<p>Again, I don’t know if it still works the same way, but it used to be that you could qualify to take the AIME through the math contest in my previous link. </p>
<p>Don’t drop bassoon now unless you hate it. Wait to see if you can handle it all in 9th grade. If you can not, THEN make choices BASED ON WHAT YOU ENJOY. If you can do all of them successfully and ENJOY them, then continue. </p>
<p>I really don’t know how to explain this but the most miserable young people I know are the kids who did a long litany of things in order to get into a top school and then didn’t make it anyway. Do NOT be one of those kids.</p>
<p>Leave yourself open to other career possibilities and interests. Another group of miserable people are those who plan their whole lives around being physicians and then realize half way through college that either (a) they are unlikely to be admitted to med school or (b) they really don’t want to be doctors after all. </p>
<p>So, do not be too focused too early. You may live to regret it.</p>
<p>Thanks jonri! Ur right, i should focus less about getting into college and more on choosing what i love and excelling at it. I also do dance and am in drumline! Theres a LOT of stuff outside of school I do along with a ton of inside stuff. I love so many things! Ugh it’s gonna be hard to drop some things… Thanks anyways:)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You’re a freshman. It’s way too early to be worrying about this, and it’s way too early for anyone to give you an idea of how well you’re doing because you don’t yet have the key components (GPA, course rigor, standardized testing, etc.).</p></li>
<li><p>Stuff before high school isn’t relevant to your applications unless it’s either (a) absolutely amazing or (b) involvement in something (e.g., a sport or playing an instrument) that you’ve continued into high school.</p></li>
<li><p>I don’t think you know what a hook is. Themed ECs are not a hook. A hook is something like being a first-generation college student, legacy, having low socioeconomic status (SES), being an underrepresented minority (URM) student, being a recruited athlete, etc. Apart from being a recruited athlete, you’re born into almost every hook.</p></li>
<li><p>Pick ECs based on what you’re interested in and what you enjoy, not what you think colleges will want to see. Why? Because picking ECs you actually care about and like doing will make you (1) a lot happier, (2) more likely to do something with them that will really stick out, and (3) more able to write an essay about them. In essence, picking things based on what you like will turn into picking things that are truly advantageous in admissions. Doing it the other way around doesn’t work as well.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>–
</p>
<p>So true. The daily grind should not begin at 13.</p>
<p>Do bassoon if you really like it and want to go somewhere with it. It is a unique instrument, so if you do decide to pursue it you won’t be like the million other flute players. You clearly are ambitious, but don’t look at the next 4 years as only a way to build your resume. This is also a time for you to explore other things that interest you. Many Indian or Asian families steer their children into medicine thinking it is a sure path to a happy life, but there is a lot of education, tuition, late hours, and stress before you get to the awesome life stage. Make sure you know what you want and not just where your family is steering you. The fact is that you are a smart kid, you’re driven, and you seem to have a good support system, so you really can be anything that you want, and you have plenty of time to get there. Good luck!</p>
<p>I reformatted, leaving the things that are somewhat interesting (though nowhere near hooks) and putting my comments in bold.</p>
<p>Born in India to a poor family and suffered through average poverty until I ended up in Texas, not as poor, but still on financial aid.
Played bassoon since 6th grade, and first chair now, beating high school seniors. Ugh I hate bragging! Clearly
Been to a national spelling bee
I’m also female if that helps any over gender biases. The opposite is true–men have an advantage because more women apply.</p>
<p>Wow! I loved ur answer @snowflaktv!
And @glassesarechic, wait did you think I liked to brag? Lol no way! But I kind of have to if I’m trying to explain my accomplishments!
But thanks for the answer:)</p>
<p>Haha true! I’d never put in on an app, but nobody knows if there’s only two bassoons at my hs and they’re both freshman… In that case, being 1st wouldn’t be as much of an accomplishment! Thanks for the criticism though:)</p>