In need of some advice...

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi there,</p>

<p>I'm currently a sophomore in high school, and while I still have some time before I need to begin seriously look at colleges, I've started to research some schools. </p>

<p>I was wondering if anyone on here would be willing to point me in the right direction or offer any advice?</p>

<p>First off, a bit of information about me - </p>

<p>I'm a white male. My GPA last semester (second semester of my freshman year) was a 4.06. My courses included Honors English 1 and Honors Biology, with the rest being college prep courses. </p>

<p>I hope to major in political science and minor in journalism, or vice versa. </p>

<p>Academics:
-My current courses are APUSH, Honors English 2, Algebra 2, Geometry, Chemistry, and Hebrew 3
-I attend a well-known, high-ranking high school
-It's too early in the semester to determine my GPA, but my grades thus far are on par, if not slightly better, than my freshman year. </p>

<p>Activities:
-This will be my second year as an editor of our student newspaper. Our paper is well known in the state and recently received significant recognition and accolades at a statewide student newspaper conference. I won two high rankings from this conference, and have received an award from the school district for my work on the newspaper. Additionally, I received an award from a journalism workshop I attended this summer at a college in the midwest. </p>

<p>-I consider myself very politically active. I am the field organizer for a city council candidate's campaign, and a member of my school's Young Democrats club. </p>

<p>-Chapter secretary of a local Jewish youth group </p>

<p>-Part-time employee at a fast-food restaurant </p>

<p>-Member of the school drama department's stage crew (assisting with lights, sounds, and props for school productions)</p>

<p>Some schools that I have researched thus far, in order of my preference:
American University
Georgetown University
University of Pennsylvania
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
University of Michigan
George Washington University
Ohio University
Indiana University</p>

<p>I know my activities are a little weak, but I am in the process of becoming more involved with clubs and organizations at school. </p>

<p>I didn't want to post this in the "What Are My Chances?" forum, as I understand that it is still early, so I'm looking to see more if these schools are a realistic fit for me and if I'm heading down the right track in the admissions process. </p>

<p>Thank you in advance for your guidance.</p>

2

<p>You are headed in the right direction, don’t worry about that. Just keep doing what you have been doing, and you will have many good options.</p>

<p>Getting in is only part of the game, so sit down with your parents and run the Net Price Calculators at each website. The sooner you know which places are likely to be affordable, the better.</p>

3

<p>Those schools are all very different some are very hard to get into and some are on the easier scale. Apply to one early decision when the chance comes and that will help up ur chances of getting in.</p>

4

<p>Love your name, WestWingFan!! Me too! :-)</p>

<p>American is a great possibility for you! My D is a sophomore there and, based on your description, it would be a great match. Great Communications school, very politically active student body in the best “politics” city in the country, very active Jewish community. Also, if you can keep that GPA high, you are in a good position to get Merit Aid from them. </p>

<p>As the other posters said, keep doing what you are doing and keep doing your research! Best of luck!</p>