Hi! I’m a rising sophomore (school’s out for me) in high school, and I’m interested in applying for some pretty competitive programs (and selective colleges!) over the next few years. I’m involved in a lot of things: student government, DECA, music, and a student leadership board at my library. I’ve won awards for a class I’m in, and I have a GPA of 4.17 weighted. I want to show everyone that I can make a difference in my community/at my school, ideally by writing some kind of petition or doing something to change a school policy or get a new class approved, or something like that. I just want to make the school better for students, and make my resume look better. What do you guys think I should do? thanks
Without knowing your school, its policies, its class offerings, or its administration, this will be a very difficult question to answer properly.
That’s true, I probably should’ve clarified a little more - I’m just looking for general suggestions. I don’t need a specific recommendation like “you should request AP Basket Weaving”, I just want to hear if anyone’s done anything similar, or what types of student-driven changes would be most likely to work. Sorry, I’m new here (just joined today!)
Welcome to the site! I think your follow-up post is well stated and should hopefully get you some good answers.
Is there any time during your years there that you have felt a lack of something? I was disappointed when the writing contest I had participated in for several years was discontinued, leaving a lack of activities for people wanting to get involved in creative writing. So I created a club with the help from a couple of teachers. Given how many clubs you’re already in, I’m not sure if that would be the ideal solution for you – but maybe thinking about what’s missing at your school will spark an idea.
Thanks!
I actually didn’t even list all the clubs I’m in haha, I actually can’t even remember all of them, but I have a list written out. The creating a club idea is good and I like it a lot, it’s actually something I was considering, but the problem is my school is huge. The list of clubs at my school is at least 10 pages long, no joke. And I’m planning on joining more next year - RIP me, but I have too many interests and not enough time. I do appreciate it though, I have a few ideas of clubs I might start, so thanks!
What do people complain about? What do they say “I wish there were”/“I wish it were possible” (well, probably formulated differently - but you get the idea). Or have you encountered a problem then realized it affected many more people?
Find a real problem, devise a way to measure its causes/consequences etc, work with the administration to make sure they’re on board with your attempt at fixing the problem… and then fix it. 
^Don’t do this for the college apps. Do this because you want to. I had a friend who protested and was able to change the dress code, despite the ire of a lot of parents, because she felt it was unjust. Although I disagreed with her on some parts, I admire her for taking action on an issue she cared about. People who get into these competitive programs don’t change their ideas and passions for the application. They just take their interests to a level that most people don’t.
What do you think your ideal school should be? Like if you had a chance to go to a prep school like Phillips Exeter, would you go there because they are better for certain reasons? Can you make the difference between your school and those top prep school be less far apart?
Secondly, I have and have had a lot of teachers who are usually open to in-class discussions about things, see what they want and see if it fits your needs too. Then with the help or agreement of your teachers, the school will be more likely to change. For instance, if you are taking AP Physics 1 and your school does not offer AP Physics C, and your teacher is complaining about it in class. You can talk with your counsellor or even the principal for changes needed.
Be nice to a struggling kid who dresses funny. Say please and thank you to the food and janitorial staff. These things make a far bigger difference than you might think.
From an article in The Atlantic:
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/08/qa-the-miseducation-of-our-college-elite/377524/
Our HS has a program called “Circle of Friends”. It is a club where developmentally delayed students and “normal” students to Foster a spirit of cooperation and friendship among special needs students/w/ their peers.