Is it enough?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>So I am really interested in going to an Ivy League and this is my dad's top choice for me. My grades are pretty good, I take the hardest courses possible (except in math I'm in the second hardest) and am earning A's in almost all (8th grade year: spanish 1, and Honors Algebra 1. freshman year: Honors English, Bio, Geometry, and World History 1; as well as art, spanish 2, and gym. sophomore year: Honors English, Chem, Algebra 2; fashion marketing, gym, spanish 3, and AP World History), I earned a B+ in Honors Bio freshman year. I'm a sophomore and my classes next year are some of the most rigorous of everyone's. My school doesn't do rankings, but just from talking with people I'm most likely in the top 10%. For extracurriculars I don't really do a whole lot through my school just because there is nothing that I really like. However freshmen and this year I played field hockey, I was jv this year, but I won't be able to play in the fall because I tore my acl... this means playing senior year will be a stretch.</p>

<p>I am a competitive dancer outside of school and am in my studio's dance company (you have to be invited) I do that for about 10 hours a week so that takes up a lot of time. I am also in Girls Scouts and have been since I was 5 and have earned by bronze and silver awards and am currently working on my gold. This year I joined my schools junior math league and am planning on joining the senior one next year. I also won first place at my school's National History Day (NHD) competition as well as regionals and states and am competing at nationals (NHD is an in depth history research competition). Next year I am planning on joining two honor societies and have already been accepted in student government.</p>

<p>However the one place I am lacking is summer programs. Freshmen year I wasn't able to do much as field hockey started in august and my family and I took a 2 week vacation to Hawaii so I could learn about the culture since I was born there. This summer I am having ACL surgery mid July so I won't be able to do much, however I do have a week internship as a Congressional Aide.</p>

<p>I just don't know if all of this is enough. Or if I need to do more.</p>

2

<p>Dude…tranquility. </p>

<p>Don’t try to go to a school because it your dad’s top or because it is an “Ivy”. They are all different schools with different focuses and atmospheres. Think it through; you might not even want to go to an Ivy. Don’t go through school trying to get into a good college, just do your best and don’t stress out. Do activities that you like and enjoy. Help people because you want to, or don’t and focus on more self enriching things if that is what you prefer. Just do what you want to with your summer. Do you want to get a job? Do a summer program at a University? Take a community college class or two? Sleep? Pick up a new hobby? Do whatever you want, but just make sure that you are actually doing something and not letting the world pass you by.</p>

3

<p>I am going to repeat cardoza a little bit. Thinking if you have “enough” is pretty risky. If you can accomplish more, push yourself to do more. Find what you like to do go far with it. There is never a guarantee of how much is “enough.” Also, do research online and visit the schools. Maybe it’s your dad’s top choice, but it may not be YOUR top choice. An Ivy league may not be what you need. Perhaps you can get the most out of your state school or a prestigious non-ivy like Stanford or Duke.</p>