Gone to a less competitive high school to be in the top of my class.
Done better on the ACT!! Also, cared more about my grades freshman year.I would have also started a service organization and kept with it throughout HS…
I did zero clubs / school sports as a freshman and I would go back and get involved earlier
Get involved more as a Freshman and tried harder academically the moment I got into high school. That being said, if you’re a Sophomore who didn’t do too well last year and you’re reading this, your situation is not irrecoverable. I didn’t do too hot my freshman year, but I really pushed myself over these past 3 years and I landed a spot at my dream school. Don’t give up on yourself!
Everything. Though I did get into one of my top schools on full scholarship, I still could have done far better academically. Also, more ECs and Community Service. All in all, it really didn’t matter in the end tbh.
Would’ve began studying for the SAT sophomore year instead of mid-junior year.
I wouldn’t have applied early decision. The school I’m going to is the right fit for me, but I got into a more prestigious school that I was certain I wouldn’t get into. Now I’m always going to be wondering what it’d be like to have gone there. I think I’d have ended up choosing my ED school anyway, but it bothers me knowing that I gave up the option to choose, even though I was so certain about it when I applied.
I think my S would have done ED Cornell rather than Duke…he had a good shot at Cornell ED…Duke, even he agrees they were never looking for him.
Would’ve started my supplements for RD schools much earlier, as I ended up getting deferred haha. That, and would have probably gone early for another school instead…
Id change my decision of attending a less prestigious college over a more prestigious one just because I though that it was much easier getting a high GPA at a lesser college.
I wish i could change my grades definitely
I would have been the mother that forced her kids to study every weekend instead of letting them captain their own ships, no matter how much they hated me for it. My friend was that mother and her kids are both launched and successful and are even dating nice, successful people. My children, although I adore them, are lazy.
Do more community service earlier than my Sr. year. Not get into trouble for something stupid that kept me out of National Honor Society.
Would’ve done REA or ED!!!
I would have applied myself more because I know I could have. I would have put myself out there more, not just to participate in more for EC’s, but just for my own experience.
I wish I would’ve took studying for the ACT more seriously earlier on
I wish I knew what I wanted going into the process. In december I still had no idea what I wanted, and now I do and 10 out of 11 schools I applied to do not have it 
I wished I studied harder for the math ACT section and got involved in clubs sophomore year.
I wish I was more into reading books as a kid. This would’ve paid dividends now while I struggle on the SAT/ACT English and Reading portions.
I also wish I played soccer in elementary school. I’ve become advanced in the past six years, but I always imagine how far in the sport I would’ve gone if I began in elementary school.
Apply early decision to a need blind school, don’t believe the colleges who tout financial aid not being a big deal, I pretty certain 60% of the financial aid at NESCAC colleges goes to athletes, if not more.