<p>Where can I begin. I'm going to be a junior, I have completely no idea what I want to do in the future. So that means no clue for what I'm going to major in. It's possible I'll be somewhere in the science field, since that's where my mom wants me to be. But other than that I see no use of college for me if I have no set goal. </p>
<p>I've done like what, six hours of volunteering? I don't even have a record of those hours since they're from key club that I stopped going to (due to not getting any rides to the events, plus I had wanted to avoid people that were in the club who I was uncomfortable being around with)
I see people with hundreds of volunteer hours, job experiences, etc... things that I haven't gotten into.</p>
<p>And I haven't even started trying to get scholarships. I tried to last summer but all I got was email spam. So financially I'm not even prepared for college. </p>
<p>And to top it all off, I haven't even started studying for the SAT / ACT :(
(It's been like 3 weeks since school has been out and I haven't begun my summer assignments.)
I'm screwed. I'm screwed. I'm screwed.
I don't know what to do for the SAT/ACT. Idk which one to study for! And next year I'm going to have to start filling up college applications :( </p>
<p>I play a sport, tennis. I'm on the JV team however, but hoping for varsity my senior year. My grades in school aren't bad. I have an overall GPA of a 4.208 (I screwed up the first semester of my freshman year) I'm taking honors/AP, but I don't have a good feeling on how I did on my first AP test. I know I'm decent grade wise, but if I barely do anything extra circular what's the point.
I'm going into my third year of art, I am sort of creative... So hopefully colleges will see that?
But just one sport and above a 4.0 GPA?
That's all that can be presented on my applications?
How is any of that impressive! Colleges would probably even turn down an application from a person who finds a solution to the lack of water supply in this world! </p>
<p>And it's not like getting that GPA came easy for me, I struggled so much. All my grades had been on the borderlines. I had wanted to give up so many times at some points. My sophomore year was a very stressful one. It had also been my first year of doing a sport. I tried as much as I can to get myself out there, be more social, everything that I've always kept myself away from. I guess I am out of my shell now.. Although
I tried, but I'm still not good enough.
I'm behind most people.</p>
<p>I’m so sorry for all of you who had to read this rant. I don’t know if this is the kind of stuff that gets posted on these forums. As you can tell I’m really stressed. I’m on my summer break and freaking out because next year I’m going to have to prepare for my future. It’s 2AM in the morning and I can’t sleep because this just came to realization to me. I don’t know if I can handle it any longer. I pushed myself way over the edge this school year. I’ve never been relaxed. And when I am I feel guilty, because I should be doing something that’s good-for-college-related. </p>
Not everyone needs to go to a four-year college, but you shouldn’t give up on the idea just because you don’t know what you want to major in. Most college students change their major at least once, which means most high school students don’t completely know what they want to do yet. It’s good to have some idea of what you want to study so you can graduate in four years, but you still have a year to think about this.
At this point you could be looking at colleges with a wide variety of majors. Your state flagship university would be a good place to start.
College applications don’t ask about volunteer hours specifically. Your ECs can involve community service, but they don’t have to. (They also don’t have to involve sports, musical instruments, or anything else really specific. You’re just supposed to demonstrate focus, dedication, and accomplishment in whatever you do.) Do you do anything productive outside of school? What have you done during the summers?
You should run net price calculators on college websites and talk to your parents about how you’re going to pay for college. A lot of people can get need-based grants in addition to merit aid. Make sure you have a safety school, both financially and in terms of admissions.
Most of your merit aid will come from the colleges you apply to, not from outside sources (i.e. things you find on Fastweb). Figure out what colleges you want to apply to, and then see what kind of merit aid they give and what you have to do to apply for it. In many cases they’ll automatically consider you for merit aid when you apply, and you won’t have to do anything special to apply for scholarships.<br>
If you do want to look for outside scholarships (which are usually pretty small), your best bet is probably talking to your guidance counselor about scholarships being offered by local organizations.
Have you taken the PSAT or any other practice tests?
Since you’re talking about weighted GPA (or something else on a non-4.0 scale), 4.0 doesn’t mean “perfect” and “above a 4.0” won’t mean anything to colleges on its own if they don’t know your class rank and the method used to calculate your GPA. Selective colleges generally either recalculate your GPA using their own standards, or just eyeball your transcript to see what kind of grades you got and how challenging your classes were relative to what your school offered.
