Just started sophomore year and worried about college and future. Any advice?

Applying to College
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<p>So I just started sophomore year in a new high school. Pretty awkward and weird since I'm pretty much clueless and know just about nobody in the school.</p>

<p>My parents were divorced back when I was in middle school. Back then, I used to play soccer, play the piano, and do swimming. After the divorce I just stopped doing all those activities. I lost interest in them plus with my parents split up, it was difficult for my mom to find the time to drive me to soccer practices and piano lessons.</p>

<p>For my freshman year, I didn't do any activities. I did tryout for track but unfortunately didn't make it :(. </p>

<p>Right now, I'm just starting to worrying about my future and whether or not I'll make it into the college of my choice. I would like to get into UVA but if not then JMU, VT, or VCU would be fine.</p>

<p>Grades are always my first priority. I always do my best to keep my grades all A's. Lowest grade I have on report card so far is a B. I take the hardest classes that I'm allowed which includes pre-ap and any AP classes they allow (ap world history this year). I'm also taking Algebra II this year. For junior and senior year I have no excuse not to take the harder classes they have either. AP English, Calculus, Chemistry and Physics and all of that.</p>

<p>So right now my concern is about extracurricular activities. I'm not like SUPER interested in any sports or clubs like some other people at my school like maybe those football fanatics or those kids in all these sorts of clubs. I only live with my mom, and she goes to work most of the time trying to provide for our family. I have a little brother who is just 5 years old and its my responsibility to watch him. </p>

<p>Like I said, I'm just concerned about my future and where I'm gonna be in college. What do you guys suggest? I'm not interested in clubs or sports, I mainly focus on my grades and take challenging classes. To be honest, I think the reason is that I really have no friends I know that do any of these clubs/sports plus even if I WERE to do key club for example, it would be hard for me to get a ride to any events to volunteer. There's also a part of me I guess that is "lazy". With all these assignments that will be piling up, my mom gone at work most of the time and me having to watch my little bro, its pretty difficult to find the time and interest for any extra activities. </p>

<p>Again, I'm just really concerned about how doing no extracurricular activities will affect my chances of getting into colleges in the future. Any advice you guys have for me would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>

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<p>What do you like to do? </p>

<p>Is there a local nursing home you can bike to?</p>

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<p>Good grades, and good ACT or SAT scores will count for a lot at a many colleges and universities. If you can’t fit in any ECs because of your family responsibilities, don’t worry about that. Being in charge of the home front is a valid out-of-school activity.</p>

<p>Sit down with your guidance counselor, and find out if the universities on your current list care whether or not you participate in any ECs. Many don’t. </p>

<p>But more importantly, find out from your mom and dad just exactly how much they are truly ready, willing, and able to pay for your education each year. Often there are huge money issues for children in divorced families. For example if your dad isn’t able or willing to pay one cent, and your mom is really strapped for funds, then there might not be any spare change left over for your education and you will need to have the grades and exam scores for big scholarships. If that is the case, go read through the threads in the Financial Aid Forum.</p>

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<p>Depending on how old your little brother is, maybe you could take up something at home like a blog, self study a class, poetry, programming, art… :)</p>

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<p>Or search for “citizen science” and look for something you can do at home (there are projects you can get involved with using your computer or something you can just monitor in your neighborhood). Agree that something like Coursera classes are another idea. Sometimes political candidates or causes need people to make phone calls for them and you can do that from home. And are there any clubs that meet just during lunch you could join? One of my kids was in the school writing club, and they met at lunch once a week. Do you live near someplace where maybe you could volunteer on Saturdays (when maybe your mom is home for your brother) – like the library? Another poster mentioned poetry – there are a lot of online poetry competitions and ways to get your poetry published through them, so that is something that can be worked on from home/on your own time.</p>

<p>I would say try to find at least a couple of things to do. And explain on your college app that you haven’t done many activities because you are responsible for watching your younger sibling while your mom is at work.</p>

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<p>Paying for college isnt a concern to me right now, im more concerned about getting into college. Im just scared since i dont do any EC’s, i feel like no college will accept me despite any good grades.</p>

<p>I was thinking of maybe getting some kind of job this summer possibly. Or maybe do some volunteer work? Question is how does volunteering work? I’ve never volunteered before. How are hours documented? Do i need to join a special program or club at my school?</p>

<p>Also, would it really hurt my chances of getting into universities if i got good grades and test scores but didnt do any EC’s or maybe not until my junior year?</p>

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<p>I think explaining that you have a responsibility to take care of your brother so that your mother can work. That’s a more impressive EC than most people. </p>

<p>Do your best in school, but don’t do ECs just for college. If you have time and interest try some things out, but you have your extracurricular time pretty well accounted for with real responsibility.</p>

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<p>GrannySmith123 -</p>

<p>There is no point in getting into college if you can’t pay for it. That is why you need to find out what you can now about the money issues.</p>

<p>Truly, MOST colleges and universities in the US do not give a rip about ECs. You read a lot about ECs here because many of the people here are focused on those colleges and universities that do care about ECs. EC stands for “extra-curricular” which means outside of the school classroom. Running your home and watching a younger sibling so that your parent can work and support the family is a huge EC, and colleges and universities do recognize that.</p>

<p>Now if there are some activities at your school that you would like to participate in, and that you can fit into your schedule, and/or if there is a part-time paying job that you would like to hold, those are other things entirely. Go for them. Whether they help you with college admissions is immaterial. What is important is that they help you do things that interest you in your own life.</p>

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<p>Lol just don’t worry about college just yet trust me I went through similar situations at your age ;3 and the led me with a few bad grades :confused: all you need to do is just focus on being an amazing student, revive your love to learn and mingle in clubs and with friends. Sooner or later you’ll find inspiration just keep yourself up to date on current events in education</p>

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<p>First off, thank you for all the replies! I really appreciate the help from you guys!</p>

<p>If I can’t pay for my college, I was thinking of just getting a loan or going to NOVA for 2 years and then transferring to UVA for my last 2 or 4 years? </p>

<p>Also just curious, does anyone know if UVA or Virginia Tech care about EC’s? If watching my little brother was a huge EC as you say, how do colleges verify that when I apply?</p>

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<p>If you are transferring after two years, it won’t matter about ECs in high school. But you can’t borrow enough on your own to pay for college, either, there are limits on the amount of loans a student can take out by themselves.</p>

<p>Each college has something called a net price calculator on their website. You should work with your parents to run that to see what kind of financial aid you might be eligible for. Although divorced parents can be an issue, the calculators don’t work so well unless they are a FAFSA only school that does not take both parent’s finances into account.</p>

<p>If you are thinking about community college, then do not worry about ECs at all, at least not for college admissions purposes. Unless you want to for fun, you don’t need it. Getting a job to put some money away for college might be a better idea if you can find any time for that on weekends or something.</p>

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<p>My son got into Virginia Tech with pretty minimal ECs. He did play one sport all through high school, but wasn’t a recruit-able athlete at the college level. And he did 50 hours of community service (which was mandated by his high school). And that’s about it. Your grades sound better.</p>