<p>I had the most saddening moment of realization today; freshman year is about to end. Which means there isn't much time left. Considering that there is approximately three years left, I stand no where near the expectations and requirements of the schools I had once dreamt of. I would be a rather weak applicant, which was what I had not intended to aim for from the start. I am currently attending a public high school, and I would wish for someone to give me some advice: What exactly do I need to prepare for? I understand that it is a bit early to think about this but its always good to prepare beforehand right? I am getting straight A's with an exception of one B. I am taking all honors, with math, ahead of most freshmen. Next year (sophomore), I will be taking a 12th grade math course, 11th grade English course, as well as an 11th grade science course (all honors). Of course, I will be planning on taking several AP classes too, since I will be near done with all my standard high school requirements. I have been studying piano for nine years (with 5 years at Longy Music school), I've started teaching piano for three months, I am in my school's track team, I can do acceptable art/fashion drawings (also in an Art and Asian club), and lastly I'm planning to do some jobs/extra-curricular activities during the summer. Knowing that many people may have harsh and critical judgment on my theory, I do hope that this will be respected as much as possible. Thank you so much for helping.</p>
<p>Let me ask you: why ivy league schools?</p>
<p>I was aiming for Ivy League Schools, such as harvard and Brown because I think it would be a great oppurtunity for me to be successful in life…but I was hoping for Tufts University too. ^^</p>
<p>Define success for me, will ya?</p>
<p>Go to the Ivy forums and look at the 2015 stats thread. I think shooting as high as you can is always a good thing. Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise, and if you don’t know why you really want to go there, you won’t get in anyway. Apply apply apply. Just make sure you have safeties and matches.</p>
<p>Okay, thank you.</p>
<p>LOL Kiddo, let me tell you something: don’t be a mindless drone that follows what society tells you is the best thing in the world. Do not get caught up in that. Think for yourself. Always ask questions like why and how. I highly suggest that you really think about your goals in life and why those are your goals. Really think about it kid. I am not saying you can’t get there, I am saying that you might be going there for all the wrong reasons.</p>
<p>I have a pretty set reason on why I’m getting there. I have all my majors in mind too. I just need a little advice on what I need to do to help me get there, so I have a better chance in getting to the schools I wish to. I have been thinking about this for almost my whole life now. But thanks for the opinion anyways. :)</p>
<p>^^I thank the non-existent heavens for your presence on this Forum.</p>
<p>Typical CC responses. Someone wants to go to a highly ranked college so they’re a mindless drone. The Ivy League contains good schools, and by your mentioning them, most people on CC will assume that it is all you care about. When you start a more detailed college search and visits in junior year you’ll find lots of schools that you may like more–or you may not. Don’t worry too much about where you want to go now.</p>
<p>Keep high grades throughout high school in rigorous courses. Start preparing for PSATs and SATs in the summer after sophomore year (not too much, but keep reading good books to improve vocab and reading comprehension, study vocab words, and take some practice tests to see where you stand). Find extracurriculars that are interesting, unique, and passionate. In a few years you are going to have to write about various personal subjects. Don’t worry too much about college admissions until junior year, though. It’s not worth it. Just get into a balance of academics, extracurriculars, and leisure.</p>
<p>the ivy league ARE good schools. and it’s good to aim high. but you should obviously remember that your success in life isn’t dependent on whether you get into an ivy or not and that no one cares which college you went to after graduation. you need a balance that fits you. 