AP scores can be self-reported on the Common App, but they don’t play a significant role in admissions (unless you’re applying to certain universities outside the United States).
Grades and test scores almost always come before ECs. The main reason selective colleges care about ECs is that most of their applicants have good grades and test scores, and they need a way to differentiate among them because they can’t accept everyone. In the grand scheme of things, most colleges don’t need to care very much about ECs. </p>
<p>You’re not screwed at all. You’re looking at things all wrong and being melodramatic. Stop comparing yourself to other people. You’re good enough. </p>
<p>Do the best you can in school. You don’t have to plan your life out just yet. You don’t have the necessary information to do that anyway. Take an SAT and an ACT book out of the library and do a practice test of each to decide which one you want to study for. </p>
<p>Live your life, be happy and do your best to try to be the person you want to be, while liking the person that you are. That part has nothing to do with college. That’s just life. </p>
<p>In the spring, with the help of a guidance counselor, choose some colleges to look at. </p>
<p>There are many many colleges, and if you do your homework and choose a balanced list, you will have several to choose from. </p>
<p>There are many paths to happiness & a fullfilling life that don’t include college. Consider pursing a trade & working. You can always decide later to do college. </p>
<p>Military is a viable option too. Many of my in-laws did military 1st, then college after. </p>
<p>I think too many kids get pushed into college, who aren’t cut out for it at all, or aren’t ready for it straight out of HS.</p>
<p>Re Lax. GMT’s advice is great if you were actually a poor student. Depending upon your school’s gpa weighting, it sounds like you are in the upper 10-15%. </p>
<p>Studying for SAT and ACT is highly overrated. It is mostly a scam to get money from people who believe that if they just get a bit higher score they will have a great life.</p>
<p>If you have never taken a standardized test, then you may want to do some familiarization from a structure standpoint. Otherwise, you seem like a smart enough kid. You will do fine.</p>
<p>If your goal is to go to Harvard or Stanford or a similarly elite school, then you may need to push it a bit. I am not getting that from your post.</p>
<p>Deep breath. <ahh> Good scores and GPA will get you into the vast majority of colleges. Only the most selective can afford to reject high performing students. (when I say good scores, I mean above about a 1200 Core SAT or a 25 or so on ACT, not the uber scores you tend to see here).</ahh></p>
<p>It is good that you at least acknowledged that you are behind. What you’re lucky to have done is realized this before the end of junior year. That means you still have an entire year to catch up and do the best you can. Take this acknowledgement as an opportunity to now at least attempt to match those who you aspire to equal, and you’ll know that you gave the most effort you could with the opportunity and knowledge that you possessed.</p>
<p>How is that remotely ‘behind’ a rising Junior would not normally have taken the ACT or SAT. Some may have had it as part of a developmental program such as Duke TIP, but only the truly obsessive among us (majority here on cc) actually spend much time prepping for the tests.</p>
<p>This student seems to be in pretty good shape. Even an average test score will get her into a decent school if she can maitain the GPA.</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ll be fine. I remember being really stressed about the college admission process during my junior year, too. With regards to the SAT/ACT prep, it’s totally okay that you haven’t started studying-- you still have lots of time! I actually didn’t start studying for the SAT until January of my junior year, and I thought I was screwed since my friends had all taken the SAT by that point. I ended up doing fine, though. Not that I’m saying you shouldn’t start studying until January-- if you can, starting to study now would be a good idea.</p>
<p>About the volunteering, I have a friend who had 0 volunteer hours and she got into MIT. Volunteering is, in my opinion, grossly overrated. It’s not essential for college admissions, and honestly, a lot (though not all) of volunteering that teenagers do is useless and is for the sole purpose of getting into college. However, if you think it’s important to have volunteer hours on your app, you can still begin volunteering now. Just do start doing some volunteering over the summer, and maybe do a bit of volunteering on weekends during the school year, and your hours should add up quickly. I have another friend who only began volunteering after the end of her sophomore year, and she got into Harvard. </p>
<p>Most people that I know started applying for scholarships senior year, so, again, you’re fine if you haven’t started there. </p>
<p>The fact that you’re thinking this much about college shows that you’re ahead of most people. You’ll do great in your college admissions, and even if you don’t get into your dream college or whatever, don’t forget that plenty of smart and successful people didn’t attend elite colleges. What college you go to should not determine your self-worth. </p>
