<p>I just started the 10th grade, and Im going to real high school for the 11th and 12th grade. I need some advice on what to do through high school. You guys must understand Ive been homeschooled for the past 13 years, so Im a little freaked! I lost my mom this past September and Im going through a huge transition. I know its highly competitive for Ivy league Universities, but I need advice on how to increase my chances. I aspire to become a brain surgeon, and Im a REALLY talented artist .not to brag. My 9th grade year GPA is 3.70 ..because my mom got diagnosed with breast cancer, multiple myeloma, congestive heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension. She had to stop working, so me and my sister helped her out a lot. There is only 4 African American female brain surgeons in the world, I hope to become the 5th : )</p>
<p>I’m sure you will get some good advice. I would just suggest you not get too hung up on one school ( or one career for that matter)!</p>
<p>How many AP classes should I take?</p>
<p>Take as many AP classes as you think you can handle, but don’t stress yourself out of a good high school career, and don’t take AP classes for the sake of taking AP classes. Take AP classes because you want to take them and because you love the challenge. </p>
<p>I recommend prepping for standardized tests. I’m finished now, but I sorta regret not prepping for them. </p>
<p>Engage yourself in your passions (it seems to be art). And write some killer essays, which seem to be the key in college admissions. </p>
<p>Harvard has the lowest admit rate, so there is no formula to gaining admittance. You can only try your best.</p>
<p>Work on social skills.</p>
<p>^ Well there’s a case of stereotyping if ever I saw one.</p>
<p>^ lol. this message is now long enough.</p>
<p>Wow cgarcia , your an idiot. I danced ballet for over 6 yrs, and I have friends. I’m very well rounded.</p>
<p>I would like to attend Harvard in the future, then John Hopkins. If I’m not accepted to Harvard that’s ok. I’ll do what I love, and work hard. I’ll apply to multiple Universities I take interest in. If Harvard doesn’t accept me, I won’t let that stop my perseverance to peruse my dreams. Thanks for all the tips and advice : )</p>
<p>Toriart</p>
<p>If you are homeschooled, you have a very flexible schedule and can pretty much take whatever courses you want,at whatever level you want, so long as you have an adequate preparation for it. Sign up to take the SAT subject test for when you have covered the materials in the test (check the College Board, buy or borrow some SAT prep books for both practice and review of what the curriculum covers. The best time to take the SAT subject test is right after you have completed a course. Check the College Board for deadlines for signing up for the SAT-subject tests.
If you have been covering AP-level materials, do sign up for the AP tests as well; they are administered only in May; you can sign up to take them at your local high school even if you are not attending it. If you are studying for AP courses, chances are that you will be well prepared for taking the SAT subject tests. The big exception is Physics.
In October of your junior year, take the PSAT. It is given only once a year. If you did well, take the SAT soon afterward. The PSAT makes use of old SAT questions, so the level of difficulty should be similar. Over the next few months, you can take more SAT-subject tests as needed. Not all colleges require SAT subject tests. Harvard and perhaps one or two other colleges require 3 (the exact type of subject tests depends on each college, so you need to check their admission websites); others require 2 (again check for types). If you are not satisfied with your scores, you will have other opportunities to retake both the SAT and SAT subject tests during your junior and senior year.
As for how many AP courses you should take altogether, there is no rule. It depends on how many you can comfortably handle given you level of preparation, strengths and interest. School scheduling will also play a part. Many students take AP-USH and AP-Literature as a pair, often in junior year. Many also take AP-Calculus AB or BC together with AP-Physics C if they are interested in math/science. Some take AP-Euro history and AP-Language, again as a pair; students interested in sciences will also take AP-Chemistry and AP-Biology. You certainly don’t have to take all these!</p>
<p>^ Ok, Thanks a trillion for the advice :), I really appreciate it :)</p>
<p>Is it ok if I wait till the 11th and 12th grade to get involved in extra curricular activities?</p>
<p>Why don’t you want to start now?</p>
<p>“Is it ok if I wait till the 11th and 12th grade to get involved in extra curricular activities?”</p>
<p>The fact that you view ECs as a burden…sigh. I’m not sure if that is a good attitude to convey to any college.</p>
<p>Note that on your application ECs count a lot, since that is what distinguishes the 2400s. I’ve put around 8 years into my main ECs, many, many hours, and I can only hope for Harvard.</p>
<p>^ i agree with neongreen.<br>
neons unite!</p>
<p>I still advise you to work on social skills.</p>
<p>This is reason I asked if I could post pone extra curricular activities. There is a legal 'battle’ for guardianship at the moment over me. My father, who hasn’t been involved in my life for the past 16 years, wants custody of me. My siblings are filing for custody at the moment. As for right now thou, I’m in limbo. I can’t join anything, or even participate in volunteer work, because it requires guarding or parental consist. Right now I don’t have any.</p>
<p>Is there anything I can do to make up for the two years I wasn’t involved in ECs? Will attaining a recommendation from the Governor of Florida, Charlie Christ help a little? I have a few core passions , and I sincerely can’t wait until I’m able to do ECs, but I need advice for now.</p>
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<p>This sounds interesting… getting governor/mayor/presidential recommendations helps? and how much?</p>
<p>I still don’t understand how your situation prevents ECs. I play piano at home. I program at home. I build things at home. These are all ECs. I run outside. There is nothing complicated needed to do these, just passion…</p>
<p>May as well get a letter from Mr. President in the process ;)</p>