I know it's a little early...but am I on the right track? (sophomore in hs)

<p>State: NJ
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: White (parents are immigrants if that counts)
First/primary language: Russian was my first, but my main language is now English.
Graduation Year: 2012 (from HS)</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>GPA - about 97 or 98%. My school doesn't do GPAs on the 4.0 scale. But that would translate to a 4.0, I believe. (also, there is no weighted GPA)
Class Rank: school does not release class ranks.
Class Size: 76</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>I have not taken the SAT yet (except for 7th grade...but that was for JHU CTY)
PSAT Math: 71
PSAT Critical Reading: 69
PSAT Writing: 68 (I'm hoping to improve)</p>

<p>I will take SAT2s. I have to think about which ones.</p>

<p>Courses:
will take most rigorous available, including:
IB Bio HL (2 years)
IB Chem HL (2 years)
IB English HL (2 years)
IB Math B SL (2 years)
IB Spanish SL (1 year)
IB History SL (1 year)
Theory of Knowledge
I'm hoping to get an IB diploma.
I am also going to take an Advanced Research class, where I will make a research project to compete in a science fair (or several science fairs).</p>

<p>You have to apply to get into my school. All 8th graders in the county are eligible, but a small number get accepted. Also, if you transfer out of my school you can't transfer back in.</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars:</p>

<p>Help local Hebrew school with their holiday events. I run carnival booths, make baskets for senior citizens, and watch children while their parents attend services. (by senior year I would have been doing this for 6 years)
Volunteer at a child development center. Work with children while their parents are at work. Do activities/games/teach them a bit.
Volunteer at a local biotech camp. Teach younger students various biotech lab skills. Set-up labs, clean-up afterwards.
I will likely get more volunteer opportunities as I get older and whatnot. Looking at volunteering at the library and also at a local pet shelter.</p>

<p>Attend JHU CTY summer program every summer (from 07 to 2010 or 2011...depending on money and if other responsibilities pop-up). I absolutely love it.</p>

<p>National Honor Society (likely. 11, 12)
Key Club (9,10, and will continue through 11, 12)
Junior State of America (9,10, will continue through 11, 12)
Yearbook (9,10, will continue through 11, 12) Started as basic editor. Became sophomore correspondent. Junior year I want to be Junior editor and hopefully Senior editor by senior year.
FFA (10, hopefully will continue through 11, 12) Have an officer position. Currently in the process of reviving the club.
Art Club (9)
Spanish Honor Society (10, continue through 11, 12)
Horseback riding (since 2001. showed early on, but dropped showing due to the money. now it's a hobby that I very much enjoy. I may volunteer at the stable later on.)
Guitar (only 1 year so far, but I invest a lot of time into practicing)</p>

<p>Whatnot:
1st place in state Agriscience fair. Moved on to National Agriscience fair in Indianapolis.
Have many research lab skills, especially biotechnology-related procedures. (bacterial transformation, creation of plant extracts, DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, PCR, bacterial plating, etc)</p>

<p>Anyway, I know this was really long...and I'm only 15. But I'm just wondering if I'm totally off-track. Looking at all of the posts on here, it makes getting into Cornell REALLY intimidating and I'm kinda worried. (Cornell is currently my top choice...I'd Early Decision it).</p>

<p>How can you be worried? Your stats are great. Study for your standardized tests and keep it up.</p>

<p>I started worrying about college sophomore year, that’s when I decided Cornell was my top choice. You’re definitely on the right track.</p>

<p>What’s an IB diploma?</p>

<p>IB is international baccalaureate. I think this is the organization’s website but I’m not sure: [The</a> International Baccalaureate offers high quality programmes of international education to a worldwide community of schools](<a href=“http://www.ibo.org/]The”>http://www.ibo.org/)
without delving into details, it’s basically comparable to taking AP classes in terms of rigor.</p>

<p>FreeFocus: Thanks! I’m just feeling a little intimidated by all of the posts on this board…you know?</p>

<p>THLax9: faustarp basically covered it. It’s like AP in the sense that it’s higher level courses. To get the diploma, you need to take a minimum number of IB classes, write an extended essay, take a Theory of Knowledge course, and get a high enough cumulative score on all of your IB exams.</p>