<p>All of the other posters have said what I wanted to say, so here’s something else:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Don’t you dare major in something because of pressure from other people. This is a great way to end up in a field you don’t actually like or have talent in. I wanted to major in engineering because everyone around me told me I should, and I went through a lot of stress with this and recently discovered that I want to be an English major. My grandmother (a computer science masters recipient) was very upset at me and my mom nearly cried when I first told her I wanted to major in English. And I can genuinely say I am 200% more secure and comfortable with this choice than engineering.</p>
<p>If you have a genuine interest in the sciences, then by all means, study them! Just saying that if your only reason for thinking about science is your mother’s wishes, you shouldn’t do it.</p>
<p>Don’t worry, you are not behind. Your grades are fine.</p>
<p>Now is the time to turn it up a notch.</p>
<p>Check out this book by Cal Newport: “How to Be a High School Superstar”
It will show you how to increase your extra curriculars without just joining something for the sake of joining.</p>
<p>How did you do on your sophomore PSAT ?</p>
<p>Consider taking a PSAT prep course or self-studying some this summer. The PSAT you take your junior year in October is the one that counts toward National Merit Finalist program which can lead you to some very good scholarships. </p>
<p>It is okay that you don’t know what you want to major in…many people don’t. Do you tend to like Math or Science more than English or History or visa versa?</p>
<p>And why would you try getting scholarships as a sophomore in HS?</p>
<p>Next Fall there will be college fairs around your area. Go to one and start talking to various colleges in your state, for example . See what sounds interesting to you.</p>
<p>Do something you are interested in HS or outside, whatever that may be. You are not screwed as others have already taken the time to explain. Heck, I did not even know anything regarding standarized testing studying until I almost started my junior year of high school. Take some practice tests, read some books about it, become familiar with it and you will be fine.</p>
<p>There is loads of books on the topic and just check some out over the summer and peruse them. Anyways, there are loads of people at this point that are unsure of what they are going to do, some of them are even like that once they have entered college. Don’t sweat it. Most schools have an advising program that can assist you or GC tend to help a great deal.</p>
<p>You can show a great deal in your applications. If you are interested in art, send them some samples of your work. Most have art supplements that you can submit online. Finding the path for you is the key. Don’t worry about other people are doing just worry about you and you will be fine.</p>
Prep classes are overrated and usually not necessary, but you should try to get the highest test scores possible because you can use them to your advantage. A couple of months studying for these tests (mostly with prep books from the library) lead to me getting a lot of merit aid I probably wouldn’t otherwise have gotten, and financially it meant a lot to me.
As far as arts supplements, Yale (for example) [url=<a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/supplementary]says[/url”>http://admissions.yale.edu/supplementary]says[/url</a>], “There are cases in which too many submissions, or submissions that do not reflect a high level of talent, can actually work against a candidate.” So it’s not a situation where you have nothing to lose, and you should think very carefully before you submit one. </p>
<p>All of these posts are long, but I will be short!!</p>
<p>You are FINE there are so many students in the world that are a lot worse than you who go to colleges. You are probably just comparing yourself to students on this site, which are generally in like that too 2% of the nation. Most people don’t make perfect scores. Most people don’t make don’t even make scores above a 1400/32. I’m the top of my class and I only have a 1370! So don’t stress, you will be fine.</p>
<p>Agree with @imagineer10 , you are just worried because your comparing yourself to all the people on this site who need guidance and want to get chanced for like every ivy league school. News flash, these aren’t your average college bound students. I think you definitely can get into some decent colleges. And even though you think you don’t have any ECs, having even 1 sport is a big extracurricular. Also, you have another whole year to get more volunteer hours and everything. And for the ACT, just relax and know that you dont really need to “study”… taking some practice tests would help though.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your replies, they’ve all been helpful.</p>
<p>@halcyonheather
My dedication has been towards art since last semester, it is sort of what I’ve been getting myself more into now.
I’ve already looked at colleges instate, the one I want to go to is UCSD, and the bright side is that UCs are looking for people with those high GPAs.
