Law, Leadership, and Political Opportunities

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hey, I'm going into my freshman year at a large public school in California, and I am obsessed with getting into a Ivy/Prestigious school and understand the slim chances of that happening but I hope to increase that chance. </p>

<p>Firstly I'm Half Black Half Filipino which is good I guess..? I was middle school Valedictorian (lol don't even ask me why we had one) and ASB president, and I was voted class president for next year. I'm in my city's Youth Commission, and am the sole youth/teen representative for my cities update for our general plan. I do this volunteer work called called LIT (Leaders In Training) which is basically helping out with kids at Leisure Service camps. Also, I'm joining my high schools forensic team (James Logan) and we have a very prestigious one, ran by Mr. Tommie Lindsey Jr. and during our summer camp upperclassmen and coaches told me I had potential to final round in original oratory, but I guess that doesn't really matter because for know I'm just an inexperienced freshie :P. I run track, and am looking to join a few other clubs in school, and helped out with the Free the Children campaign by organizing a can food collection at my school this past year and even though what I'm doing right now is cool I feel like I'm lacking.</p>

<p>I really want to join something great, big, something that can set me apart from everyone else. I'm very ambitious and really want to do something that effects the youth of my community preferably politically (giving them more of voice, making politics more accessible) but I don't know what to do and I don't know how to start, and I know that shouldn't be an excuse but I feel like I need help.</p>

<p>Outside of that I really want to join some programs that are prestigious and can help me stand out also. I'm already looking into my cities local Rotary Club, I've seen the US Page Senate, I want to help out with Clintons 2016 campaign, get involved with Boys Nation in a few year, and try and find an interning opportunity at a local politicians office when I'm an upperclassmen. Yet there's two major problems. Firstly all of them come into play when I'm older, I don't just want to sit in my butt and say "Well I'll just wait" because if I do that before I know it, it'll be time to apply to a Harvard or a Yale and I'll have nothing under my belt. I need to do something now, so I can build connections and find more opportunities and work and grow accustomed to hardworking instead of playing freaking MMORPG's on my downtime. Two, although many of these are great ideas, I honestly wouldn't know where to start with some of them so if any of you have any ideas please let me know, and if you are aware of any others also let me know.</p>

<p>Anyways, I'd like to thank all of you for reading this, and if you're unable to offer any ideas or programs, please tell me about your College Application experience and what you think these prestigious high schools are all looking for. A very good friend of mines sister currently attends Harvard and graduated from the same school as we will be attending, and my friend says how her sister wasn't particularly special, just very well rounded, but I'm also aware of how arbitrary college acceptance is. (And she was African American so affirmative action? Would that apply to me? I definitely find myself much more culturally related to my Black side.) Again thank you for any of you that took the time to read this, have a nice day!</p>

2

<p>Well, you have already done tons of political volunteering and you have done campaigning. That’s a really good start. To be honest, there aren’t a lot of political programs for freshman. I was a Senate Page for my individual state program, but I’m not sure of California has one. I suggest you join Young Democrats in your school and try to be on your school student council. There are many summer programs out there for URMs, so maybe look into those. These programs have a requirement of being a certain ethnicity or multiracial, so that could work. Other than that, I can’t think of anything freshman oriented. You seem to be on the correct track!</p>

3

<p>Thank you, thank you! I appreciate it lots, and do you have any ideas of programs I could join in the future?</p>

4

<p>Honestly, I think it’s great that you’re so motivated, @HeartbreakJaden, but be careful. Going to a prestigious college isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. You’ll learn as you grow older. </p>

<p>For now, though, I think you just need to do research. Look up opportunities. Google is your best friend. Don’t be afraid to send emails- keep it professional, of course- but reach out to people in your community who have connections. Ask about internships. Those can be great for connections. </p>

<p>Talk to your teachers and guidance counselor as well, once school starts. They may have some more opportunities for you.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

5

<p>I would just suggest browsing around the Summer Programs section of College Confidential. You may find something you’re interested in. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Thank you guys, I found a few summer programs I can sign up for, I’m a year underage but it’s worth the shot right? Also, would entering writing competitions on Patriotism, Peace, and favorite Political figures be a good idea or?</p>