I have 1 year to improve my transcript...Need advice?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey guys.</p>

<p>I'm currently a Junior from NJ and I've recently becoming increasingly concerned with where and what I am going to do in college. There's not even an year left before I start applying to colleges so right now, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. The reason why I'm beginning to worry is that I've been pretty lazy during my first couple years of high school and my transcript feels very..weak. I really want to get into a good college but I'm going to need your advice on how to drastically improve myself over the next year. I'm a pretty smart kid, but I go to a mediocre public high school and I haven't really gained much opportunities to prove it to colleges (kind of my fault for my laziness). Here is my information:</p>

<p>PSAT:168 sophomore year, 209 Junior year (with little studying before the test)
SAT: Taking it this January and expecting high 2100s/low 2200s.
GPA: 3.95? (UW), around 4.26 (W)
Class rank: 7/260 (will most likely improve after Junior year)
Taking 3 AP tests this May (self-studying for 2 of them)
Taking SAT biology, math II, and U.S. history from June through Fall of senior year. Expecting decent scores (700+) since I have been studying for them for a while</p>

<p>Freshman year (gpa: 4.165) :
Geometry H: A+
Geo-Physical CP: A
English CP: A
World History CP: A
Spanish 2: A+</p>

<p>Sophomore year (gpa: 4.35?)
Algebra 2 H: A
Biology H: A+
English H: A-
U.S. History pre-ap: A
Spanish 3: A</p>

<p>Junior Year (as of right now):
Pre-Calc H: A+
Chemistry H: A+
AP History: A+
Humanities I H: A
Spanish 4 H: A
Economics pre-ap (online class): A+</p>

<p>As you can see, there is a clear upward trend. I also excluded electives that seemed irrelevant.</p>

<p>E.C. activites (no leadership positions):
School newspaper (10-11)
Math team (11)
School's community service club (11)
Spanish Honors society (10-11)
MSG Varsity/media club (11)
Cross country (9, varsity: 10-11)
Winter Track (9, (skipped a year) varsity:11)
Spring Track (9-10, varsity:11)
Played guitar for several years</p>

<p>Community Service:
Volunteered at some hospital for old people: 30 hours (summer of 9th)
Volunteered for a NGO in Africa: 100 hours (summer of 10th)</p>

<p>No major awards or state/national competitions I participated in</p>

<p>So, its pretty obvious that my main weakness is a lack of ecs.
1. How should I improve my ecs? It seems like I only joined the clubs to build up my transcript which will be obvious to the colleges I applied to.
2. I plan on applying for a summer program. One that is somewhat prestigious or requires some competition to get into. Which programs do you think I have a chance to get into that I should apply for?
3. In general, how should I improve my chances of getting into top schools (possibly ivies). I know it seems pretty unrealistic, but I really want to get into a decent school and I'm willing to work hard to achieve this goal.</p>

<p>If you took the time to read this I appreciate it.</p>

2

<p>Your worst grade is one A- and you’re calling your transcript weak…</p>

3

<p>GPA-wise I did well (probably because I went to an easy high school). I just think everything else needs work.</p>

4

<p>It’s not bad for sure, but yes, you can improve. Summer programs are definitely good, and you can always try finding an internship of some sort, or if all else fails, just volunteer more /get a job.</p>

5

<p>Thanks. Any idea which summer programs I have a chance of getting into?</p>

6

<p>There are a bunch. If you like math, go to EPGY or SuMac at Stanford, or maybe some program at UPenn ( I hear theirs are very fun/interesting). Good luck!</p>

7

<p>Any other advice for improvements?</p>

8

<p>Just a matter of semantics, but your transcript refers to strictly your HS courses and grades. Your ECs, etc. are all part of your application, but not your transcript. You might get a pretty hard time here on CC if you refer to your bad transcript ;).</p>

<p>Go to the Summer Programs forum to find out about competitive programs to apply to, check them now as the selective programs have applications, possibly interviews, etc.</p>

9

<p>“The reason why I’m beginning to worry is that I’ve been pretty lazy during my first couple years of high school and my transcript feels very…weak.”</p>

<p>Your transcript is all As, which is great! You only have one AP class, which could hurt, but you aced it. I really wouldn’t worry.</p>