my ranting aside, you seem like you have as much chance as most of the other applicants. your EC’s and acedemics are pretty good, so you have a chance. not a large chance (no one does anyways), but a chance.</p>
<p>you do realize that ALL the ivy’s are not the same?!?! Each one is unique in it’s own way. My son didnt’ apply to all of them for the sake of saying he got into an ivy school. It’s very immature of you to think that simply attending an ivy will bring success.</p>
<ol>
<li>figure out what you want to do for your career</li>
<li>research the schools to see if they offer what you need</li>
<li>apply because the school will give you the knowledge for your field of study</li>
<li>STOP thinking Ivy’s are the best for every major choice.</li>
</ol>
<p>I say these things because I feel that too many parents put pressure on kids to go to Ivy schools when it may not be the best choice for them. Best of luck</p>
<p>The reason why people on CC suspect a mindless drone when one says “The Ivy Leagues” is because</p>
<p>1) The Ivy League is an athletic conference. The schools are very prestigious, but they don’t hold a lot in common aside from that. Half them are in buzzing urban areas and the other half are in sleepier suburbs or rural-ish areas. Some are large research-focused universities that have more grad students than undergrads whereas others are smaller, more undergrad focused places. They run the gamut from Columbia, which has a strong required Core, to Brown, which has no general education curriculum at all.</p>
<p>and</p>
<p>2) There are a lot of other awesome colleges that are just as good or better than some of the Ivy League universities, so it always seems peculiar when people limit themselves to the Ivies.</p>
<p>Wow, I have to commend you for jumping on this so early–I didn’t bother worrying about college applications until the summer before my senior year…</p>
<p>To answer your question, by the start of your senior year, you should be able to show what you’ve done in your life, with emphasis of course, on the last three/four years. Admission officers want to get to know you as a student, and to some extent, as a person. So, your job now is to find your “niche” if possible. Try new things, join new clubs, and if you love an activity, stick with it, because it helps to have multiple years of involvement in something. It looks like you’re very dedicated to piano. That’s good; if there are any piano competitions near you, try to play in them!</p>
<p>As for your grades, you seem to be doing really well. The rigor of your classwork isn’t a problem seeing as you’re already taking higher level core classes. Again, just aim for your best. That’s all they could ask for. When it’s time for you to take the SAT or ACT, you can do a little preparation over the summer (self study, etc.) if you need to. I know there are guides on here that will help.</p>
<p>That said, don’t focus too much on college. And I would disagree–there’s still a lot of time left! Have some fun, because it’s high school Good luck!</p>
<p>Sit down with your parents and ask them how much, if anything, they plan to contribute towards paying for college. And, spend time finding safeties that you can honestly see yourself attending (academic and financial safeties).</p>
<p>Thank you all for your helpful comments. I will keep everything in mind, while I carefully go through high school during the next three years. I apologize for not making myself clear; I am aiming for Ivy League colleges, because it is indeed my dream…but I will not die and collapse if I do not get in one. I am aware that there are many other colleges out there that are also outstanding, and I respect people’s choices and opinions. However, I prefer Ivy Leagues because the field I want to work in requires a lot of qualified education… Everyone has their own dreams, correct? Generally, I would just like to thank all the help I got from everyone. :)</p>
<p>^What fields are you looking at?</p>
<p>You can get more than a qualified education even if you don’t go to an Ivy. You know Stanford isn’t an Ivy, right?</p>
<p>What is “qualified education”?</p>
<p>@glassesarechic- Well, I want to do something in the medical field. I haven’t exactly decided on a particular major yet (I’m still only a freshman! ^^ ), so I’m just taking the classes I enjoy and that will support my studies. I’m thinking; an orthodontist, a dentist, a pharmacist, or an Optometrist.
@Ilyana- Yes, I am aware of that. I am actually aiming for Tufts University too (which is definitely NOT an Ivy League school).
@mokosatsu- I’m not saying that there aren’t other schools that will provide you with “qualified education”. But I mean, they are called Ivy Leagues for a certain reason. They must have extremely competitive students/professors as well as their education system. ^^</p>
<p>Just because I am considering attending Ivy League schools, many people are either offended by my decision, or they think I am a mindless little girl. I do know about the other choices and colleges too. And again…I’m not saying that they suck. I would just like some ADVICE on what I need to prepare for. ~For ex: Any test (SAT, ACT, PSAT…etc.), any clubs, sports, jobs, services…etc. I am interested in applying to Ivy Leagues. That’s all to the story. I hope you guys understand.</p>