Hello, so I really want to know my chances of getting into an Ivy League and any information that can help me boost my application is a big help. So I’m only a sophomore but I go to a raelly difficult school full of smart people. It’s a nationally ranked school if that helps. I’m taking all AP/IB (the hardest courses) offered at my school.
- My current GPA is 5.3 weighted and 3.875 unweighted.
- I am the Public Service ambassador for my school.
- I'm in HOSA which is a Medical Club that's nationally recognized. My freshman year we placed 7th in state during compettion but didn't advance to nationals.
- My friend and I organized a Cancer Walk where we raised more than $700 (this is something WE BY OURSELVES chose to do and organized)
- Freshman year: All A's
- Sophomore Year: I have one C in AP US History which is a really hard class in my school and a B in Algebra 2 which I should be able to bring up to an A.
- By the time I graduate, I would've taken at least 10 AP and 5 IB courses.
- I'm volunteering at hospitals and the like
- Placed 2nd nationally in a French Competition
- By junior year, I most likely would be involved in research in a nearby college dealing with neurology or cardiology.
- I know that I need to have a good SAT and ACT score and am working towards that this summer.
- I'm also taking classes at a community college this summer.
- I love poetry and am thinking about entering in some contests and maybe publishing a few of them? (should I?)
I’ve also had depression this year as a sophomore and had personal issues which contributed to a decline in my in physical and emotional health. I’m a hard worker and will try my absolute best to ace the rest of my classes.
I feel as if that C and B in history and math are going to be a huge downfall and most likey a rejection for my application. I’m trying to involve myself in things that I enjoy and will help me focus on my desired career goal (I want to be a doctor). If you know of anything I could do to increase my chances, any advice, it’s all appreciated very much. I’m tired of worrying myself sick so I thought that I’d ask others. Thank you in advance!
Why do you feel you need to get in to an ivy league school?
Why are you worrying yourself “sick” about getting into an Ivy League school? What would happen to you if you didn’t get into one?
Just so you know, you do NOT have to attend any particular college at any particular degree of selectivity, Ivy or otherwise. The odds are against every applicant. Admission rates are 7% or less at some of them. Are you going to worry for the next two years about this? It’s not rational.
I see that you were depressed this year. Do you have a therapist who you talk to? If so, I suggest you talk to her/him about your worry.
Ever since I was 12, I’ve always wanted to go to an Ivy League school, particularly Cornell or Brown, because I feel like I would get the best knowledge and experience at one. It would also give me more opportunities for the future. I don’t have a therapist but I do have a few friends who I can trust anything with and talk to them when I have any problems. I know an Ivy League school isn’t exactly necessary or even “reasonable” at times. However, it’s been a long-time dream of mine that I want to fulfill and I feel like I would get the most experience/exposure at a more challenging school. I know that I’m most likely not going to get accepted into one and I’ve accepted that but I still want to try my absolute best so I don’t have any regrets. I also wouldn’t mind other good schools like Vanderbilt of Johns Hopkins. Thank you for your response.
Please go read the results threads for some schools.
Colleges are not dreams, I’m not sure how 12 year olds even know about Brown or Cornell. You won’t get the best knowledge there, more than other top 100 colleges. It doesn’t matter what college you attend for med school, just your GPA and premed experiences.
You are doing too many activities, get rid of some and focus on what you love. What’s the point of a CC class over the summer?
Big mistake to have this as a dream. You’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Many, many colleges will suit your needs.
I am more worried that you said you were depressed but you do not see a therapist. Talking to friends you trust is absolutely not the same as having a trained and degreed psychotherapist, who TREATS you for depression using psychotherapeutic methods. Seems like you have anxiety too, based on your user name and what you are telling us here. I’m concerned that you are going to crash. Please talk to your parents about seeing a psychologist or social worker therapist who specializes in teens.
P.S. You don’t have to go to an Ivy League school.
It’s all too common for smart kids to put so much of their self worth trying to get into selective schools, that they lose their identity in the process. The whole “dream school” is based entirely on distortion and misconception. They trade-off their identity and self worth for prestige. Prestige is an irrational emotion that feeds off the approval of others. It’s so powerful that it drives people to do crazy things, like spend $250k on a bachelors degree, or $80k on a commuter car to drive 15 minutes to work. If I were you, I would talk to a skilled licensed therapist about this.