JUNIOR look for advice!

Applying to College
1

<p>*EDIT: The subject should say looking for advice, not look for advice. =)</p>

<p>Hey everyone! This is my first post, but I've spent some time reading around the site - I love it! My name is Billy, and I'm a junior at a small, private, Catholic school in Virginia. I am a white male who's looking for some guidance from all you experts out there! =) Thanks for all advice and thoughts - good and bad!</p>

<p>GRADES:</p>

<p>(Weighted)</p>

<p>8th Grade - 98.6667
Freshman - 99.4286
Sophomore - 100.1351
Cumulative - 99.5977
Q1 Junior - 104.5</p>

<p>AP: This year, just biology & US history. Next year: calculus, government, French, literature, possibly statistics or chemistry</p>

<p>Since my school is very small, it doesn't release class rank to colleges. I know, however, through talking with peers and such, that I am 3rd out of about 65.</p>

<p>TESTS:</p>

<p>PSATs:
Sophomore - 203
Junior - 209 (76 Math, 68 Critical reading, 65 Writing)</p>

<p>SATs - Taking this month, studying hard.</p>

<p>Will be taking SAT II tests and possibly ACT.</p>

<p>EXTRA-CURRICULARS:</p>

<ul>
<li>Key Club, Vice President</li>
<li>Film Club, President & Founder</li>
<li>National Honor Society (Going to run for President next year)</li>
<li>Applying for the VA Governor's School this summer in the humanities</li>
<li>Volunteering at the local library</li>
<li>Volunteering at a local nursing home</li>
<li>Varsity tennis (since 7th grade)</li>
<li>Varsity cross country (since 9th grade)</li>
<li>Church youth group</li>
<li>Acolyte at my church, team leader</li>
<li>For the past five summers, I went to a summer camp in New Hampshire for seven weeks. It's not an average camp; it teaches leadership and morals. I've had tons of memorable experiences through hiking, camping, and many other activities. I've done probably 100+ hours of community service through trail work there as well. I'm sure I'll be able to write some great essays with it. I was also elected a Captain-of-Industry there, but I think that I won't put that on my application, since it's such an obscure title.</li>
</ul>

<p>AWARDS (lacking):
- Outstanding dedication award for Key Club - 30 hours or more of service (Sophomore)
- 10th in VA on the National French Exam (Sophomore)
- Will likely be commended for my PSATs</p>

<p>ESSAYS & RECOMMENDATIONS:</p>

<p>Obviously haven't started, but I have some teachers in mind, and I will be putting a lot of time into my essays.</p>

<p>LEGACY:</p>

<p>Massive legacy at the University of Virginia - entire mom's side of the family. We still give a considerable amount of money. My dad went to Vanderbilt. My entire dad's side of the family, except for my dad, went to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.</p>

<p>I know it's early, but I have begun thinking about colleges. Here's a tentative list:</p>

<p>University of Virginia
James Madison University
Tufts University
Boston College
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Northwestern University
Georgetown University
Brown University</p>

<p>So, what are your thoughts? Am I aiming too high? What are some other colleges I should think about? What should I be doing better or differently?
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this!</p>

2

<p>Ivies are reaches for everyone. </p>

<p>That said, I think you have a really excellent chance at every school on your list.</p>

3

<p>Any idea in what you plan to major in?</p>

4

<p>Also, as far as legacy's concerned, I'm pretty sure that ONLY parents and siblings count. So you wouldn't be a legacy at Michigan.</p>

5

<p>Thanks so much for the comments!
I would love to major in political science, and if I decide not to, I'll probably end up doing something general like literature.
And I had a feeling about the legacy thing...that only parents and siblings count. Oh well. =)</p>

6

<p>you wouldn't be considered legacy at michigan, but it sounds likely that someone in your family knows someone there, so that could be a hope
<em>edit</em>
also, i don't think siblings count for legacy</p>

7

<p>^ My grandfather still keeps in touch with a lot of friends from there...maybe some are trustees or something? I'll try to find out.</p>

<p>And I am the oldest child in my family, so the sibling thing wouldn't matter.</p>

8

<p>bump!
anyone have some advice?</p>

9

<p>Vanderbilt?</p>

10

<p>Not very interested in it...</p>

11

<p>You might want to look at the five US Service Academies. </p>

<p>You have good leadership and athletic qualifications. They aren't for everyone and each academy is different and provides different opportunities.</p>

<p>I would especially recommend looking into the US Merchant Marine Academy. Kings Point provides more options upon graduation than any of the other Academies and a unique opportunity to spend a year at sea. You can serve either active duty in any of the services including the NOAA Corps (NOAA has a fleet of 16 ships that map the oceans and other interesting stuff) or work anywhere in the US Maritime industry.</p>

<p>Again, they aren't for everyone, but are worth looking into.</p>

12

<p>Thanks for the idea - hadn't thought of it!
I'll have to look into it!</p>

13

<p>hey man.
I am sure that you will get into pretty much all the colleges you want.</p>

14

<p>thanks! =)</p>

15

<p>bump please!</p>

<p>I took the SATs last week! =)</p>