing.</p>

<p>PSAT is a meaningless test except for qualifying for National Merit. It doesn’t necessarily indicate how you’ll do on the actual SAT. I had like a 400 point jump or something from the PSAT to the SAT.</p>

<p>btw, with stellar grades and solid ECs that you’re really interested in, I don’t think you need to worry too much about the SAT. The importance of the test is blown way out of proportion on CC.</p>

<p>I’m curious however, as to why you’re a rising senior and have waited so long to take the SAT? Usually it’s rising sophomores and juniors who talk about the PSAT scores.</p>

<p>Thanks you two!!
Today I have a new attitude~ And I’m putting my best effort into studying for the SAT!! </p>

<p>And I see! Okay! I think I will take a practice SAT instead of relying on my old 2008 PSAT scores. And the reason why I waited so long to take the SAT? Well, remember me stating that I just didn’t care about school? That carried onto taking the SAT. I really felt lazy studying for it but I’ve turned over a new leaf!! </p>

<p>You guys really made me feel better and more confident that I’ll pass!! Thanks so much for reading my rant and responding to it!</p>

<p>I agree with the other posters and am glad you’ve taken their comments to heart. With your academic record, it sounds like you just tested poorly that day – maybe you didn’t care, weren’t feeling too hot that day, or weren’t prepared. Reason regardless, the PSAT is long in your past, and was probably your first experience with that standardized testing format. Just by continuing in school and having taken the test, you’ve learned enough since then to make a sizable difference in your future SAT score. Practice with old SAT tests over the summer, and you should be able to bring it up considerably. Also, in your preparation for the test, you might look at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html&lt;/a&gt; and [url=<a href=“http://sparknotes.com%5DSparkNotes%5B/url”>http://sparknotes.com]SparkNotes[/url</a>]</p>