Yes I’ve taken the PSAT and the practice ACT, both I did horrible on because I’m a slow test taker (I didn’t like the PSAT) if I had more time and didn’t feel rushed through I would’ve performed a lot better. My score was I think 137 on the practice ACT test it was a range from 18-24 I think? I can’t find the packet
I did better with math.
I still have my packet for the PSAT, and I think I’m going to go over the problems I missed and retry math problems.
My class ranking is #48 out of 463, BUT it’s because my GPA from my freshman year wasn’t that great. I believe that puts me in the top 10%? My grades are A’s and some B’s. I take as many rigorous courses my school offers. </p>
<p>@ClassicRockerDad
I just feel like every second I am being pushed and told to do better and it’s been too much to work up to everyone’s expectations. But it’s not like I’ve completely allowed school to take over my life, I’ve allowed myself to have some fun this school year Thank you though, I think later on during my junior year I’ll talk to my counselor. @GMTplus7
I have actually thought about just starting college the winter after high school rather than the fall. But would that affect my acceptance chances if I don’t start in the fall?
@Torveaux
I’ve taken those standardized/practice tests, did awful. But it was because I had no idea how they would be like, like the time limit for instance. I’m a very slow test taker who second guesses herself a lot.
And no, not aiming for the Ivy Leagues. Just the UCs B-)
And wait so you’re counting a 1370 as a good SAT score? (I got a 137 on the PSAT)
I can try to maintain my GPA, or at least keep it above a 4.0. But if I got a B on my first AP class but semesters how will I do with four APs junior year? (btw one of the APs is art, easy A unless the teacher catches me doing homework again hehe)
@hiddenmelody
This is going to sound dumb, but what year am I suppose to take the SAT/ACT? A lot of people say January my junior year and others say sometime my senior year. I don’t think I’ll be ready in January, especially with finals :-< but thank you for sharing your experience, I feel more relieved and less rushed now.
And I know what you mean about the people who don’t genuinely volunteer! The one time I volunteered I just saw teenagers hanging around, somewhat helping… not doing much. I thought what was the point. I didn’t have any of my friends with me so I ended up translating for people at the area I was helping with. It was a nice experience though. Wish I was able to volunteer more. Next year I’m joining again if I can get myself rides to the events.
You’re right, what college I go to doesn’t determine my self-worth, thank you:)
@LAMuniv
My whole life I use to tell myself I’ll become a dermatologist, now I don’t even know how to spell that word anymore. I gave up on that since the beginning of sophomore year, and it had been mine and my mom’s “dream job” for me since the sixth grade.
I’ve thought about interior design, forensics, psychology, oncology, research, and even novel writing!
I want a career that can make a change in this world. Sometimes I’ve had dreams of there being a cure for cancer… which is why I was thinking about oncology. @bopper
I did horrible on the PSAT, got a score of 137. Did better on the math portion. If I had more time I would’ve scored higher.
I’ll be honest, I don’t like anything. I don’t like math/science or history/English. But if I had to choose I’m more on the science side. I do enjoy learning history if the teacher is amusing, like my AP world teacher was this year. It all has to do with how the teacher is.
And yes, this time I am definitely going to the next college fair we have! </p>
<p>Once again thank you everyone for your responses! It really means a lot to me and I now feel more relieved. </p>
<p>@lovelyshores Any of the things you mentioned would be amazing (novel writers FTW!) but keep in mind that if you’re determined enough, you can make a difference in the world regardless of the field you’re in. (there goes my one optimistic quote for the week)</p>
<p>OP, the ‘speed’ portion of the tests is intentional. Sometimes simply test taking techniques can help such as skipping over questions rather than getting bogged down. Sometimes OCD types have a hard time with that.</p>
<p>The UCs likely have some formula that address their basic requirements. Here in Texas, the state schools all have different combinations of grades, rank and test scores that can ‘assure’ admission. </p>
<p>There is also a key to observe on the tests. 3 sections are not equal. The Math and Critical Reading are very important on the SAT. Many schools only use the Writing for placement. Be sure to know the policy of the school. Others look at it all equally.</p>
on the practice ACT test it was a range from 18-24 I think? I can’t find the packet 
Thank you though, I think later on during my junior year I’ll talk to my counselor.